Babajide Awoyinfa
Entertainment express
Next To Blow: Music Stole My Heart - Falz
Friday, April 26, 2013Omoba
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Written By: Babajide Awoyinfa
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He is not your idea of
a rapper – someone who has had a gilt-edge law education in a UK university and
even took the time and pain to go through the whole gamut of becoming a
practicing lawyer in Nigeria by attending the requisite law school. Called to bar
in 2012, he is a qualified lawyer. However, his academic and profession
qualifications have been relegated to the background. If he had chosen the law
path, he’d have been addressed as Barrister Folarin Falana; instead a rising
hip-hop sensation is what he has become. He goes by the name Falz.
So far he is
‘representing.’ Falz delivers a unique blend of style and substance that brings
a fresh element to the oversaturated and sometimes jaded emceeing scene. In a
recent chat with Entertainment Express, the talented lawyer-turned-rapper
rhapsodizes about his musical influences, and the huge difference he’s bringing
to Nigerian hip hop. Read excerpts below
Tell us about
yourself?
My real name is
Folarin Falana. I was born in Lagos, Nigeria, in a family of three. I went to
primary school in Lagos while my secondary education was in Osun State. I
obtained my first degree from the University of Reading, UK. I am a qualified
barrister, called to the Nigerian Bar in 2012.
You are known as
“Bahd Guy,” are you really a bad guy?
I’m not a bad person
at all. My own is a “Bahd’ guy in a good type. The Bahd guy in my name
basically means that I am a cool guy.
How did you find
music?
I found music during
my secondary school days. A friend of mine used to write short verses and
choruses and I thought that was cool so I decided to join him. From that
moment, I just continued writing more rap verses and improving with time. Soon
enough I discovered that I was doing something I loved and from the day I got
into the studio to record for the first time, there was no going back.
At what stage of your
life did you develop interest in music?
It was while I was in
secondary school. I was about 13 or 14 years old then.
What gave you the
conviction to pursue a career in music?
The sheer passion I
have for music. I really enjoy it and I don’t think anything else gives me the
kind of fulfillment that I derive from recording good music.
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Looking back at
childhood, what was your first experience with music?
My first major
experience with music was while I was in secondary school. I formed a rap group
with three other friends of mine and we often performed at events and functions
within the school. We became local celebrities. It was an interesting
experience.
What was your
childhood ambition?
My childhood dream was
to go to school and become a top lawyer. I still became a lawyer in the end but
then music came around a long the way and stole my heart.
How long have
you been singing now?
Professionally, I have
been a recording and performing artiste for about three years now.
How did you come about
your stage name “Falz?”
Falz is a nickname
that I picked up while I was in school. It’s just a short form of my last name
Falana.
What were the songs
that moulded you as you were growing?
While growing up, I
listened to a lot of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Plantashun Boyz, Trybesmen and the
other old school classics. Music by these artistes had and is still a notable
influence on my music.
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What has been your
biggest break so far in your musical career?
My hit single “Wazup
Guy’’ which I released in 2011 went on to top a few radio charts and countdowns
and got me a few offers from a number of major record labels in the country.
What genre best
describes your music?
Typically it’s Rap/Hip
hop but every now and then, I have a bit of pop music. I call mine Wazup Music.
What do you think of
your chance of making a success out of being a musician?
I believe I stand a
good chance because my sort of music is different from the regular one. I try
to put a little bit of humour here and there when I record my songs but at the
same time I make sure there is still a lot of substance in my music. With
these, I believe I will last long in the game.
In your opinion what
are the characteristics of a successful rap artist?
A successful rap
artiste should be popular, admired, rich and positively influential.
Tell us about your
songs?
I have composed
several songs. In 2009, I put together an 11-track mixtape titled Shakara’
which included hit tracks like “Shakara” and “Picture Status’.’ After that I
released more hit singles including “Wazup Guy’’ (2011), “1,2,3’’ ft
Oyinkansola (2012), “Cool Parry’’ ft Saeon (2012) and more recently “High Class’’
which was released earlier this month
How did you the
inspiration for “Cool Parry” and “High Class”?
For “Cool Parry,’’ I
was inspired by the very jovial atmosphere in Nigeria and I just thought I had
to make a song that would reflect that.
“High Class” was a
little deeper. It was inspired by the seemingly growing Aristo culture among
the young ladies in Nigeria of today. It was not necessarily inspired by a
personal experience; it’s just a song about the high class girls out there.
Which artistes
influence your musical predisposition?
Like I said earlier,
the legendary Fela Anikulapo Kuti is one of my biggest influences. I try to
make meaningful music just like he did, but in my own way of course.
If you had the
opportunity to work with other rappers who would they be?
I would like to work
with M.I, Phyno and Olamide, just to name a few.
Tell us about your
record label “Bahdguys Records”?
We are just starting
up. I’m the first artiste under the label and right now we are focusing on
getting my career in motion so that everything else can kick-off from there.
Some of your fans say,
you sound like Sauce Kid. Was he someone you looked up to?
I like Sinzu’s stuff
but I really don’t hear that similarity. Maybe it’s more of a voice thing than
my style of music
What are your plans at
the moment?
Right now I am working
on my debut album which I intend to release this year. I am trying to get a few
interesting collaborations to spice it up and make the content as diverse as
possible. All things being equal, my album will be released later this year.
How is your music
different from others?
That little bit of
humour that I infuse into my songs is what gets people interested in my music
and what differentiates me from other regular rappers.
Pertaining to your
music career, what is the best advice you have been given and who gave you this
advice?
The best advice I have
received is to be myself and be consistent; this advice was given to me by a
close friend of mine.
Twitter :
@falzthebahdguy
Facebook: Falz (fan
page), Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana (regular profile)
Instagram:
falzthebahdguy
Keek: falzthebahdguy
Reverbnation:
www.reverbnation.com/falzzz
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