Falz
Folarin Falana (ⓘ) (born 27 October 1990), better known by his stage name Falz, is a Nigerian rapper, songwriter and actor[1] who began his career while in secondary school after forming a group called The School Boys with his friend before his professional career as a music artist began in 2009.[2] Falz became more well-known after releasing the song "Marry Me" featuring vocals from Poe and Yemi Alade.[3][4]
Falz | |
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Falz on NdaniTV | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Folarin Falana |
| Also known as | Falz the Bahd Guy |
| Born | 27 October 1990 Lagos State, Nigeria |
| Origin | Lagos |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Labels | Bahd Guys Records |
He currently owns an independent record label called Bahd Guys Records.[5] He released his debut album Wazup Guy in 2014. His second album Stories That Touch was released in 2015. He released 27 in 2017, and his fourth studio album Moral Instruction in 2019.
Early life and education edit
Falz was born in the local government area of Mushin, Lagos State, to lawyers and human right activists Funmi and Femi Falana.[6] He was called to the bar in 2012 after graduating from the Nigerian Law School in Abuja.[7] Falz completed his basic and secondary school education at St. Leo's Catholic Primary School, Ikeja and Olashore International School, Osun State respectively.[8] He is an alumnus of the University of Reading England, having graduated with an LLB honors degree in Law.[9]
Career edit
2009–2013: Beginnings and Shakara: The Mixtape edit
Falz started music as a hobby while in secondary school. He formed a music group with a friend called "The School Boys". In 2009, he released a compilation of some of his recordings as a mixtape titled Shakara: The Mixtape.[9]
In 2011, Falz released a single titled "Wahz Up Guy", then released "High Class" and "Currency", which gained him grounds in the Nigerian music industry.[9]
2014–2016: Wazzup Guy, Stories That Touch and Chemistry EP edit
On January 2, 2014, Falz was listed in tooXclusive's "Artistes To Watch in 2014".[10] On 30 May 2014, Falz released his debut studio album titled Wazup Guy, the album featured productions from the likes of Studio Magic, DJ Woske, Tin Tin and Spellz, among others. Wazzup Guy houses 18 tracks with guest appearances from Olamide, Show Dem Camp, Phenom, and Yemi Alade. Some of the tracks are: "See Me", "Toyin Tomato", "Senator", "Right Now", "Jessica", "High Class", "Marry Me", "Oh God", "The Advice" and "Cool Parry", which was critically acclaimed by music critics.[citation needed]
On 31st January 2015, Falz returned with an official single titled "Ello Bae". Actually, it was his first solo effort after the release, of Wazzup Guy and it won him several awards.[citation needed] Falz was strategic, about the launch of the music as it was launched just before the valentine's season.[citation needed]
In 2015, Falz was nominated in the "Best Collaboration of The Year" category at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards for his chart-topping single "Marry Me". It won him a nomination in the "Best Collaboration of The Year" category at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. He was also nominated in the "Best Rap Act of The Year" and "Best New Act to Watch" categories.
On 31 January 2015, he released a single titled "Ello Bae",[11] which made a nominee in the "Best Street Hop Artiste of The Year" category at 2015 The Headies award.[12]
On 3 November 2015, he announced the release of his second studio album, titled Stories That Touch, which was released on 17 November.[13][14]
In 2016, Falz won "Best Actor in a Comedy Movie/Series" at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards for his role as Segun in Funke Akindele's TV series Jenifa's Diary.[15] In June 2016, Falz was voted the winner of the "Viewer's Choice Best New International Act" category at the 2016 BET Awards.[16][17]
On October 27, 2016, Falz collaborated with Simi to release Chemistry, a seven-track EP solely produced by Sess. Falz had previously worked with Simi on the singles "Jamb Question" and "Soldier".[18][19]
2017–Present: 27 and acting career edit
On 27 October 2017, his 27th birthday, Falz released a new album titled 27 to celebrate the day. This was a surprise album, as it was not promoted before its release.[20] It contained 17 tracks including hit singles like "Bhad Baddo Baddest", "Wehdone sir", and "Something light". It featured prominent music acts like Davido, Olamide, Burna Boy, Wande Coal, Maleek Berry, Sir Dauda, Medikal, Terry Apala, and Ycee. The album was majorly produced by Sess as an in-house producer, with some tracks done by Maleek Berry, and studio magic. The album did very well and it gained several awards and nominations, including a nomination for The Headies Award for Rap Album of the Year.
In May 2018, Falz released a music video titled "This Is Nigeria" which was inspired by Childish Gambino's "This is America". It highlighted Nigerian issues including corruption and bribery.[21]
Months later, the song was banned by the NBC (National Broadcasting Commission) claiming it was a vulgar song. When Falz was asked, he said: “If they ban this song, then I do not understand them because that song is definitely not a vulgar song,”. However, Falz sues NBC for N100 Million. [22]
On September 1, 2018, Falz won "Best Supporting Actor" at the 2018 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards for his role as Quam in Tope Oshin Ogun's movie New Money, becoming the first Nigerian musician to have won the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards twice.
In August 2020, Falz unveiled his film production company with the name House21TV. While unveiling the new film production company Falz also took to Instagram to unveil an all new comedy series, Therapy, to air exclusively on YouTube.[23]
In March 2022, Falz announced on his Instagram page that he will be doing things a little differently this year having deleted all his post from the past year assuring that it’s a new dispensation by dropping is first official single for the year with BNXN also called Buju titled "Ice Cream". He also got a van with a ticketing booth imprinted with Falz Ice Cream giving spreading love to people by giving free ice cream within the cities of Lagos.[24]
Artistry edit
Falz describes his style of music as "Wahzup music".[25] It is the fusion of comic lyrics with contemporary hip-hop in a faux Yoruba accent.[26]
On 18 November 2014, Falz was ranked #9 on notJustOk's list of "The 10 Most Gifted Rappers In Nigeria 2014", stating that, “Falz’s ability to maintain a thought and get his point across in 16 barz while switching accents, infusing funny punchlines and delivering all of it in a way that makes the listener follow along is nothing short of impressive”.[27]
EndSARS protest edit
In October 2020, Falz called on Runtown and other Nigerian celebrities to join the #EndSARS protests in Lagos, South West Nigeria, calling on the government to end police brutality. The singer is vocal about issues bordering on social justice across the country. Paying tribute to the victims of police brutality, he released a music video for "Johnny", the first single off his last album, Moral Instruction. He wrote in a post introducing the song, "We will never forget the heroes that have been unlawfully slain. This is for them. For every single Nigerian life snatched away unlawfully, we must make sure we get justice." "Almost two years since I released the audio. Even more disturbing to think that as time passed, the message became more relevant."[28]
In an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour, in 2020, Falz said President Buhari's promise to reform the Nigerian police was infuriating and frustrating as he claimed Buhari has been making same promise since 2017.[29]
Activism edit
During the 2023 elections, he was a strong voice for increased participation and youth involvement in Nigerian politics, as well as other issues like voter apathy and electoral malpractice. [30][31]
Discography edit
- Studio albums
- Wazup Guy (2014)
- Stories that Touch (2015)
- 27 (2017)
- Moral Instruction (2019)
- BAHD (2022)
Filmography edit
| Name | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film/ Television | Role | Notes |
| 2015 | Jenifa's Diary | Segun | Tv series |
| 2016 | Couple of Days | Gateman | Movie |
| Tinsel | Kayode Beko-Williams | Soap opera | |
| 2017 | 10 Days in Sun City | Seyi | Movie |
| 2018 | New Money | Quam | Movie |
| Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons | Remi Martin | Movie | |
| Chief Daddy | Femi 'Famzy' Beecroft | Movie | |
| 2019 | Merry Men 2 | Remi Martin | Movie |
| Muna | Police Officer | Movie (cameo) | |
| Your Excellency | AK Famzy | Movie (camoe) | |
| 2021 | Quam's Money | Quam Omole | Movie |
| 2021 | Chief Daddy 2: Going for Broke | Femi 'Famzy' Beecroft | Movie |
| 2022 | Brotherhood | Wale Adetula | Movie |
Awards and nominations edit
| Year | Event | Prize | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Scream Awards | Best New Act of the Year | Himself | Nominated | |
| 2015 | 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Rap Act of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Best New Act to Watch | Nominated | ||||
| Best Collaboration of the Year | Falz for "Marry Me" | Nominated | |||
| The Headies | Best Street Hop Artiste of the Year | Falz for "Ello Bae" | Nominated | ||
| 2016 | 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards | Best Actor in a Comedy Movie/Series | Jenifa's Diary | Won | |
| 2016 BET Awards | Viewer's Choice Best New International Act | Himself | Won | ||
| 2016 City People Entertainment Awards | Album of the Year | Stories That Touch | Won | [32] | |
| 9th Nigeria Music Video Awards | Best Afro Hip Hop Video | "Karashika" | Won | [33] | |
| 2016 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Music Video | Nominated | [34] | ||
| Album of the Year | Stories that Touch | Nominated | [35] | ||
| WatsUp TV Africa Music Video Awards | Best African Newcomer Video | "Bahd Baddo Baddest" | Nominated | [36] | |
| Best African Hip Hop Video | Nominated | [37] | |||
| The Headies | Artiste of the Year | Himself | Nominated | ||
| Album of the Year | "Stories That Touch" | Nominated | |||
| Best Rap Album | "Stories That Touch" | Nominated | |||
| Best Collabo | "Soldier" | Won | |||
| Best Street Hop Artiste of the Year | Ajebutter22 featuring Falz for "Bad Gang" | Nominated | |||
| 2017 | City People Music Award | Alternative Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated | |
| Nigeria Entertainment Award | Best Album of the Year | Chemistry | Nominated | [38] | |
| Best Rap Act of the Year | Himself | Nominated | |||
| 2018 | The Headies | Best Rap Single | "Something Light" | Nominated | [39] |
| Best Rap Album | 27 | Nominated | |||
| Best Performer | Himself | Nominated | |||
| Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards | Best Supporting Actor | New Money | Won | [40] | |
| 2019 | The Headies | Best Rap Single | "Talk" | Won | [41] |
| Best Rap Album | Moral Instruction | Won | |||
| Album of the Year | Won | ||||
| 2020 | Best Rap Single | "Bop Daddy" featuring Ms Banks | Won | ||
| 2021 | Net Honours | Most Popular Musician | Himself | Nominated | [42] |
References edit
- ^ Osagie, Alonge (21 January 2014). . Nigeria Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 24 November 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
- ^ Sherif, OS (25 September 2015). . NaijaQuest. Archived from the original on 24 November 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
- ^ Ade-Unuigbe, Adesola (12 June 2015). "Kiss Daniel, Korede Bello, Falz, Wizkid, Olamide, Davido & More Nominated for the 10th Annual Nigerian Entertainment Awards". BellaNaija. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
- ^ Ebirim, Juliet (19 June 2015). "I have big shoes to fill as Femi Falana's son – Falz". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
- ^ Jaiyesinmi, Doyin (16 June 2012). "#TheNextBigThing:Falz is Femi Falana's son, but that's just 'shakara'". YNaija. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
- ^ Ekpo, Nathaniel Nathan (1 August 2015). . Nigeria Films. Archived from the original on 24 November 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
- ^ Ayo, Onikoyi (14 February 2014). "Femi Falanas son, Falz dumped law music". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ Tinuola, Joseph (26 February 2014). "HOW FEMI FALANA'S LAWYER SON FALZ BECAME A RAPPER". Ecomium Weekly. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
- ^ a b c Adedosu, Adekunle (2 March 2015). . Nigeria Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 7 December 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
- ^ Tyler (2 January 2014). "TooXclusive's Artistes To Watch In 2014". tooXclusive. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
- ^ "Falz - Ello Bae". 31 January 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
- ^ Badmus, Kayode (30 September 2015). . Nigeria Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 24 November 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
- ^ "Falz Reveals Album Art & Release Date of Sophomore Album, "Stories That Touch"". tooXclusive. 3 November 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
- ^ "For second album, Falz tells 'Stories That Touch'". Vanguard Newspaper. 15 November 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
- ^ Peters, Oreoluwa (6 March 2016). "How Falz got his award-winning acting break on Jenifa's Diary". YNaija News. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
- ^ Igboanugo, Ada (25 June 2016). "Falz wins first BET Award". YNaija. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
- ^ Egbo, Vwovwe (25 June 2016). "Falz The Bahd Guy: Rapper bags BET Viewer's Choice Best International Act Award". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
- ^ Joey Akan (27 October 2016). "Pulse Album Review: Falz and Simi "Chemistry" EP is lightning striking 7 times". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
- ^ Showemimo, Adedayo (27 October 2016). . Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 30 October 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
- ^ "Falz 27 album". Genius. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
- ^ AfricaNews. . Africanews. Archived from the original on 29 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
- ^ Porumba. . Porumba. Archived from the original on 1 July 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- ^ . Kingsparo TV. Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
- ^ . The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 26 March 2022. Archived from the original on 29 March 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
- ^ Onikoyi, Ayo (14 February 2015). "Why Femi Falana's Son, Falz Dumped Law for Music". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
- ^ Mukaila, Mulikat (29 August 2015). . Daily Trust Newspaper. Archived from the original on 24 November 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
- ^ . NotJustOk. 18 November 2014. Archived from the original on 24 November 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
- ^ "#EndSARS: Falz releases new music video in honor of victims of police brutality". Business Insider. 11 November 2020.
- ^ "Buhari's promise irritating; I'm not afraid to die, Falz tells CNN's Amanpour". Vanguard News. 23 October 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
- ^ "Why everyone must participate in 2023 polls - Falz - P.M. News". Retrieved 6 April 2023.
- ^ Adeuyi, Seun (4 April 2023). "Falz: Why I'm against the victories of Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu". Daily Trust. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
- ^ Adedayo Showemimo (26 July 2016). . Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 8 December 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
- ^ . naijanewsrave.com. 13 September 2016. Archived from the original on 14 October 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
- ^ Ogumka Innocent (18 June 2016). . naijavoice.com. Archived from the original on 10 September 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
- ^ "Nominations are Here! Find out who made the 2016 Nigerian Entertainment Awards Nominees List". BellaNaija. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
- ^ Mawuli, David (2 October 2016). "WAMVA 2016: Bisa Kdei, Shatta Wale, Sarkodie, Wizkid, Flavour, others nominated - Music - Pulse". pulse.com.gh. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
- ^ . thegabwire.com. 4 October 2016. Archived from the original on 21 April 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
- ^ Solanke, Abiola. . Archived from the original on 3 July 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
- ^ Ohunyon, Ehis. . Archived from the original on 4 July 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
- ^ Kehinde, Opeyemi (2 July 2018). "Africa: Nominees Revealed for 2018 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards". Daily Trust (Abuja). Retrieved 4 July 2018.
- ^ Gbenga Bada (20 October 2019). "Headies 2019: Here are all the winners at the 13th edition of music award". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
- ^ "Net Honours - The Class of 2021". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
40. https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/falz-teams-up-with-bnxn-in-new-single-ice-cream/
External links edit
- Falz on Twitter