Over the past few months, FOLA has become a household name, with his music capturing the attention of fans and critics alike. His rise to prominence began with the release of “alone” featuring BhadBoi OML, followed by a remix with BNXN. Both tracks made an impressive impact on the charts, cementing FOLA’s status as a rising star.
To close the year on a high note, FOLA released his six-track EP, ‘what a feeling’. True to his promise, the project became a standout addition to his growing discography. The EP debuted and peaked at No. 4 on the Official Top 100 Albums chart, holding its position for five consecutive weeks. Tracks like “tonight” and “mandela (effect)” further extended his success, debuting at No. 97 and No. 100, respectively, on the Official Nigeria Top 100 chart.
As the new year began, FOLA showed no signs of slowing down. Teaming up with Bella Shmurda for their collaboration since his signing to Dangbana Republik, the duo delivered “who does that?”, a track that has exceeded expectations. The song debuted at No. 11 on the Official Nigeria Top 100 chart, peaked at No. 2, and has spent six impressive weeks on the chart, amassing over 12 million on-demand streams.
This remarkable achievement has not only solidified FOLA’s presence in the industry but also earned his manager, Ini Baderinwa (also known as Melvin), the title of Executive of the Week. Melvin, a key figure in FOLA’s career and a significant contributor to the Nigerian music scene has played an instrumental role in shaping the artiste’s journey.
In an exclusive interview with TurnTable, Melvin sheds light on the creative process behind “who does that?”, his collaborative dynamic with FOLA, and the remarkable progress of the recently released EP.
TTC: Hello, and thank you for joining us. Could you start by introducing yourself and what you do?
MELVIN: Thank you for having me! My name is Melvin, and I like to think I wear many hats. Essentially, I’m a music lawyer, a talent manager, and a music business consultant, working to bridge creativity and strategy.
TTC: FOLA’s “who does that?,” featuring Bella Shmurda, experienced an impressive rise from No. 5 to No. 2 on the Official Nigeria Top 100 chart—a remarkable achievement. Could you share how this collaboration came about?
MELVIN: It’s one of those rare, deeply spiritual records that one face value doesn’t even sound spiritual. Originally, it was a complete track with a second verse from FOLA and while it sounded amazing, we felt something was still missing. Then he got Bella Shmurda to jump on it and he delivered an absolutely mind-blowing verse. The chemistry was electric, and at that moment, we knew we had something special. What was supposed to be just an EP intro quickly transformed into a major record in the making.
TTC: How did your journey into the music industry begin, and what stands out to you the most?
MELVIN: I’ve always been an entertainment and music head. From throwing parties during my university days to starting out as a legal intern at a music law firm, and even managing my artiste friends back in the day. We all have to start somewhere.
TTC: What role did you and the team play in promoting and pushing the success of “who does that?”
MELVIN: I always say it takes a village. From the Dangbana Republik team to EMPIRE and myself, everyone played their part. But at the core of it all, it comes down to the fact that it’s simply a great record. Pushing a song is never easy but when it’s a track as exceptional as “who does that?”, the odds of success increase significantly.
TTC: FOLA recently released his debut EP, ‘what a feeling’. Do you have a favourite track from the project, and how has the response been so far?
MELVIN: The response has been incredible! Have you seen how the crowd reacts when he performs the songs live? It’s crazy! You know sometimes it’s not just about taking a great product to the market but watching people connect with the project and FOLA in real time is something special. Seeing fans fall in love with the music, reading positive reviews from listeners and editors alike, is such a humbling experience. For me, every win, big or small, is worth celebrating.
Honestly, I don’t think I can pick just one favourite track. I probably have six favourites out of the six tracks. It’s a completely different feeling when you’ve been part of the process, watching these records come to life. Every single track has its own unique story, and that’s what makes them all so special.
TTC: How do you effectively balance your time across all your clients and ensure everyone gets the attention they need?
MELVIN: I won’t pretend to do it all alone, I have a team that backs me in ensuring everyone is adequately represented. However, it’s undoubtedly a lot of hard work.
TTC: Finally, could you share some of the key pros and cons of working in the music industry? What keeps you motivated through the challenges?
MELVIN: Personally, the biggest pro is the sense of fulfillment that comes from not just doing what you love, but also playing a role in helping others’ dreams and visions come to life whether that’s on the legal, business, or creative side. The major con, though, is the constant need to stay active and on your toes—be ready to solve problems by 3am.