Over a year ago, Ajebutter22 and BOJ teamed up for the incredible Make E No Cause Fight— a joint EP that easily ranks as the best thing either of them has ever put out. Now, they’ve reunited for a Falz-assisted follow-up, Make E No Cause Fight 2.
On the 5-track project, Ajebutter22 and BOJ, both operating at the peak of their powers, confirm that their palpable chemistry is still very much intact; while Falz, who soars on every single track, continues to prove he’s always a great addition to just about anything.
Unlike the original, which explored a wider range of themes, Make E No Cause Fight 2 is a bit more focused on relationships. On “Ronaldo”, the trio use a barrage of football puns to allude to sex, while “Baminam” is about an affair between a friend and a lover.
Like on the first project, the production and BOJ’s hooks stand out, but Ajebutter is somehow even stronger this time around (his verse on “Rock Your Body” is a highlight). As for guests, Reminisce soars on “Faaji”, while Tems’ lowkey work on “Too Many Women” is exquisite.
Creating a sequel that’s both good and necessary can be immensely tasking, and although Make E No Cause Fight 2 isn’t the rare follow-up that surpasses the greatness of its original, it’s still an impressive project that makes a very solid case for its own existence.
Listen to Make E No Cause Fight 2 below:
Halloween is a western tradition that basically involves lots of costuming and sweet sharing but many Nigerians don’t see it that way. For them, engaging in trick or treating is a sure way to turn into a cat and start flying at night.
While people in the abroad were celebrating Halloween yesterday and our very own Falz even threw a Halloween party this week, Nigerian mothers who have banned their children from watching Harry Potter, least they get initiated into witchcraft, were raising their eyebrows.
We feel the pain of Nigerians who simply can’t believe that Halloween is nothing but an occult practice that is cloaked in trifling activities that seem harmless, which is why we’ve created a list of why Halloween cannot happen in Nigeria
1) Nigerian parents that believe that you’ll become a vampire if you watch Twilight for too long
Because those characters can jump out of the TV to turn you
2) The belief that people sharing sweets are distributing witchcraft
…and you’ll see yourself flying at night as bird and waking up in a cave.
3) The belief that the children going from house to house trick-or-treating are evil spirits in children’s form
Why else will children be walking up and down begging for sweets at night?
4) The belief that you’ll be used for money rituals if you attend any Halloween party
Remember the party scene in Jenifa?
5) The belief that the gathering is an unholy one of pagan worshippers
Because anyone that celebrates Halloween is a Satan worshipper
6) Pagan parents who will ask their children which god approved Halloween
…warning them not to offend one god in favour of another, so the don’t get struck by thunder.
7) The belief that the party decorations are cloaked spirits that can be invoked at anytime
Because those fake spiderwebs might have been soaked in juju
8) The belief that anybody that gets excited about Halloween is Devil’s incarnate
Prepare yourself to be excused from all religious activities in Nigeria if you dare go to an Halloween party
But, for real though, imagine how scary it will be if Nigerians embrace Halloween; everyone will be geared up in the most fearful costume, think of our Nigerian gods o–we don’t have tooth fairy here, just ol’ masquerades that walk around with koboko and strike fear by their presence.
Falz’s fourth studio album leaves little to the imagination.
The lead and only single, Talk is Falz pointing fingers as he runs through Nigeria’s most salient problems.
On the day it was released to a social media frenzy, Falz also shared the album jacket, designed by Lemi Ghariokwu, most known for his work for Fela Kuti.
He is also featured on the album. The title, however, gives it all away.
If the album’s title “Moral Instruction” suggest a pious class on Nigeria’s woes and how we’re responsible for the mess we find ourselves in, that’s because it is.
By now, such social commentary is not unexpected from Falz.
You’d have to go as far back as his debut “Wazup Guy” to find what could well count as his first politically-charged song.
On “How Far” featuring Sir Dauda, Falz manages to express genuine shock that the same people have been at the country’s helm for generations.
