Fola’s “Catharsis” Debuts With Record-Breaking Streams

Catharsis, Fola’s debut album and follow-up to 2024’s What a Feeling has opened to record-breaking numbers on Spotify Nigeria.

Released on September 4, the 11-track project drew 10.66 million first-week streams, taking the No. 1 spot on Spotify Nigeria’s weekly chart and surpassing Zinoleesky’s Gen Z (8.94 million), which previously held the record for the biggest first-week debut by a Nigerian newcomer.

In 11 days, Catharsis has surpassed 50 million streams on Spotify, led by standout singles “You” (28 million) and “Lost” (11 million).

The album also debuted at No. 14 on the Billboard World Albums chart—Fola’s first appearance there, though short of Zinoleesky’s No. 9 peak with Gen Z. Still, Catharsis is the eighth Nigerian project to debut on the chart, joining Davido’s 5ive (No. 2), Burna Boy’s No Sign of Weakness (No. 3), Olamide’s Olamide (No. 6), Seyi Vibez’s Children of Africa (No. 8), BNXN’s Captain (No. 9), Zinoleesky’s Gen Z (No. 9), and Kizz Daniel’s Uncle K: Lemon Chase (No. 20).

Every track on Catharsis also charted on the U.S. Billboard Afrobeats Songs chart, with You peaking at No. 8 and Eko at No. 12.