If there is any young man in the entertainment industry who has done exceedingly well for himself as a multifaceted business mogul, then that person is no other than “Falz The Bahd Guy”.
Folarin Falana has become very successful and that has become very obvious to see. Falz who is a comic rapper/actor won the BLACK ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION (BET) Award two Saturdays back (June 25th 2016). He was announced winner of the Viewers’ Choice in the Best International Act Category.
Falz was nominated alongside Section Boys (South London), WSTRN (West London), EMTEE (South Africa), TKay (Australia) and MHD (France)
Falz, who is Lagos Lawyer, Femi Falana’s son, began his career while in secondary school after forming a group called “The School Boys” with his friend before his professional career as a music artiste began in 2009. Falz shot into limelight after his song titled “Marry Me” (featuring vocals from Poe and Yemi Alade) won him a nomination in the “Best Collaboration of The Year” category at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. He was also nominated in the “Best Rap Act of The Year” and “Best New Act to Watch” categories at the same event. He currently owns an independent record label called Bahd Guys Records. Falz has gone a long way in the industry winning numerous awards after he shot to limelight including the award at City People Entertainment Award 2015 which he cherishes amongst others. The young entrepereneur has been able to maintain a balance between all segment of the industry he finds himself in. As an artiste he has worked with major names in the industry including his recent mini-video project with Clarence Peters for his Simi featured “Soldier” track. He also appeared in a full length movie which was topnotch in the cinemas for a long time. His role I Funke Akindele’s “Jenifas’ Diary” has also increased his fan base. Recently he performed alongside comedian AY on stage at the AY 10 years on Stage Anniversary Concert which had a lot of people thrilled to see that Falz is a natural in whatever he does. The young champ recently hosted City People’s Publisher, SEYE KEHINDE and Showbiz Reporter, DANIJI EMMANUEL where he opened up about his multifaceted roles in the industry, how he has been able to maintain the balance and what lies ahead for him. Enjoy the interview.
READ ALSO: Falz Wins Viewer’s Choice Best International Act Award
Tell us about your recent music video project for the Simi featured “Soldier” Track
It’s a mini movie and a music video. We try to merge both music and film industry into one single project. That was what we were launching and we felt the need to have a big premiere so that people can come and see a landmark project and material been released. It was pretty good, a lot of people turned out to support. My Dad was there as well to support and it was pretty good
How did he see the whole project?
He was impressed. He also indicated a willingness to support future projects like this.
Whose idea was this all together? Was it yours or that of the director?
It was a mix of mine and that of Clarence Peters. Clarence Peters actually called me once and said he had an idea for me, that he wanted to build a film around me and my music. So we came up with the idea to develop the Soldier video and make it into something bigger than just a musical video. So we made a short musical video, almost a film. The video is 15 minutes long.
So it started with Soldier, what would be the next?
There would definitely be a continuation. The big thing is that myself and Simi have a collaborative project in the works that would contain about 7 tracks. In the project we would then develop each song into a story of its own. So the part 2 of the Soldier story would go into another song and it would have another title. We trying to make it into a series, something people would look up to say every 2 weeks or so.
Unlike the Movie industry where Characters are fixed with little additions, would there be a constant change in characters for the Music Movie Project or would all characters remain?
New characters would have to be brought in though some of the established characters would remain constant all through. There definitely would be some characters that we would bring in to add spice to the storyline.
Let’s take a look at your recent collaboration with Cobhams, “Boosit” became an instant hit immediately it was dropped. Whose idea was the “character playing” role?
It was his actually. He indicated to me he’s a huge fan, he wanted us to meet. So he came up to me and said he had an idea of the song already and he played it for me and he told me the concept and idea. I connected with it immediately. It’s a very conscious song with a serious message in a comical approach. The fact that we are sending a massage out there and making our voices heard because we know people are listening to us out there. That was the concept of the song. The first verse spoke about politicians who promise us heaven and earth only to get into power and do whatever they like. The second verse spoke about violence and stuffs like that. It was a very very interesting collaboration and Cobhams left his comfort zone just to have this work.
The fans have accepted the song and have listen to the message, but do you think this message would get to the right ears and people?
