bella shmurda & fola

Biography

“Bella Shmurda & Fola” is not a single artistic persona but rather the pairing of two Nigerian artists: Bella Shmurda (Abiola Ahmed Akinbiyi), a leading Lagos-born afrobeats singer–songwriter, and Fola, a newer Nigerian vocalist signed under Bella Shmurda’s Dagbana/Dangbana Republik imprint.[3][4][5] Bella Shmurda grew up in a large polygamous family in Ikorodu, Lagos State, where he joined his elementary school band and cultural dance troupe, later completing secondary school in Badagry and earning a degree in History and International Relations from Lagos State University.[3] He broke out nationally in 2019 with the street anthem “Vision 2020,” whose viral reception and remix with Olamide transformed him into a prominent afrobeats and street-pop voice and led to the launch of his creative collective and label, Dangbana Republik.[2][3]

Fola’s story traces a more recent rise: raised in Ibadan and later active in Lagos, he began making music in high school with a small band and juggled odd jobs, including working at his father’s betting shop, to support his artistic ambitions.[1] His early releases such as “Miss You,” “Money Chaser,” “Feeling,” and “Ginger Me,” along with underground favorites like “Alone” (and its BNXN remix) and “Mandela (Effect),” helped him gain traction in Nigeria’s alt-leaning afro-fusion scene.[4][5][1] In October 2024, Bella Shmurda announced Fola’s signing to Dagbana/Dangbana Republik, describing him as more than just a business partner but family and a younger brother figure, cementing a mentor–protégé relationship that now anchors their joint branding and collaborations.[4][1]

Musically, Bella Shmurda is rooted in afrobeats and street-pop but often blends afrobeat, afro soul, and Fuji inflections with emotive, socially conscious storytelling, a style that has earned him awards recognition across Africa and a role as a key voice of Lagos street culture.[2][3] Fola works in a similar Afro-fusion lane, drawing from afrobeats, soulful melodies, and streets-inspired narratives, with critics noting the cathartic, introspective tone of his project “Catharsis” and his ability to balance prophetic, motivational themes with club-ready production.[1][5] Together under the Dagbana/Dangbana Republik umbrella, “Bella Shmurda & Fola” represent a generational bridge: Bella as the established hitmaker and collective leader, and Fola as the label’s breakout new-school act whose growing catalog and high-profile collaborations signal his emerging legacy in contemporary Nigerian music.[3][4][5]

Fun Facts

• Bella Shmurda’s journey in the arts began in his elementary school band and cultural dance troupe, long before his professional career in afrobeats.[3]
• Bella comes from a polygamous household in Ikorodu, Lagos State, and is the last-born in a family of ten children.[3]
• Fola once worked at his father’s betting shop to save money for his music pursuits, balancing day jobs with recording and performance aspirations.[1]
• Fola has described his song “Alone” as the “perfect song” for its emotional resonance with listeners, noting that its success confirmed his belief in deeply personal songwriting.[4][5]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Olamide - Senior rapper who co-signed Bella Shmurda early by recording the remix of “Vision 2020,” helping launch Bella into mainstream Nigerian music. (“Vision 2020 (Remix)”) [2019–early 2020s]
• Bella Shmurda - Label boss and big-brother figure to Fola, guiding his career after signing him to Dagbana/Dangbana Republik. (Artist development and releases under Dagbana/Dangbana Republik) [2024–present]

Key Collaborators

• Olamide - Featured on Bella Shmurda’s breakout remix, amplifying Bella’s reach across Nigeria’s street-pop and afrobeats scenes. (“Vision 2020 (Remix)”) [2019]
• Zlatan - Street-pop collaborator with Bella Shmurda on the hit “Cash App,” which earned major awards nominations and airplay. (“Cash App”) [2020–2021]
• Lincoln - Featured alongside Zlatan on Bella Shmurda’s single “Cash App.” (“Cash App”) [2020–2021]
• BNXN (Buju) - Guest on the remix of Fola’s emotionally driven track “Alone,” helping expose Fola to a wider afrobeats audience. (“Alone (Remix)”) [early–mid 2020s]
• Bad Boi OML - Featured artist on Fola’s original version of “Alone,” part of Fola’s underground rise. (“Alone”) [early–mid 2020s]
• Majix - Collaborator with Fola on the track “Mandela (Effect),” showcasing Fola’s afro-fusion and reflective style. (“Mandela (Effect)”) [early–mid 2020s]
• Wizkid - Fola has worked in the studio and performed with Wizkid, with sessions described as pivotal for his confidence and visibility. (Studio and performance collaborations discussed in interviews) [mid 2020s]
• DJ Tunez - Collaborated with Fola on music and performances, helping connect him to the broader afrobeats diaspora scene. (Singles and performances referenced in Fola’s interviews) [mid 2020s]

Artists Influenced

• Fola - Describes Bella Shmurda as a big brother and family, with Bella’s guidance and platform at Dagbana/Dangbana Republik shaping Fola’s sound and career trajectory. (Fola’s releases under Dagbana/Dangbana Republik and his project “Catharsis”) [2024–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. who does that? (feat. Bella Shmurda)
2. Al-Jannah (Uncle K: Lemon Chase)
3. OHEMA (with Crayon & Bella Shmurda)
4. Anytime (feat. Ayo Maff)
5. DOG EAT DOG II (feat. Cruel Santino and Bella Shmurda) (EZIOKWU)
6. HBP Remix (with Bella Shmurda) (Homeless)
7. Verily
8. Louder (feat. Ayo Maff & Bella Shmurda)
9. Triumphant (feat. Bella Shmurda) (Carpe Diem)
10. PARIWO (Blessed)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia