Fola Apologises After Mainland Block Party Show Cut Short Due to Overcrowding

Afrobeats sensation Folarin Odunlami, popularly known as Fola, has apologised to fans after his first headline performance at the Mainland Block Party was abruptly halted due to safety issues.

The concert, held on Monday, December 15, at the Balmoral Event Centre, Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, was stopped after organisers reported that the venue had exceeded its approved capacity. Overcrowding and safety risks forced the decision to protect attendees.

Several fans expressed frustration at the event, with some ticket holders claiming they were denied entry despite having purchased tickets. Complaints also centred on poor crowd management and event coordination.

Fola addressed the situation on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, apologising for the disruption.

“My people, I’m really sorry about how last night went,” he wrote. “People were hurt and that should never happen. I had to stop the show because safety comes before anything else. I hear you on all fronts, and we’re working to make things right.”

The show, which fans eagerly anticipated given Fola’s breakout success in 2025 with hits like Lost and Bye Bye, triggered a backlash online, with many criticising both the singer and organisers over the handling of the event.

Dangbana Republik, Fola’s record label, also issued a statement acknowledging the lapses and reiterating their commitment to fan safety. The label said the performance was halted as soon as it became clear that attendees were at risk and that discussions are ongoing with organisers to address the concerns.

“At no point should fans have been put in unsafe conditions. Your safety remains non-negotiable,” the statement read.

As of now, the organisers of the Mainland Block Party have not released an official statement regarding the incident.