Falz

Nigerian rapper Falz first drew notice for his singular approach of pairing intricate rhymes with a comedic edge. Early momentum came via the track “Marry Me,” taken from his 2014 album Wazup Guy, while global awareness followed in 2018 when he delivered “This Is Nigeria,” an adaptation of Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” whose fresh verses spotlighted corruption inside his homeland.

Born Folarin Falana in 1990, Falz spent his childhood accompanying his family on frequent travels that introduced him to many cultures. Music and performance already captured his attention during his teenage years, prompting early collaborative work with friends and the 2009 release of Shakara: The Mixtape, which gathered some of his first recordings. Several singles issued in 2011 broadened his reach to a mainstream listenership and paved the way for the 2014 debut studio album Wazup Guy, whose single “Marry Me” featured guest vocals from Poe and Yemi Alade. The project established Falz as an emerging force in Nigeria, leading to the 2015 follow-up Stories That Touch. Steady output continued as his profile rose, encompassing regular singles and the 2016 EP Chemistry, a joint effort with R&B vocalist Simi. He also began pursuing acting alongside music and grew increasingly prominent at home, then surprise-issued his third album 27 on his 27th birthday, October 27, 2017. After Childish Gambino unveiled the groundbreaking “This Is America,” Falz responded with his own version and video, “This Is Nigeria.” The next year he unveiled his fourth album, Moral Instruction.