Folarin Falana, widely known as Falz, is the son of popular human rights lawyer, Femi Falana. He has been in the entertainment industry for eight years and is best recognised for his social media comic videos. The CEO of his rising label, Bahd Guy Records has released several hits songs such as, ‘Soft Work’, ‘Wehdone Sir’ and recently, ‘Jeje’. He has been nominated and won several local and international awards. In this chat with ABIOLA ALABA PETERS of New Telegraph, the law graduate talks about his rising fame and how difficult it’s been discerning if a woman truly cares for him
While coming up as an artiste, did you ever see yourself becoming this big?
No, I think no one ever starts with imagining this big while coming into the industry. I never knew how far I will get but I was hoping that it I’ll get better and the best is yet to come for me by His grace. I didn’t expect the worst but I was praying for the best, just hoping that I will get there one day and thank God all things is set by his grace.
What has fame done or changed about you?
I don’t have a personal life anymore and now, it is very difficult for me to know a woman that genuinely loves me and cares about me because at the end of the day, it’s all centred on me being famous. So I can’t tell who sees pass that; in terms of settling down or finding a wife it may be very tough.
What or how much was the first cash you made as a musician and what did you do with it?
Well, I was still at the university then but that was really when I started performing. I was paid about three hundred or four hundred pounds and at that time it was very good, it was one of those university events.
Have you ever been heart broken by a lady?
No, I haven’t been a victim of heartbreak.
Does it mean you have never been in love or are you a play boy?
It’s not a matter of being a play boy; it’s just that I haven’t been in a lot of relationships. I have only had two girlfriends in my entire lifetime. At 27, that is a low number.
At what age did you get your first kiss?
I was in primary six; it was an interesting experience and I was very young. We were just playing mummy and daddy game and it happened.
What do you put into consideration before collaborating with an artiste?
I think about the style of the artiste I’m going to be working with and how it will blend in with my style and I look for a common ground. I think about the beat, sound, the direction we are going and the concept. That’s the most important in every song I make; there needs to be a concept and content. So for me, I feel these things are important.
Any plans to go back to law practice or is that part of your life gone?
I won’t say that it’s gone; for now I’m trying to make the right moves and to strategize. But one thing I am trying to do is to develop a practice in entertainment law; it’s an untapped area a lot of lawyers are not operating in that field and I’m in entertainment already, so that’s what I am trying to do.
How often do you see your parents, especially your dad?
Not very often but I am trying to work on that. My incredibly busy schedule prevents me from going home as often as I would like but I am working on that; at least even if it is every week, it’s still something.
What influences your lyrics, do your parents have influence in your music style?
What influences my music mostly is my environment, what happens around me, people I come across and social issues are what influence my music. On whether my parents has influence in my music, I won’t say influence, rather I will say they inspire me and they always give suggestions, things they think I should talk about in my music but not necessarily influence, but they inspire and motivate me; I think it’s a great thing.
How would you describe your fashion sense?
I will say simple but sophisticated. I like to keep it simple and stylish.
So far in your career, what have been the challenges?
They’ve been lots of challenges and experiences that will make you think twice and question if you want to keep going. In November of 2013, I was in a terrible car accident; it was a near-death experience for me and my management team; it was a horrible experience.
You are a good actor, but aside ‘Jenifer’s Diary’ you haven’t done another one, why?
That’s not true; I have been in couple of films. In 2016, I did a movie called ‘Couple of Days’, I was in ‘10days in Sun City’ by AY, and other films too that are yet to be released.
Are we expecting to see your fiancé on that day?
Yes, she will be there.
So you are set for marriage now?
Yes, everybody is getting married now, so I think it’s time for me to settle down too.
Is she also into entertainment?
Yes she is.
Is she Simi?
No, I think everybody knows that Simi is not my girlfriend.
What are your words to your fans?
To my fans, just expect a lot of fire; the Falz Experience is going to be a completely different experience, it’s going to be something they haven’t witnessed before and Happy New Year in advance.
