Falz

Folarin Falana (born October 27, 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 his song "Marry Me" featuring vocals from Poe and Yemi Alade.[3][4]

Falz
Falz on NdaniTV
Background information
Birth nameFolarin Falana
Also known asFalz the Bahd Guy
Born (1990-10-27) October 27, 1990
Lagos State, Nigeria
OriginLagos
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
  • actor
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2009–present
LabelsBahd Guys Records
Associated acts

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 as his third studio album in 2017. On January 15, 2019, he released his fourth studio album Moral Instruction.

Early life

Falz was born in the local government area of Mushin, Lagos State, to renowned lawyers and human right activists Funmi and Femi Falana.[6] He was called to the bar in 2012 after graduating from the Nigeria Law School in Abuja.[7]

Education

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

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.[9]

In 2011, Falz released a single titled "Waz 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

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, which was critically acclaimed by music critics.[11]

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",[12] which won him a nomination in the "Best Street Hop Artiste of The Year" category at The Headies 2015.[13]

On 3 November 2015, he announced the release of his second studio album, titled Stories That Touch, which was released on 17 November.[14][15]

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.[16] In June 2016, Falz was voted the winner of the "Viewer's Choice Best New International Act" category at the 2016 BET Awards.[17][18]

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".[19][20]

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.[21] 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 in-house producer, withand some tracks were 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.[22]

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. [23]

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 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 [24]

Artistry

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

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.[28] The singer is constantly 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."''[29]

Discography
Main article: Falz discography
Studio albums

Filmography
Film
Year Film Role Notes
2015 Jenifa's Diary as Segun Soap opera
2016 Couple of Days as Gateman Movie
Tinsel as Kayode Beko-Williams Soap opera
2017 10 Days in Sun City as Seyi Movie
2018 New Money as Quam Movie
Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons as Remi Martin Movie
Chief Daddy as Femi 'Famzy' Beecroft Movie
2019 Merry Men 2 as Remi Martin Movie
Muna as himself Movie (cameo)
Your Excellency as AK Famzy Movie

Awards and nominations
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 [30]
9th Nigeria Music Video Awards Best Afro Hip Hop Video "Karashika" Won [31]
2016 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Music Video Nominated [32]
Album of the Year Stories that Touch Nominated [33]
WatsUp TV Africa Music Video Awards Best African Newcomer Video "Bahd Baddo Baddest" Nominated [34]
Best African Hip Hop Video Nominated [35]
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 [36]
Best Rap Act of the Year Himself Nominated
2018 The Headies Best Rap Single "Something Light" Nominated [37]
Best Rap Album 27 Nominated
Best Performer Himself Nominated
Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards Best Supporting Actor New Money Nominated [38]
2019 The Headies Best Rap Single "Talk" Won [39]
Best Rap Album Moral Instruction Won
Album of the Year Won

