IS FALZ THE FELA OF OUR TIME ?

Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who is regarded as the pioneer of Afrobeat, an African music genre that combines West African music with American funk and jazz, was one of the most influential and charismatic music performers in Africa. His impact on the African music industry cannot be overlooked. He was a human rights campaigner and political activist who thrilled his audience with his smooth dance steps and whipped the asses of the government with his politically inclined lyrics. He was known and revered as the activist with a lion heart. Despite facing arrest over 200 times, having his house burned down, and seeing his mother thrown down from the window of his Kalakuta Republic, he fearlessly called out corrupt leaders in Nigeria. Some of his songs are expensive shit, Beast of No Nation, Suffering and Smiling, etc.

Since the demise of Fela, although there have been a couple of Nigerian musicians who have addressed political issues with their songs, no one has been able to tie the shoes he wore.

However, the Nigerian singer, Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, has been making a great effort to wear the shoes of Fela. Falz addressed some of the important societal issues in his album titled "Moral Instruction," which was released in 2019. With the use of clever words, Falz in his single titled "Talk" threw a shade at President Buhari in these words: "four year tenure, three year holiday," and "We buy your story but you do not give us change." These moves are great ones because they serve as checks for the government.

Falana backed his words with action during the #endsars movement in 2020. His tenacity toward the movement inspired many other Nigerian youths to join in the peaceful protection, and he has since continued to speak out against bad governance and encourage youths to participate in politics.

Ahead of the 2023 Presidential election, Falz has partnered with the European Union, Yiaga Africa, INEC, and Development Alternative Incorporated (DAI) to encourage Nigerian youths to get their voters’ cards by organizing a free for all concert with the admission ticket being the PVC or TVC; permanent or temporary voters’ card. The event is dubbed "Youth Vote Mega Concert 2.0," and it will take place on June 11th at the historic Tafawa Balewa Square. The show, which is slated to start by 9 a.m., also offers an allowance to non-voters’ card owners to register for their voters’ card at the same venue. Isn't this impressive? Of course it is. It's the first of its kind and hopefully it will make a huge difference in the forthcoming election.

Can we then say that Falz is the Fela of our time?. Well, they are two unique individuals from two different generations with one approach to the same issue. So what do you think, can Falz be compared to Fela?, share your thoughts in the comments.

Be sure to get your PVC, while at it, listen to educating and entertaining music by the 2F's activists- Fela and Falz on Epoh Music.