This Is Nigeria

Last updated
"This Is Nigeria"
Single by Falz
ReleasedMay 25, 2018
Recorded2018
Genre Afrobeats, Political hip hop
Length3:43
Label Bahd Guys Records
Songwriter(s) Folarin Falana
Falz singles chronology
"Foreign"
(2018)
"This Is Nigeria"
(2018)
"Child of the World"
(2018)
Music video
"This Is Nigeria" on YouTube

"This Is Nigeria" is a song by Nigerian rapper Falz, released on 25 May 2018. It is a cover of Childish Gambino's "This Is America". Falz's father, Femi Falana, performed background vocals on the track. [1] "This Is Nigeria" addresses a number of societal issues prevalent in Nigeria, including SARS brutality, codeine abuse and unrestrained killings. [2] The song's accompanying music video was directed by Prodigeezy and produced by Wande Thomas. [3]

Contents

Composition

According to Falz, the song "addresses numerous political and social ills", and is an attempt "to spark a reaction in the positive direction". The video highlights Nigeria's issues with violence, political corruption, policing, and organized religion. [4] [5] [6]

Music video

The accompanying music video for "This Is Nigeria" was directed by Prodigeezy. [7] Filmed in an empty warehouse, the video depicts a Fulani man committing murder, Chibok/Dapchi girls dancing, young men getting high off codeine, and undergraduate students being assaulted by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad. [1] The music video has received over 20 million views on YouTube. American rapper Sean Combs uploaded the music video onto his Instagram page and captioned it with the hashtag "#Nigeria LETS GO!". [8] [1]

In an interview with Hello Nigeria, Falz discussed the inspiration behind the video. On June 5, 2018, the Muslim Rights Concern demanded that Falz withdraw the music video or face legal action. [9] He was also asked to apologize for using women wearing hijab while dancing Shaku Shaku. This triggered a viral outrage on social media. Nigerian Twitter users showed support for the video and also advised the rapper not to take down the video. Falz's management later released a statement stating that the music video will not be taken down. [6]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Akan, Joey (28 May 2018). "Rapper Falz's 'This is Nigeria' video holds up a mirror for the country". CNN . Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  2. Ohunyon, Ehis (29 May 2018). "10 songs you should listen to on May 29". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  3. Ohunyon, Ehis (30 May 2018). "Director Geezy talks about Falz"s "This is Nigeria" video". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  4. Khumalo, Fred (10 June 2018). "'This is Nigeria': Childish Gambino's 'America' has found an echo in Africa". Sunday Times . Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  5. AFP (7 June 2018). "Nigerian version of Childish Gambino's This Is America by rapper Falz highlights violence and corruption". The Straits Times . Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  6. 1 2 Unah, Linus (1 June 2018). "Not Everyone Is Happy With Nigeria's Viral Version Of 'This Is America'". NPR . Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  7. Okpala, Victor (28 May 2018). "Meet Prodigeezy, The 23-Year-Old Director Behind Falz's #ThisIsNigeria Video - NET". Nigerian Entertainment Today . Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  8. Augoye, Jayne (27 May 2018). "Hip-hop star P Diddy hails Falz's 'This is Nigeria' video". Premium Times . Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  9. Agency Report (6 June 2018). "ICYMI: Women in hijab dancing 'Shaku shaku' offensive to Islam, MURIC tells Falz". The Punch . Retrieved 6 June 2018.