This Is Nigeria

"This Is Nigeria" is a song by Nigerian rapper Falz, released on May 25, 2018. It is a cover of Childish Gambino's "This Is America". Falz's father Femi Falana performs 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 music video for "This Is Nigeria" runs for a total of 3 minutes and forty-two seconds. It was directed by Iyobosa Geezy Rehoboth and produced by Wande Thomas.[3]

"This Is Nigeria"
Single by Falz
ReleasedMay 25, 2018
FormatDigital download
Recorded2018
GenreAfrobeats, Political hip hop
Length3:43
LabelBahd Guys Records
Songwriter(s)Folarin Falana
Falz singles chronology
"Foreign"
(2018)		 "This Is Nigeria"
(2018)		 "Child of the World"
(2018)

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 Iyobosa Geezy Rehoboth.[7] Shot in an empty warehouse, the video depicts a Fulani man committing murder,[8] Chibok/Dapchi girls dancing, young men getting high off codeine, and undergraduate students being assaulted by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

The music video has received over 18 million views on YouTube. American rapper Diddy uploaded the music video onto his Instagram page and captioned it with the hashtag "#Nigeria LETS GO!".[9][8]

Critical reception

In a video 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.[10] He was also asked to apologise for using women wearing hijab and 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.

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. Khumalo, Fred (10 June 2018). "'This is Nigeria': Childish Gambino's 'America' has found an echo in Africa". Sunday Times. Retrieved 2018-06-12.
  5. 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.
  6. Unah, Linus (1 June 2018). "Not Everyone Is Happy With Nigeria's Viral Version Of 'This Is America'". NPR. Retrieved 2018-06-12.
  7. "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.
  8. Akan, Joey. "Rapper Falz's 'This is Nigeria' video holds up a mirror for the country". CNN. Retrieved 2018-06-09.
  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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