I hope it does. At the end of the day there is a very short attention span that the Nigerian listeners have. I just hope that doesn’t affect the song, because at the end of the day they could just enjoy the comical aspect of the song and forget the message which is the stronger part of the song.
We’ve seen you and Simi, You and Cobhams, and the latest so far is You and AY. Basically the first time anyone would see you perform fulltime comedy on stage. How did you come about the script?
It was AY’s actually. All those low blows and subliminal messages, they were all AYs’. We just took the script, made it our own and brought it to life. It was very interesting working with all those people, Chigurl, Princess and AY, it was very interesting.
And as of the choice of character, how did AY settle for you to ply the role?
He told me that he had seen some of my works and he was very intrigued and loved them and he wanted us to work together so I said let’s do it. That was it.
Let’s combine all 3 of your latest projects. You’ve worked with a Director, A Music Producer/Colleague in the Industry and then a Comedian, how does that make you feel?
It makes me feel very good. I think it’s a very positive thing. It then shows how multifaceted my brand is, because if a Film director calls me up, a music producer calls me up, a comedian calls me up, it then shows that this brand of mine cuts across 3 different industries in such a way that it is relevant to the 3 industries. It also reflects on the award that I won as Best Actor in a comedy at the AMVCA, its spans the brand and makes me seen in a different light.
What about your role in the series Jennifers’ Diary?
Yeah, Jennifa’s diary. So popular now and many people are beginning to love the character and role I play in it. There was even a time in the script that I was supposed to travel abroad in the series and I was on twitter and I saw so many comments, “Don’t go, come back….” The initial plan was to write me out of the series with that travel because I found out that it was difficult and challenging recording but since they all want me; I have to come back into the series. I am actually enjoying it.
How do you cope with playing all these different roles and personality?
It’s very difficult I won’t lie, sometimes it gets to me and I get very stressed and worked up. I just try to find a way to keep the balance, And I found out that the more I can try to maintain all faces and part if the brand the richer the brand would be, so I try to keep it up and going.
You been in the spotlight in all these industries would definitely spark up rumours and news about you in the media, how have you been able to handle that?
So far so good, I have tried to keep a low profile and remain well behaved.
Even with the low profile, there have been news a linking you to Simi and Funke Akindele, which is true and which is false?
I don’t think you should believe any of those, I think both of them have their significant order which is not me. When people see a great working relationship or chemistry on set or stage they would naturally speculate. So it’s nothing to be excited about.
Don’t you think this would upset your fans who really want to see you having much more than ties with any of these two talented women?
Well, you never know what the future holds, anything is still possible.
So how did you come up with your style of speaking?
Initially it was just me messing around with friends and joking around and suddenly it became like a lingua. It basically blew up when I started doing short skits on social media and so on….
We’ve had Stories That Touch, when should we be expecting your 2nd album?
Well, the next project would be the collaborative project with Simi and after that I can now concentrate on a Solo project. But for now, expect the collaborative project with Simi.
Whats new with you in terms of Singles?
I just put out a new audio titled “Bahd, Baddo, Baddest” with Olamide and DavidO. The video is not out yet though but still in the works.
Whats the idea behind the song title, “Bahd, Baddo, Baddest”?
It’s just a nameplay really, I am BAHD, Olamide is BADDO and DavidO is BADDEST. WE had to play around that and it’s definitely a good tune for the clubs as it is uptempo, danceable and people are already liking it. The video would be out soon.
Let’s re-examine DavidO’s verse on the song where he took a jab at “Uncle Dele” (Dele Momodu). What’s your take on that?
On my own part, every artiste has things that come from a personal part or side in their live. I am really in no position to comment on that. I obviously didn’t write the verse for him. The verse as a whole I like though.
What is the market like after you featured in your first movie which took the cinemas by storm?
Right now I have a lots of offers but I am trying to weigh in on which fits best for me at this time. The caliber of production is also what I am putting into consideration so I don’t work on a set that is not of standard.
Falz The Bahd Guy is seen as an artist, a comedian and an actor. What else are you into that people are yet to discover about you?
I am an entrepreneur. I am trying to develop the business man in me. I am looking to groom talents for my label. Also my fashion line would be launching a new set of apparels into the market soon.
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