Falz

Biography

Folarin Falana (; born 27 October 1990), better known by his stage name Falz, is a Nigerian rapper, songwriter, and actor. He began his career in secondary school after forming a group called "The School Boys" with a friend, before launching his professional music career in 2009. Falz gained wider recognition after releasing the song "Marry Me" featuring vocals from Poe and Yemi Alade.
He currently owns an independent record label called "Bahd Guys Records". He released his debut album Wazup Guy in 2014. His second album Stories That Touch×Stories That Touch16 November 2015 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 17 tracks1Kabiyesi2Soft Work3My People4Karishika5Soldier6Workaholic7Soupé8Clap9Time Difference10Mid-Flight Announcement (skit)11Celebrity Girlfriend12Chardonnay Music13Kawosoke14Love You Pass15Karishika (Part 2)16Everybody (Thank You)17Ello Bae was released in 2015. He released 27 in 2017, and his fourth studio album Moral Instruction×Moral Instruction15 January 2019 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1Johnny2Follow Follow3Hypocrite4Talk5Amen6Brother's Keeper7Paper8E No Finish9After All Said And Done in 2019.

Early life and education

Falz was born in the local government area of Mushin, Lagos State, to lawyers and human right activists Funmi and Femi Falana. He was called to the bar in 2012 after graduating from the Nigerian Law School in Abuja. Falz completed his basic and secondary school education at St. Leo's Catholic Primary School, Ikeja and Olashore International School, Osun State respectively. He is an alumnus of the University of Reading England, having graduated with an LLB honors degree in Law.

2009–2013: Beginnings and Shakara: The Mixtape

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.
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.

2014–2016: Wazzup Guy, Stories That Touch and Chemistry EP

On 2 January 2014, Falz was listed in tooXclusive's "Artistes To Watch in 2014". 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.
On 31 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.
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", which made him a nominee in the "Best Street Hop Artiste of The Year" category at 2015 The Headies award.
On 3 November 2015, he announced the release of his second studio album, titled Stories That Touch×Stories That Touch16 November 2015 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 17 tracks1Kabiyesi2Soft Work3My People4Karishika5Soldier6Workaholic7Soupé8Clap9Time Difference10Mid-Flight Announcement (skit)11Celebrity Girlfriend12Chardonnay Music13Kawosoke14Love You Pass15Karishika (Part 2)16Everybody (Thank You)17Ello Bae, which was released on 17 November.
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. In June 2016, Falz was voted the winner of the "Viewer's Choice Best New International Act" category at the 2016 BET Awards.
On 27 October 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".

2017 – present: 27 and acting career

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. 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 performed well and earned 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×This Is Nigeria25 May 2018 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1This Is Nigeria3:43" which was inspired by Childish Gambino's "This is America". It highlighted Nigerian issues including corruption and bribery.
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.
On 1 September 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 Session, to air exclusively on YouTube.
In March 2022, Falz announced on his Instagram that he had deleted his previous posts and released his first single of the year, "Ice Cream", featuring BNXN (also known as Buju). He also promoted the single using a branded van with a ticketing booth, distributing free ice cream in parts of Lagos.
In March 2023, Falz collaborated with rapper Vector to release the single Yakubu, a politically charged track criticizing the 2023 Nigerian general elections. The song was named after the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, and highlighted various electoral controversies. It gained widespread attention for its bold political message.
In May 2023, Falz underwent surgery in London to repair a torn ACL sustained during a football match in late 2022. He documented his surgery and recovery process on social media, sharing the challenges of rehabilitation and his progress as he returned to full health through physiotherapy.

Artistry

Falz describes his style of music as "Wahzup music". It is the fusion of comic lyrics with contemporary hip-hop in a faux Yoruba accent.
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".

EndSARS protest

In October 2020, Falz called on Runtown and other Nigerian celebrities to join the #EndSARS protests in Lagos, Southwest 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×Moral Instruction15 January 2019 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1Johnny2Follow Follow3Hypocrite4Talk5Amen6Brother's Keeper7Paper8E No Finish9After All Said And Done.
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."
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.

Activism

Known for his activism through music, Falz continues to release tracks addressing social and political issues in Nigeria. During the 2023 elections, he called for increased participation and youth involvement in Nigerian politics, as well as other issues like voter apathy and electoral malpractice. His 2023 single "Yakubu", following previous hits like "This is Nigeria×This Is Nigeria25 May 2018 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1This Is Nigeria3:43", further solidified his position as a socially conscious artist, using music to critique corruption and injustices in the country.