Folarin Falana isn't a name that will cause a great fuss but when you link that name to the legal luminary, Femi Falana, it begins to ring bell and the picture that comes to your mind is that of 'Learned Gentlemen' but Folarin isn't anything like his father even though he read law too.
He is a singer and an entertainer. His stage name is Falz, The Bad Guy and he isn't running anyone amok in the courtroom, his terrain is the entertainment stage where he sings to thrill people. Hear his story. Excerpts:
Please introduce yourself
My name is Folarin Falana but I am popularly known as Falz or Falz 'The Bad Guy'. I am a musician, and an entertainer
Educational background
I went to St. Leo's Catholic Primary School, Ikeja, after that I went to Olashore International School, in Osun State after which I went to study in the University of Reading in the United Kingdom. Then I came back and went to the Nigerian Law School, Abuja where I qualified as a Barrister.
What is a Barrister doing, singing?
A lot of people have asked me that and my reply is that when you are very passionate about something you must follow your heart. Music is my passion, that is why I am in music.
Given your father's reputation, one would have expected you to follow in his footsteps. Why tread another path?
Initially, that was my intention. Looking at his life and how much he has achieved and the kind of name he has made for himself, I sincerely wanted to follow in his footsteps. I admired his monumental achievements, and his lifestyle. In fact that was why I went to study Law; to follow in his footsteps but along the line I just developed the love for music and music stole my heart and I decided to follow my heart.
Have you had any spat with your father over this your decision of dumping law for music?
That was what everybody thought but I never had a strained moment over my decision with my father. Though when he got to know, he found it a bit strange, because none in my family has musical background but then it never developed into what I would call a strained moment. Later on he and my mum started to accept it and even go as far as encouraging me.
Looking at the competitive Nigerian music scene, what new thing are you bringing to the table to sell yourself?
I believe what you have to do in a scene such as this is to be unique. And I think my music is very unique. The infusion of comic lyrics, which people can easily relate with, with a lot of old school jam and the contemporary hip-hop is what makes my brand of music very unique. It is very different from what any other artiste out there does.
So, what would you call your own genre of music now?
I have given it my own name. I call it 'what's up music. It is a mix of hip-hop with old school sound and funny lyrics.
What have you really done to date?
Precisely in 2009 I released a mixtape, it was titled 'Shakara'. It was actually the compilation of some songs I have been doing before. I released it online and made it available to people for free download. The reason for that was just to get my music to the people, to know me.
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