‘Go for what you believe in, Be determined to make yourself a better person… to elevate in life’

‘Go for what you believe in, be determined to make yourself a better person… to elevate in life’,  That is the motto this young R&B artists lives by, and 22 Year-old Fola, takes this with him into the studio, to influence his music, along with the inspirations of artists he grew up listening to, such as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Brandy, Usher, and Beyonce.

Fola grew up in South East London, Intent on nothing less than success, Fola has worked hard since the age of 11 to develop his singing and writing abilities, growing in confidence, he took to the stage, performing in many talent competitions and showcases, in front of audiences around London. His first big moment came 2007, when he auditioned for the ITV’s,  XFactor talent competition, and beat thousands of hopefuls, to get through to the boot camp stage of the competition.

Fola has been touring this year with Grammy nominated Joshua Groban, on his Awake UK Tour, performing to thousands, and the response has been phenomenal. Fola’s debut solo track Star was released in 2011, and it’s release attracted the attention of dj’s across the UK, and established Fola with an ever-growing fan base, The track was perfect for the clubs with its Grime/pop sound, edged with an electro sound. Fola’s  new track Living a Lie is produced by DDark a UK producer and shows exactly how smooth this young talent is.  It’s a track from his first solo Mixtape Go.

We caught up with Fola, and had a little chat about his inspirations and wanted to know what is next for this rising star.

• Fola, I’ve been listening to your new ‘Living a Lie’ track and it’s great, you have an incredible voice, when did you first realize your voice was one that stood out from the crowd?
• Well I have been singing my whole life, but I think people noticed it more than I did when I got to the ages of 11/12. That was when I started really working on my craft.
• tell us about the track?
• The song ‘Living a Lie’, is actually about a relationship where the partner has been living a facade the entire time, and finally, you find out so many lies about that person. It’s like a huge wake up call. I think we have been through that, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a boyfriend, girlfriend scenario, just a general one. 
• you spent a lot of time over the years entering talent competitions, and showcases, how was that experience, as a young singer trying to make it in the UK?
• The experience, is definitely something I won’t forget. But being unknown and not having any connections, it was something I felt I had to do, and I feel that it’s a great platform for young talent to be exposed and celebrated. 
• in 2007 you entered the X factor and got as far as boot camp, how fierce was the competition there ?
•  The whole x-factor experience and being at boot-camp was FUN!!! I met so many great people and it was such a friendly environment that the competition wasn’t too cut throat. I think the audience and the TV crew make it out like that, but when I was there, we the contestants were so cool. I still talk to a lot of the people who went on it.
• would you audition again?
• I am not too sure if I will go back, hopefully my music will take off if everything goes to plan.
• You are a songwriter as well as a vocalist, what and who inspires you to write?
• I get inspired by life in general, the things I go through and what I see others. Some things I write are fiction is all in my imaginary world, but I find those topics fun. I love Michael Jackson, Brandy, Usher, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, Beyonce …. and the names go on.
• Your track Living a Lie is Produced by UK Producer DDark, how well do you both work together creatively?
• Me and DDark work so well together. I think it’s because we both want it and our passion and work ethic is really strong. Outside of music we are actually friends so that helps too. In terms of taste we tend to like the same things musically, I think that’s a key to why we click musically.
• It’s from you Mixtape ‘Go’ are all the tracks just as smooth, or are there some upbeat R&B tracks on there ?
• Go the mixtape has so many different feels. I am a smooth type of singer, but i consider myself versatile. There are some electronic pop  club type songs there, ballads and some dub-step.
• what track would we find on your iPod right now
•  On my iPod right now, you would find,  usher (his new album), Nicki Minaj, Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, A LOT of Brandy, Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson. I am also into a lot of UK artists like Angel, Loick Essien, Labyrinth, Emelie Sande, Talay Riley and David.B. 
• where can your fans see you performing next?
•  You can catch me performing next week Tuesday on the 19th of June at Music is my drug at Brickhouse on Brick Lane.
• what’s next for Fola?
• Whats next? I am currently working on a new project. It will be an EP, so I am working hard in the studio writing and recording. Be expecting some more music video’s from the mix-tape

You can download Fola’s Mixtape ‘Go’ at www.officialfola.com