Folarin Falana, also known as Falz is a Nigerian rapper, actor and songwriter. Falz entered the entertainment industry with a special style that got everyone glued. He calls his style of music ‘Wahzup Music’, a mix of hip-hop with old school sound and funny lyrics. Another name given to him by his friends is Falz the BAHDguy (Brilliant And Highly Distinct Guy).
See Also: Young entrepreneurs in Nigeria across different industries.
See Also: Biography and Life of Bankole Wellington, ‘Banky W’
Falz Background
Folarin was born on October 27th 1990 in Mushin, Lagos. His parents, Femi and Funmi Falana are respected lawyers and human right activists. Falz attended St. Leo’s Catholic Primary School, Ikeja for his basic education. Afterwards, he proceeded to Olashore International school for his secondary school degree. Falz graduated from Nigeria Law School in Abuja and was called to bar in 2012. He is also a graduate of the University of Reading, England.
See Also: Biography and songs of Ace Nigerian Disc Jockey (DJ): DJ Cuppy.
Falz Music Career
Folarin has always been a lover of music from secondary school. While in school, he started a music group called ‘The School Boys’ with his friend. Thereafter, in 2009, Falz dropped his first mixtape collections, titled ‘Shakara’: The Mixtape.
Afterwards, Falz released another single titled ‘Waz Up Guy’, and later ‘High Class’ and ‘Currency’. This marked the beginning of his music career success.
See Also: Biography of Simisola Ogunleye ‘Simi’
Wazzup Guy
Falz released his first studio album on 30 May, 2014 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.
Ello Bae
On 31st January, 2015, Falz returned with an official single titled ‘Ello Bae’. Actually, it was his first solo effort after the release of Wats Up Guy and it won him several awards. Falz was strategic about the launch of the music as it was launched just before the valentine season.
See Also: Biography and songs of a talented singer: Waje.
Stories That Touch
Following Ello Bae is the release of his second studio album, ‘Stories That Touch’. The album was released in November, 2015 and it contained 16 songs and 1 bonus single. Falz featured Chigurl, Oyinkansola, Simi, Reminisce, Sess, Reekado Banks, M.I., Shaydee and Show Dem Camp. The track list includes: Kabiyesi, Soft Work, My People, Karishika, Soldier, Workaholic, Soupe, Time Difference, Mid-Flight and Announcements, among others.
See Also: Biography and Life of Burna Boy
Chemistry
Falz collaborated with Simi to release a joint extended play titled, ‘Chemistry’, in October, 2016. The song was produced by Sess and it included seven-track EP: ‘foreign’, ‘Want To’, ‘Show You Pepper’, ‘Cindarella’, ‘Shake Your Body’ and ‘Enough’. Aside the EP, he also did two other singles with Simi: ‘Jamb Question’ and Soldier’.
27
On 27th October, 2017, Falz dropped a new album titled ’27’ to celebrate his 27th birthday. The album is supported with 17 tracks which also include hit singles like ‘Bhad Baddo Baddest; ‘Wehdone Sir’, and ‘Something light’. 27 featured guest appearances like Olamide, Wande Coal, Burna Boy, Sir Dauda, Maleek Berry, Medikal, Ycee and Terry Apala. It was also produced by Sess with contributions from Maleek Berry and studio magic.
See Also: Biography and Songs of Flavour N’abania
This is Nigeria
In May 2018, Falz released another single titled, ‘This is Nigeria’. The music video as gathered, was inspired by Childish Gambino’ ‘This is America’, an American actor and comedian. The song listed out the current happenings in Nigeria including bribery and corruption.
This is Nigeria was banned by National Broadcasting Commission on the account of it being a vulgar song. Thereafter, Falz wore his lawyer hat and sued NBC a whopping sum of N100 million.
It is worth noting that Falz ranked #9 on notJustOk list of ‘The 10 Most Gifted Rappers in Nigeria 2014″. According to them, “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”.
See Also: Biography and entrepreneurial journey of Don Jazzy.
