Folarin Falana (born October 27, 1990 in Lagos State), better known by his stage name Falz is a Nigerian singer, rapper, actor, and songwriter.He 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. Falz shot into limelight after his song titled "Marry Me" (featuring vocals from Poe and Yemi Alade) 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 at the same event.He currently owns an independent record label called Bahd Guys Records which recently signed a new artist Sir Dauda.
Personal life
Falz is the son of Femi Falana, a Nigerian human rights activist and lawyer.He was called to the bar in 2012 after graduating from the Nigeria Law School, Abuja
Early life and education
Falz was born in Lagos State, mushin respectively South-Westen Nigeria to renowned lawyers Femi and Funmi Falana. He completed his basic and secondary school education at St. Leo’s Catholic Primary School, Ikeja and Olashore International School, Osun State respectively.He is an alumnus of the University of Reading England after graduating with an LLB honors degree in Law.
Career
2009–2013: Early 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, while in high school, he released a compilation of some of his recordings as a mixtape titled Shakara: The Mixtape.
In 2011, Falz released a single titled "Waz Up Guy" before he went on to release "High Class" and "Currency" which gained him grounds in the Nigerian music industry.
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".On 30 May 2014, Falz released his debut studio album titled Wazup Guy which was received to critical acclaim among music critics In 2015, Falz was nominated in the "Best Collaboration of The Year" category at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards for his chart-topping single titled "Marry Me". On 31 January 2015, he released a single titled "Ello Bae" which won him a nomination in the "Best Street Hop Artiste of The Year" category at The Headies 2015.
In 2016, Falz won "Best Actor in a Comedy Movie/Series" at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards for his role as iin Funke Akindele’s TV series Jenifa's Diary. In June of 2016, Falz was voted the winner of the "Viewer's Choice Best New International Act" category at the 2016 BET Awards
2017-Present: 27 album and acting career
On 27 October 2017 which happened to be his 27th birthday falz released a new album title "27" to celebrate the day. This was a surprise album as it was not promoted before it's release.The album contained 17 tracks including hit singles like "Bhad Baddo Baddest", "Wehdone sir", and "Something light" it also had 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 is in house producer and some other tracks were done by Maleek Berry, and studio magic. The album did very well and it gained several awards and nominations including nomination for The Headies Award for Rap Album of the Year.
In May 2018, Falz released the music video titled 'This Is Nigeria' which was inspired by Childish Gambino's 'This is America'. It highlighted the issues of Nigerians including corruption and bribery.
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.
Artistry
Falz describes his style of music as "Wahzup music".It is the fusion of comic lyrics with the contemporary hip-hop in a faux Yoruba accent. 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”.
Albums
- Wazup Guy (2014)
- Stories That Touch (2015)
- 27(2017)
