Rapper doesn’t get the Hip-hop respect, but it doesn’t really matter

‘You rappers should fix up your lives…you’re getting killed by the South…,”M.I Abaga declared on his new single. But for Falz, there’s nothing to fix. While the industry raved and ranted about Abaga’s stunt (and divisive wake-up call), one man who went about his business and dropped an album does not think his life needs fixing.

Falz the bad guy gets a lot of disrespect as a rapper. The 27-year-old musician who makes music by delivering his rap in a multi-faceted format isn’t considered by ‘Hip-hop’ heads as a true rapper deserving of support and inclusion in the pantheon of Nigerian rap gods. And this is because of his style of music.

Falz makes music in a unique fashion. He combines numerous elements that aren’t traditional Hip-hop to make striking music. Listening to a typical Falz record will throw up simplicity, humour, fusion and more. He pours himself into every record, telling stories, dealing with issues, and goofing through the beat for effect.

And the fact that it works is a consternation to the ‘custodians of Hip-hop’ in Nigeria. He doesn’t fit into a stereotype, neither does he do anything too well to be considered a master of an element. No one listens to bars from Falz and screams ‘dope’, or ‘Deep!’ You simply get drawn in, entertained and released with a great feeling.

What he goes for is connectivity, and it’s what sustains his artistry, and pushes him over to the edge of success. He falls deep into the camera, lights, action and money. And that upsets a lot of these Hip-hop heads who are dismissive of his success.

“I am happy that people don’t regard me as a core rapper,” Falz says when I ask him about it. “Because if I am to carry Hip-hop on my head, more than the person that invented Hip-hop, then where am I going to place myself.

“At the end of the day, we need to find that perfect balance. This isn’t a hobby, this is our lives. It’s what we do to make a living and pay bills. That commercial value is also very important just as well as not over-dilutingthe spirit of your music. And if you ask me, I think I am doing that, and doing well for myself.”

Let’s look at what Falz has been able to do for himself. One mixtape, three albums in four years, a collaborative EP with Simi, an increase in his fandom, money, opportunities and generally, Falz. He is one of Nigeria’s most prolific rappers, and he deserves the respect for it.

Not that it matters for the Hip-hop heads. Music for them involves a strict adherence to certain rules that govern the creation of music. Falz’s decision to make more inclusive music and push the culture farther than a lot of these acts with their rigid sense of creativity has paid off for him.

Is he impactful? Yes. Does he rank high? Yes. Is he living his best artistic life and generating value for himself and the fans? Yes.

So what is the problem?

Creativity is personal. Making music is a personal expression of talent into art. Anyone can decide to make any type of music, whether traditional or experimental, as long as it is true, serves a purpose, and represents the true state of the creator’s powers.