Why my faux Yoruba style is popular – Falz

Falz is a fast-rising rapper whose collaborations are getting increasingly popular, like the currently-hot one with the diva simply called Simi. Born Folarin to famous human rights lawyer Femi Falana, the artiste knows how to make his fans smile with his special style which utilizes a faux Yoruba accent. The trained lawyer opened up on […]

Falz is a fast-rising rapper whose collaborations are getting increasingly popular, like the currently-hot one with the diva simply called Simi. Born Folarin to famous human rights lawyer Femi Falana, the artiste knows how to make his fans smile with his special style which utilizes a faux Yoruba accent. The trained lawyer opened up on his rise to stardom, his odd mix of music and legal practice, and more.
Weekend Magazine: Why did you decide to be an artiste?
Falz: I love to entertain people. That’s why my style, which incorporates a faux Yoruba accent, is proving to be popular, as there’s also an element of humour and I think that’s what makes it appealing to many.
In spite of my Law career, my passion for music has always driven me. And that’s something I have realised in life, that if you are passionate about something, then you can’t totally turn your back on it. I have been writing songs and rapping since my secondary school days and I was in a group which performed during shows and school events and I guess I just continued to flow with music even after that. Gradually, I got better and here we are today.
WM: You portray funny, sometimes rustic characters when performing. Why?
Falz: I think the influence is from my environment and different backgrounds that I have lived in. They sort of influence me and I just relay it with humour. That tends to be quite entertaining, and makes fans want to go back to listen again and again. A humorous approach has always been one of my strongest points. It makes fans pay more attention.
WM: How do you combine your musical career and being a lawyer?
Falz: I used to juggle the two, but recently it has become more difficult, as I have become very busy. But that doesn’t mean I am abandoning my law career for music totally. I will just leave that aspect for some time, so that I can develop and establish myself in the music industry and then find a way to merge them both.
It has been fulfilling for me because I have been doing it for a while, not like I started recently and I thank God for everything as people are starting to recognise me and fall in love with my brand. It’s pretty encouraging.
WM: Your first album is a hit. What are you working on next?
Falz: I’m working on my second album, scheduled to be out before the year ends. The last single I released was ‘Karashika,’ featuring Phyno, and that seems to be doing well on its part and people are receiving it well. In the next few weeks another single is coming out and after that there will be more singles. That’s the plan.
WM: You’re famous for your collaborations. Which artiste have you enjoyed working with the most?
Falz: They’ve all been great. They all have their own unique skills which reflect in the songs. But the ones with Olamide, Yemi Alade and Phyno, I think those were excellent.
WM: Mentioning Yemi Alade, you both came up with a beautiful video for the track called ‘Marry me.’ What triggered the whole idea?
Falz: ‘Marry Me’ was influenced by my immediate environment. There is always this marriage fever between a young chap and his girlfriend whereby the lady will be acting up so he will marry her. It will also get to a point where the family members will transfer that pressure on the guy and this is what we see every day. When a girl hits her early 20s, her family will begin to pressure her to bring a man home. The girl, too, will now begin to put pressure on whoever she is dating. That’s how the idea for the song came up.
WM: Which collaborations should fans look forward to?
Falz: I would love to work with Asa, of course because she is very talented. Then there’s Brymo, too. Their kind of music has an earthy feel and I love to work with people who are different. Internationally, I’d love to work with Drake and then maybe Rihanna.
WM: What is your perspective on the Nigerian musical industry?
Falz: I think it is very rich now. There are a lot of skilled, talented people and I think the sky is the limit. But we need to structure it, because at the moment we are working without structure.
WM: How about challenges that you faced along the line?
Falz: There have been challenges, especially having to break out of the shadow of my dad because people always look at me and refer to me as Femi Falana’s son. So, having to break away from that and make a name for myself was a little bit challenging. But I think I have grown into my own person.
My dad has always been in support of what I do. He has always believed that whatever I am passionate about, I should go for it.
WM: You have many female fans. How do you handle them?
Falz: Right now it is very important to remain focused, so that’s what I’m doing.
WM: How have you been able to manage your newfound fame?
Falz: I’ve tried my best to keep my head low, because there is a tendency that the more popular you become the more arrogant you get. I just try to keep a level, head and remain focused, because I believe I still have a long way from where I currently am.