FOLA continues to make waves in 2026 as his collaborative hit single ‘Paparazzi,’ with Shoday, officially surpasses the 20 million streams mark on Spotify.
The record now stands as one of the biggest Nigerian songs of the year so far on the platform, an impressive feat in a year packed with heavyweight releases and constant competition for playlist space. Since dropping on 2 January, ‘Paparazzi’ has steadily built momentum, growing from a fan favourite into a full-blown chart hit that peaked at number one on the Official Nigeria Top 100.
The track’s appeal lies in its balance: catchy enough to dominate playlists, yet smooth enough to keep listeners coming back for repeat plays. Produced by SB for Canny Consults and 5K Records, ‘Paparazzi’ finds FOLA and Shoday trading smooth, confident verses over a polished blend of Afrobeats and pop sensibilities, with both artists bringing their own flair to a song about navigating fame and attention with self-assurance.
For FOLA (born Folarin Odunlami), the milestone adds to a strong run of form. The Lagos-born singer, who signed to Dangbana Republik after his breakout 2022 single ‘Ginger Me’ featuring Bella Shmurda, has spent the past two years stacking high-profile collaborations, working with artists including Ayra Starr, BNXN, Kizz Daniel, Wizkid, and Victony.
With ‘Paparazzi’ still holding strong months after release, industry watchers say the song’s staying power reflects both its replay value and FOLA’s growing pull as a hitmaker in his own right, not just as a featured guest on other artists’ records.