He then goes on–”They say we go write the future, them no give us pen/Give it up for VIPs, them be our problem/Vagabonds in power, as Fela called them“.
In the years since, Falz has come to embrace commentary and offer his own two cents–most notably on “This is Nigeria”–on issues of cultural and social relevance.
“Moral Instruction” comes at a time where he is a forerunner in the conversation about activist musicians and a new Fela.
It is only fitting then that the album’s opener “Johnny” is led by a boisterous sample of Fela Kuti’s “Johnny Just Drop”.
The story of a young graduate shot by an insecure, trigger-happy police officer is all too familiar to the average Nigerian.
Stellar production by TMXO puts the song at a confluence – Falz’s delivery assures you that this is hip-hop, yet there is that indisputable bounce on the guitar that makes you want to swing and lose yourself.
But there is nothing to swing to. This is, at its core, a sad song.
On the first verse, Falz makes references to the seemingly endless violence in Jos–“Dem kill am for Jos for no just cause/nobody fit comot for house, who born us?“.
He proceeds to narrate the moment when Johnny dies – “una don run go chop, Oya give me my own share/before them talk one, he say ‘shut up!’/who dash you liver/talk small, I go cock gun/small time, e don pull trigger”.
It is in moments like this, when Falz passionately addresses the violent inanities and the lack of decorum that have become part of life in Nigeria, that the album works best.
On “Talk”, he points the finger at the usual suspects – politicians, religious leaders, the regular man and his apathy as reasons for the state of the nation.
“Amen” is where he comes the men at the helm of wealthy religious institutions whom he sees as jet-setting swindlers selling hope for donations and Sunday offering.
“Take our offering set up uni/and your church members no fit afford the school fees” is a line that should incite some conversations in a few Alumni Whatsapp groups.
In an industry helmed by flamboyant stars making assembly-line pop music, Falz is eager to be seen as the one directly addressing issues we have grown numb to.
It is as he emphasises at he ends “Talk” with one final confession–”na me talk am”.
It is when this eagerness veers into contentious territory, that Falz’s brand of activism becomes problematic.
This brand of moral instruction turns a familiar chapter on “Talk”–where he continues a pattern of berating sex work with the lines–”Instead make you work, you dey find Alhaji/Eh eh, you dey find Alhaji/You come turn your body to cash and carry/Eh eh cash and carry“.
His insistence on addressing sex work as an immoral symptom of greed has drawn criticism.
But the outrage became much louder after journalist Joey Akan posted a video of him explaining his distaste for ‘transactional sex’ (amidst several questionable uses of the term “feminist”) at his listening party–which is being interpreted as a sense of entitlement to women’s bodies.
The problem with using morality as a lens is that it is entirely subjective and constantly evolving.
Our ideas of good and bad overlap at obvious points –bad governance, corruption, murder–but at others, holding one’s beliefs over another’s can reek of self-righteousness.
Unlike his appraisal of religion, Falz’s personal opinion about sex work refuses to explain how it sits in the larger context of societal ills and the sorry state of our nation.
The reality of sex work in Nigeria, more often than not, is the result of too many social factors.
Falz addresses some of them but others, like simple choice and outdated laws are beyond his scope on the album.
However one may feel about ‘transactional sex’ though, we cannot strip people of their right over their own bodies.
Falz’s approach is problematic – but not fatal.
That’s because “Moral Instruction” and the incisive political critique it pulls off is held together by some very good music.
Trap meets Fela’s disruptive energy on “Follow Follow” via a sample of the classic “Zombie”.
The result is a song that has the potential to distract you from the fact that 30 years after, we, not soldiers, are the zombies here.
“Amen” is as rich as red velvet cake. It is led by a poignant sample of Fela’s “Coffin For Head of State”, and thickened with excerpts from interviews and Falz at his most lyrical in years.
