On September 10, 2026, Nigerian Afrobeat’s singer Fola confirmed his sophomore album is titled 9, set for release on October 9 2026 the date is a deliberate play on the title. He also dropped a new single at midnight the same night as the announcement, so fans don’t have to wait till October to hear something new. For someone who originally dreamt of being a professional footballer before music took over, he frames this album as the moment he steps from being part of the team to being the one who finishes.
Fola explained the “9” ties to football, where the No. 9 shirt is worn by the team’s lead striker. He put his own spin on it as the artist you call when you need a hit. The album is a 14-track project, with a song called “It’s Over” featuring Bella Shmurda and Zlatan serving as the closing track and honestly this is a massive collaboration. He said earlier this year the album was already “100% complete” so this announcement is really the rollout of a finished project. He describes his a sound Afro everything Catharsis has crossed the milestone exactly as the “9” era is about to begin. Everything about this project from the release date to the title itself says one thing clearly: I’m here. I’m ready. Give me the ball.
Fola has been on a hot run of features/singles lately: “Treat U Right” with Ayra Starr and “B4 B4” with Davido and Mayorkun. The artist is represented by Dangbana Republic and he’s framing this new album as a major show case of his artistic evolution, growth and hit making consistency. The arrival of the anticipated album will cement his artistry and contribute to his growing presence in the Nigerian music scene once again. While fans await more updates, including the project’s tracklist and featured artists. Fola has been on a steady move in recent years, establishing himself as one of the fast rising voices in Afrobeats.
