For those who haven’t heard of you, how would you describe your sound?
My sound is R&B fused with various genres of music. My vocal style is r&b. My tone is my sound.
Your new single “Comfortable”, what’s it about?
Comfortable is about dating someone and encouraging them to get comfortable. So many people are afraid to be themselves around someone they are attracted to. Comfortable is all about breaking that tough ice.
The visuals for “Comfortable” are very 90’s – esque, why is that?
I wanted a video that was reminiscent of the old school 90s video in an abandoned warehouse singing to the camera with dancers. All about the performance and moves.
What do you miss the most about the 90’s and why?
I miss the music and the tv shows for kids, it just brought us all together. Singers could really sing. Writers could really write, performers could really perform. Videos were much better. I just miss the greatness. Now it seems like most things are like microwave food. Fast and cheap.
What has been the best moment in your career so far?
The best moment in my career so far would have to be realizing that i have been given this gift to really change lives.
What role has social media played in your career?
Social media has played everything. Wouldn’t be able to have come this far without it. Thank god for social media. It’s hard out here being an unknown artist nobody wants to actually know you even if they did. Tough industry!
What’s the biggest influence on your songwriting?
Biggest influence in my songwriting would have to be the life we all live.
Can you expand on why you think R&B is almost a taboo in the UK?
R&B is almost a taboo right now in the uk because not a lot of people are checking for the genre like the late 90s early 00s in the uk. When has it recently charted? A lot of artist who would love to make that type of music are resisting because, everyone needs to eat. I do think if Sam Smith sang it, it would sell. I guess it would have the shock factor. We are always amazed when a white person has such a soulful voice, a black person with the same type of voice is expected. God bless the genre and I hope things turn around for the good. It is nice to know some artist are still covering the genre very well.
The UK recently agreed age restrictions for music videos, what is your take on this?
Really? I had no idea loool. That’s good. But is that really going to work? Like really? Times have changed.
Who are you backing to win the Best R&B/Soul category at the MOBO Awards?
Sam Smith!!! his album is absolute greatness. Love every song.
Stuck on a desert island, what one album would you want with you?
Oooo that question is too hard. It would have to be Brandy -full moon album. Best tone ever never bored of her sound. But I would need an MJ album to get my solo turn up to loool.
What are you listening to right now?
Currently listening to a lot of Afrobeat. So much amazing music is coming from my home land. Plus you can’t help but dance when it comes on. Infectious music.
What can we expect from you in 2015?
2015 ooo more music more visuals more gigs. Project should be released also. Can’t wait!!!
What is your ultimate goal as an artist?
I just want my music to touch people’s emotions in all types of way! I want to be a soundtrack to people’s lives.
About Fola:
Inspired by the greats of the music world like: Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Boyz II Men, Brandy, Usher and Beyonce, young Londoner singer/songwriter Fola is also set to make his mark in the world of music. Developing & perfecting his craft from the early ages of 11, Fola entered various talent competitions and showcases performing to different audiences around London.
2007 saw Fola branch out more by entering popular TV show The X-factor where he got through to bootcamp. The year also saw Fola tour with Grammy Award nominated singer Joshua Groban on his Awake UK tour. Fola continued to perform locally generating a following for himself as an artist.
Writing and recording new original material was the next agenda for the talented singer. Fola began working with talented producers, songwriters and vocal arrangers like: Maleek Berry, DDark, J Warner, DavidB, SOS, Alex E and Richard Isongs, to create great music that would represent him well and showcase his deep, smooth, sultry vocals that set him apart from other singers on the scene today. Fola’s music has been described as mainstream r&b/pop music that is universal and highly relatable in content.
Star was Fola’s first ever official single release in 2011 with UK MC/Producer DDark. The song was a pop/grime/electro club banger that did very well for both acts, opening more doors of opportunities as well as building their ever growing fan base.
Due to the great response from Star, from Dj’s across the country and fans, Fola decided to release his first solo project – GO. A mixtape consisting of some songs that he had been working on for the past 2 years prior to the release of Star. The mix-tape was a message driven body of work that dealt with love, independence and good times.
In 2013 Fola decided to change his sound and go for a more acoustic driven project – After Green, released in the summer of 2013. The Mixtape was inspired by the Kinects – Fola’s fans. A lot of people took interest in Fola’s live acoustic act and wanted to hear more of that sound recorded. After Green saw the collaboration with Femi Vessel, guitarist and keyboardist from London. Fola also teamed up with Mr Damention for Swag Back, the first song from the mixtape. Swag was also produced by Femi Vessell. The mixtape also consisted of covers of Riahnna’s Diamonds and Chris Browns’ Don’t Judge Me. Beyonce’s I Miss You was also recorded following the success of his performance of the song on reload session, which generated huge interest on YouTube. Other producers that contributed to the project Akin The Producer (Diamonds & Don’t Judge Me) & Maleek Berry (Together, Open The Gates & Round & Round).
Fola is now in a song writing duo called Pensouls with singer/songwriter David B. Both have been writing for other artists and Fola’s new up and coming EP – Promise Land set to be released in 2014. Fola has also formed a close collaboration with producer Villi ‘V Beats’ Mambu. The Open The Gates singer just recently signed to GMG Music Management, and is set to do great things in the future. Promise Land EP is a more mature, smooth sensual side and explores r&b/pop/soul styled music.
LINKS:
http://officialfola.com/
http://www.facebook.com/officialfola
http://twitter.com/officialfola
http://myspace.com/officialfola
http://youtube.com/user/folatv
http://www.mediafire.com/fola
