Following the success of Stories That Touch (2015), Falz began work on his third studio album, 27, which was released as a surprise on his 27th birthday, 27 October 2017. In an interview with Pulse Nigeria, Falz said the album had different working titles, including The Polish Villager, before he chose "27" to mark his 27th birthday. He called the surprise release a planned move to create excitement. As the album came together, it grew beyond his usual style to include more emotional and socially conscious songs.[2]
Composition
27 mixes Falz’s playful style with more serious themes. On "Confirm", he mocks internet scammers and urges them to work for their success. "Child of the World" tells the story of a young woman facing abuse and hardship, offering a message of hope and warning against losing one’s way. In "Polished", Falz pushes back at critics who call him “local,” reminding them he’s more refined than he lets on. The album balances humor, social commentary, and party-ready tracks, with guest appearances from artists like Burna Boy, Wande Coal, and Maleek Berry.[3][4]
Singles
The album's lead single "Bahd Baddo Baddest" features Olamide and Davido. It was released on 7 April 2016 and was produced by Sess.[5] "Wehdone Sir", also produced by Sess, was released as the album's second single on 13 January 2017. Directed by Clarence Peters, the track blends Falz’s signature humor with sharp social commentary. It was inspired by a series of viral skits he posted online, which helped turn the phrase into a pop culture moment.[6] The third single "Jeje" was released on 7 June 2017, and its Mex-directed music video was released two days later.[7] "Something Light" featuring Ycee, the fourth single released off the album, was released on 18 August 2017. The video which features cameo appearances from Wofai Fada and Maraji, and was directed by Clarence Peters.[8] The album's fifth single "La Fête" (celebration in French) was released on 20 October 2017. The song was produced by Demsa, with its music video directed by Clarence Peters.[9]
Critical reception
Wilfred Okiche of 360nobs found 27 a safe but uninspired follow-up that lacked the excitement and range of Falz’s earlier work. He concluded it was “fair enough to pass muster, but far from the best work Falz could have made at this point in his career.”[10] Joey Akan of Pulse Nigeria described 27 as a well-rounded project that showcased Falz’s versatility while staying commercially appealing. He concluded that it “isn’t a landmark in Nigerian music, but it does a lot of things right,” giving it a rating of 3.5 out of 5.[11]
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