Moral Instruction
The lawyer turned musician hit the air with another album in 2019 titled ‘Moral Instruction’. The album contained nine songs with guest appearances from Demmie Vee, Chillz and Sees. Interestingly, Falz sampled three of Fela’s songs in the album to buttress the subject matter of his songs. The tracklist include: Johnny, Follow Follow, Hypocrite, Talk, Amen, Brother’s Keeper, E No Finish and After All Said and Done.
Falz Singles
- ‘Welcome To The Jungle
- Pound Cake ft Chyn, 2014
- Walk In The Sky ft Chyn, 2015
- Love & Liquour ft Chyn, 2015
- This is Nigeria, 2018
- Child of the World
- Alakori ft Dice Ailes
See Also: Biography and Life of Timaya ‘Eberi papa 1 of Bayelsa’
Falz Movie Appearances
- Segun in Jenifa’s Diary, 2015
- Gateman in Couple of Days, 2016
- Kayode Beko-Williams in Tinsel, 2016
- Seyi in 10 Days in Sun City, 2016
- Quam in New Money, 2018
- Remi Martin in Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons, 2018
- Femi ‘Famzy’ Beecroft in Chief Daddy, 2018
Falz Quotes
“Be persistent with your dream chase”
“Hard work and persistence is usually a good formula.”
“We cannot attain the sanity that we seek by being quiet or nonchalant about our state of affair.”
“Life is too short to worry about, somebody said…”
“I want to live a long life, I want to live a meaningful life. I would rather the latter than the former.”
“If you feel like your world is crashing, talk to someone.”
See Also: Biography of Phyno, Chibuzor Azubuike
Falz Awards and Nominations
- Scream Awards, Best New Act of the Year, 2014
- Nigeria Entertainment Awards and Best Rap Act of the Year and Best New Act to Watch, 2015
- BET Awards, Viewers Choice Best New International Act
- City People Music Award, Alternative Artist of the Year, 2017
- The Headies Award, Best Performer, 2018
Awards and Nominations for His Songs
- Nigeria Entertainment Awards, ‘Marry Me’, Best collaboration of the year, 2015
- The Headies, ‘Ello Bae’, Best Street Hop Artiste of the Year, 2015
- Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, ‘Jenifa’s Diary’, Best Actor in a Comedy Movie/Series, 2016
- City People Entertainment Awards, ‘Stories That Touch’, Album of the Year, 2016
- Nigeria Entertainment Awards, ‘Karashika’, Best Music Video, 2016
- WatsUp TV Africa Music Video Awards, ‘Bahd Baddo Baddest’, Best African Newcomer Video, 2016
- 9th Nigeria Music Video Awards, ‘Karashika’, Best Afro Hip Hop Video, 2016
- Nigeria Entertainment Awards, ‘Stories that Touch’, Album of the Year, 2016
- WatsUp TV Africa Music Video Awards, Bahd Baddo Baddest’, Best African Hip Hop Video, 2016
- Nigeria Entertainment Award, ‘Chemistry’, Best Rap Act of the Year, 2017
- The Headies Award, ‘Something Light’, Best Rap Single, 2018
- Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, ‘New Money’, Best Supporting Actor, 2018
- The Headies Award, ’27’ Best Rap Album, 2018
See Also: Biography of Olamide Adedeji ‘Badoo’
Business Lessons from Falz
1. Turn Your Passion To Business
Falz is a certified lawyer who discovered his passion for music early enough. Without wasting time, he commercialised it. When your passion is your business, the journey becomes exciting and rewarding.
2. Age Is Not A Barrier To Success
Falz has proven this beyond doubt. He formed a music group in secondary school and also released his mixtape. That’s quite daring for a boy of his age. Entrepreneurship does not respect age. If you know the rules and follow it squarely, you will get the reward regardless of how old you are.
3. Connect With Key People In Your Industry
Folarin became more popular when he acted Segun in Jenifa’s diary. It was a huge plus to his career. As a matter of fact, your network sometimes determine your net worth in business.
Entrepreneurship is a lonely journey, let us walk you through it with our services.
