This Is Nigeria

"This Is Nigeria"
Single by Falz
Released May 25, 2018
Format Digital download
Recorded 2018
Genre Hip hop
Length 3:43
Label Bahd Guys Records
Songwriter(s) Folarin Falana
Falz singles chronology
"Foreign"
(2018)		 "This Is Nigeria"
(2018)

"Foreign"
(2018)		 This Is Nigeria
(2018)

"This Is Nigeria" is a song by Nigerian rapper Falz. Inspired by Childish Gambino's "This Is America", the song was released on May 25, 2018 and features background vocals by the rapper's father Femi Falana, a lawyer and human rights activist.[1] "This Is Nigeria" addresses societal issues prevalent in Nigeria, including SARS brutality, codeine abuse, and unrestrained killings in some parts of the country.[2]

The music video for "This Is Nigeria" runs for a total of 3 minutes and forty-two seconds. It was directed and produced by Iyobosa Geezy Rehoboth and Wande Thomas, respectively.[3]

Composition

The song features background voices on political opinion and choral sounds. According to Falz, the lyrics "address numerous political and social ills"[4] and aimed "to spark a reaction in the positive direction". The video highlighted the nation's issues with violence and corruption in politics, policing, and organized religion.[5][6][7]

Music video

The music video, directed by Iyobosa Geezy Rehoboth,[8] saw Falz address the issues of Nigeria in a warehouse while a Fulani man commits murder,[4] Chibok/Dapchi girls dance, young men get high off codeine, and undergrads are assaulted by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a unit of the Nigerian Police Force, amidst other chaotic scenes.

The music video has received over 14 million views on YouTube. American rapper Diddy uploaded the music video onto his Instagram page and captioned it #Nigeria LETS GO"!.[9][4]

Critical reception

In a video interview with Hello Nigeria, Falz discussed the inspiration behind the video, why he did a cover and what the not-so-hidden meanings were. The national mirror video also received critical reviews. On 5th of June 2018, a Muslim Rights Concern demanded Falz withdrawal of the music video or face legal action[10]. He was also asked to tender an apology for using women wearing hijab and dancing shaku shaku. This triggered a viral outrage on social media. Nigerian Twitter users showed a massive support for the video and also advised the rapper not to take down the video. Falz's management later released a statement stating the music video won't be withdrawn.

Reference

  1. ↑ Joey Akan (28 May 2018). "Rapper Falz's 'This is Nigeria' video holds up a mirror for the country". CNN. Retrieved 10 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. "Director Geezy talks about Falz"s "This is Nigeria" video". Retrieved 2018-06-09.
  4. 1 2 3 Akan, Joey. "Rapper Falz's 'This is Nigeria' video holds up a mirror for the country". CNN. Retrieved 2018-06-09.
  5. ↑ Khumalo, Fred (10 June 2018). "'This is Nigeria': Childish Gambino's 'America' has found an echo in Africa". Sunday Times. Retrieved 2018-06-12.
  6. ↑ AFP (2018-06-07). "Nigerian version of Childish Gambino's This Is America by rapper Falz highlights violence and corruption". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2018-06-12.
  7. ↑ Unah, Linus (1 June 2018). "Not Everyone Is Happy With Nigeria's Viral Version Of 'This Is America'". NPR. Retrieved 2018-06-12.
  8. ↑ "Meet Prodigeezy, The 23-Year-Old Director Behind Falz's #ThisIsNigeria Video - Nigerian Entertainment Today". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 2018-05-28. Retrieved 2018-06-06.
  9. ↑ "Hip-hop star P Diddy hails Falz's 'This is Nigeria' video". Premium Times Nigeria. 2018-05-27. Retrieved 2018-06-06.
  10. ↑ "ICYMI: Women in hijab dancing 'Shaku shaku' offensive to Islam, MURIC tells Falz". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2018-06-06.
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