29th July, 2024
By Taiwo Okanlawon
Famous Nigerian rapper, Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, has narrated how his upbringing influenced his approach to activism.
The singer who was one of entertainers that led the #ENDSARS Protest in Lagos in 2020, explained that his activism did not begin that year.
Speaking in an interview on Menisms Podcast, he attributed his activism to Fela Kuti and his father, Femi Falana influence.
“Apart from Fela records, my dad has been an activist for over 40 years so having someone like that as a father, everywhere I went, someone had a story about what my father did for them. So that level of selflessness played a part in who I became.
” That was always at the back of my mind so with everything I was doing with my record, I drew inspiration from everything around me.
“I have always been conscious. So it’s not like I woke up one day. 2020 was a time when so much was happening that we needed to take further steps from just talking and walking the walk. Of course, I was going to be in front because I had been talking the talk anyway.”
Falz who recently released a new project titled “Before The Feats” EP also revealed the influences behind his socially conscious music.
Falz said the Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti inspired him to blend his music with activism.
Falz also cited defunct music groups like Plantashun Boiz and Trybesmen, saying the elements of their music were integrated into his own to craft his unique style.
“The people I started listening to were the Trybesmen, Plantashun Boiz, and of course, a lot of Fela Kuti,” Falz said.
“So those early influences shaped my style. Coming in, I already knew that I would do things differently.
“That’s why much of my music has always been laced with activism.
“So, like I said, early influences from Fela. It’s bits and pieces of all the greats that I have listened to. So I took all that, jollofed it up, and created my style.”
Falz has put out a plethora of socially conscious songs such as ‘Wehdone Sir’, ‘Child Of The World’, ‘This Is Nigeria’, and ‘Talk’.