References
  1. Osagie, Alonge (21 January 2014). "Meet Femi Falana's lawyer-turned rapper son Falz The Bad Guy". Nigeria Entertainment Today. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  2. Sherif, OS (25 September 2015). "Falz Biography and Songs (Must Read)". NaijaQuest. Archived from the original on 24 November 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  3. 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.
  4. Ebirim, Juliet (19 June 2015). "I have big shoes to fill as Femi Falana's son – Falz". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  5. Jaiyesinmi, Doyin (16 June 2012). "#TheNextBigThing:Falz is Femi Falana's son, but that's just 'shakara'". YNaija. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  6. Ekpo, Nathaniel Nathan (1 August 2015). "I Supported my Son Falz but His Mother Did Not …Femi Falana". Nigeria Films. Archived from the original on 24 November 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  7. "Falz The Bahd Guy [Biography]". Sound It. 1 August 2015. Archived from the original on 24 November 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  8. Tinuola, Joseph (26 February 2014). "HOW FEMI FALANA'S LAWYER SON FALZ BECAME A RAPPER". Ecomium Weekly. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  9. Adedosu, Adekunle (2 March 2015). "'No jokes; I'm really searching for a wife' – Falz TheBahdGuy". Nigeria Entertainment Today. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  10. Tyler (2 January 2014). "TooXclusive's Artistes To Watch In 2014". tooXclusive. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  11. The A (13 June 2014). "ALBUM REVIEW: Falz – Wazup Guy". tooXclusive. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  12. "Falz - Ello Bae". tooxclusive.com. Retrieved 2016-05-12.
  13. Badmus, Kayode (30 September 2015). "#Headies2015: Olamide battles fReminisce, Falz and Small Doctor for Best Street Hop". Nigeria Entertainment Today. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  14. "Falz Reveals Album Art & Release Date of Sophomore Album, "Stories That Touch"". tooXclusive. 3 November 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  15. "For second album, Falz tells 'Stories That Touch'". Vanguard Newspaper. 15 November 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  16. Peters, Oreoluwa (6 March 2016). "How Falz got his award-winning acting break on Jenifa's Diary". YNaija News. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
  17. Igboanugo, Ada (25 June 2016). "Falz wins first BET Award". YNaija. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  18. 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.
  19. Joey Akan (27 October 2016). "Pulse Album Review: Falz and Simi "Chemistry" EP is lightning striking 7 times". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  20. Showemimo, Adedayo (27 October 2016). "Falz and Simi drop joint EP 'Chemistry'". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 30 October 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  21. "Falz 27 album". Genius. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  22. AfricaNews. "Nigeria's remake of 'This is America' music video goes viral, endorsed by P. Diddy | Africanews". Africanews. Retrieved 2018-05-29.
  23. Porumba. "Falz sues NBC for N100 Million | Porumba". Porumba.
  24. "Falz Unveils Something Big That Can Shake Comedy Industry". Kingsparo TV. Retrieved 2020-08-10.
  25. Onikoyi, Ayo (14 February 2015). "Why Femi Falana's Son, Falz Dumped Law for Music". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  26. Mukaila, Mulikat (29 August 2015). "Why my faux Yoruba style is popular – Falz". Daily Trust Newspaper. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  27. "The 10 Most Gifted Rappers In Nigeria 2014: #9 – Falz". NotJustOk. 18 November 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  28. "Runtown And Falz Lead #EndSars Protest After Naira Marley Backed Out (Video)". The African Media. 2020-10-08. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  29. https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/lifestyle/endsars-falz-releases-new-music-video-in-honour-of-victims-of-police-brutality/n3jtqvn
  30. Adedayo Showemimo (26 July 2016). "Full List Of Winners at 2016 City People Entertainment Awards". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 8 December 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  31. "Wizkid, Falz The Bahd Guy, Korede Bello Wins Big NMVA Award Winners (See Full List)". naijanewsrave.com. 13 September 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
  32. Ogumka Innocent (18 June 2016). "Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2016 Full List Of Nominees – NEA 2016". naijavoice.com. Archived from the original on 10 September 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
  33. "Nominations are Here! Find out who Made the 2016 Nigerian Entertainment Awards Nominees List". BellaNaija. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
  34. Mawuli, David. "WAMVA 2016: Bisa Kdei, Shatta Wale, Sarkodie, Wizkid, Flavour, others nominated - Music - Pulse". pulse.com.gh. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  35. "Yemi Alade, Wizkid, Cassper, Diamond, Rihanna, Shatta Wale Nominated for 2016 WatsUp TV Africa Music Video Awards - The Gab Wire". thegabwire.com. 4 October 2016. Archived from the original on 21 April 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  36. Solanke, Abiola. "Wizkid, Tekno, Davido nominated for Best Single NEA 2017". Retrieved 2018-07-04.
  37. Ohunyon, Ehis. "Wizkid, Davido, Simi and Mayorkun are among the big winners at the 12th edition of the Headies Music Awards". Retrieved 2018-07-04.
  38. Kehinde, Opeyemi (2018-07-02). "Africa: Nominees Revealed for 2018 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards". Daily Trust (Abuja). Retrieved 2018-07-04.
  39. Gbenga Bada (October 20, 2019). "Headies 2019: Here are all the winners at the 13th edition of music award". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
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