Though he is also a qualified lawyer, from the University of Reading, United Kingdom, Folarin Falana, son of renowned human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Barrister Femi Falana, is equally a musician. He shared with YES International!’s GBENGA SHABA why he is embracing music after studying Law in the university and more. Enjoy…
Can you tell us about Falz?
I am Folarin Falana. I was born into a family of three children and both of my parents are lawyers and I’m also a barrister. I studied in the University of Reading, United Kingdom; came back to Nigeria and went to the Law School in Abuja and qualified as a barrister. It was after my qualification that I got focused on music to get established as a musician.
Why are you leaving Law for music?
A lot of people, I’m sure, would be eager to ask about that as well. In life, you only get maximum satisfaction doing what you love to do. Music is what I love to do, music is my passion and at the same time, after I realized the importance of education, I went to school and I got the qualification. Nobody can take that away from me. But I still believe that I should chase my dream, follow my heart. So, I’m going for what I love to do and that is why I first qualified as a lawyer before going for music.
Are you saying you have left Law completely for music?
Dad’s thing is always going to be there; being a Femi Falana son. But at the same time, you need to have your own identity. You don’t always want people to say “Oh! He’s Falana’s son, he’s Falana’s son”. So, I try to make an identity for myself and establish my own achievement. But I feel honoured definitely to be his son because he’s a great man and a man who has done great things for his country.
Are you under pressure to live up to expectations?
Yes! It is a lot of work, because the way he has lived his life has made him an icon. He has made a name for himself and has created a standard, so I have to live up to that standard. So, there is a lot of pressure on me, but I believe it is something that I could cope with. I believe that I could even achieve much more than him. I could be a bigger person if I work hard and just continue being determined.
When did it occur to you that you could do music?
It was when I was in SS1 in secondary school. One of my friends used to write raps and rap to us in the hostel and we thought about how amazing it was. I approached him later to join him and form a group. So, we did form the group. We rapped and sang all around the school and at various events and people began to love what we did. So, at that point, I knew there was a talent in me and I decided to capitalize on the talent. But after school, the four of us that formed the group went our separate ways.
What kind of music do you do?
It is hip-hop music, but with a contemporary twist. I give it my own coinage: “What’s Up Music”. This is my own genre, my style; because my music involves a lot of comic flavors, hip-hop, afro beats and more. It brings out a different and unique sound.
How many tracks have you produced?
Officially, I have released about five singles, but I have recorded more than that and I’m working on an album right now which will be released sometime around March, 2014.
What are the titles of some of the tracks we are expecting in the album?
High Class is my biggest release till date. It’s a great sound because people accepted it and my latest release is titled Currency. It’s also a big song. It’s more club friendly and before these two, I had released Cool Party, 1,2,3, featuring Oyinkansola and Shakara.
When you started music, did your parents support you?
Initially, they were surprised, because they did not have any musical background, so they wondered where I had the idea from. But gradually, they have come to accept the fact that I’m a musician and a good one at it. They have come to enjoy my music as well and a lot of people have been telling them that their son is doing very well and that they love what I do. My dad also goes all the way to encourage and support me.
How do you get your inspiration?
Just from life’s experiences; things that happen around me. I just look around and get inspired. For example, my song, High Class is a real life scenario. Something that I observed in my environment. A lot of ladies in my locality that have tagged themselves high class ladies and attach all they do to be high class. So, I just observed the things around me and wrote about them, because I like to do music that has substance and good content.
Have you thought about the challenges of making it in the music industry?
Yes! But what I thought could give me the edge is my uniqueness. My music is not that kind of music that everyone does. The funny flavor, the comic flavor and its uniqueness makes it stands out. It’s hard and cool at the same time. People can relate to it and this would definitely differentiate me from others because everyone is trying to sound like somebody else that they have heard is successful, but they don’t realize that they need their own uniqueness to be successful and that is what I’m trying to do.
Your album release is coming up very soon, what should be our expectations?
Expect a lot of great music because I will featuring a lot of talented musicians and also have a variety of sounds. I don’t want everything to just sound alike. So, I want to show my versatility on the album, I want to show that I can rap, sing and dance well. So, expect a lot of great music.
Where do you see your music in years to come?
My music must have been at the level of international recognition; be an international superstar in the next few years. I want to be recognized in the UK, US, Canada and all over the world. I want people to be listening to Falz in foreign clubs and events, I want to be at a point where I would be recognized in an international award show. I believe when your music moves to global level, then you have attained more success as a musician and that is where I want to be in a few years.