In an important election year, Falz’s moral instruction is a reminder that we have become all too comfortable in this dysfunctional society we’ve made for ourselves.
At its best, it is militant and demanding. At its most controversial, it is another’s can and nearly disappointing.
For everything he does to address our collective apathy, his choice to point fingers at perceived wrongdoers on the basis of his own opinion feels like an easy way out.
To his credit, Falz seems to acknowledge this on the album’s final track where he says “After all is said and done/I do not have the right to direct the finger of guilt or the look of contempt at my guy/for even I can barely see through the speck in my eye” but it’s a little late.
It is almost a given that this album will be defined by the nuance in the conversations it has and inspires.
It makes the album more apt for the times than we could have guessed.
The curse of morality is that even though we all agree certain things are wrong, no-one, not even Falz or the funky ghost of Fela’s activism is ever absolutely right.
No matter how much the highs of a good year take the most avid fan, January inevitably brings with it one question; What next?
2018 was, in ways, a watershed moment in Nigerian music. A new king took the throne, a new queen sent out her statement of intent, and on the international stage, we won big.
The question will now be asked of the people who dominated the conversation in 2018, like Burna, and those who, like Peruzzi, have everything to prove.
These artists may still be reeling from the hangover of a very detty December but it’s never too early for new music.
Some of my faves have already announced they’ll be dropping new music this year. Others are, well, toying with our emotions.
But that never stopped anyone from expecting what we deserve. Definitely not me.
Davido – TBA
It seems like a century ago that Davido dropped that debut album.
Ice Prince was the superstar. Reminisce was finally breaking out. And Davido’s music seemed, to most casual fans, like a labour of love.
Now, he’s the big dog–record label chairman, international hitmaker and father of two daughters. He’s entering this year at the peak of his powers, with two of the best songwriters on his team and an expectant audience.
David’s mentions of the project have hardly gone past references to “My album…” but it’s almost certain OBO’s sophomore drops this year. The timing couldn’t be better. God safe us when it happens.
Maleek Berry – TBD
I can imagine a future where a white-haired former journalist explains to a room full of kids how a record producer reinvented himself as a pop star over the course of two brief, delicious EPs.
After learning the ropes as part of Wizkid and Wande Coal’s teams, Maleek is now a verified heavyweight on his own.
Now established on two continents, and already shaking the right hands in the US, Mr Berry’s debut is due, and he knows it.
Melodies abound for this man, and Maleek on his day can take you from Ikoyi to Rio in the same song.
That and his Afropop leanings have reflected on two stellar EPs–now it’s time for the coup de grace and the final chapter of a transition made in Gbedu Zion.
Santi – TBA
“Santino has this city in a headlock”–a tweet read after Santi, the mysterious, dreadlocked rager who makes anthems for a generation rocked a crowd of his peers to a sweat-soaked frenzy at a concert last December.
Over several years, Santi has built the cosigns, the records, the loyal cult following for the moments that are bound to come.
He may be little more than the face of the alternative music scene in Lagos now but almost everyone who’s a fan of the kid swears he’s the one.
After ending the year on a high with “Rapid Fire”, it’s a good thing that Santi began the year by announcing an album for January. We’ve been waiting for a while.
Wizkid – Made In Lagos
If you listen to the people who treat music as a lifeforce, the face of Afropop’s tour of the UK and the US is on his way back home.
Few pop stars can spend a decade topping charts while carrying a genre’s finest elements to new ears around the world.
But it would be unwise to count Wizkid out.
His fourth studio album has been touted as a return to the source – to Lagos and the overcrowded studios where it all began.
It may be where Wizkid finds the sauce to blow our minds again.
Burna Boy – TBA
Burna Boy’s 2018 was written in the stars–a beautiful story of overcoming one’s predilections that you could adapt into 30 languages.
But it’s over now. And no-one will know more than Burna that you’re only as good as the people’s last memory of you.
There’s word that last year’s “Outside” is the prelude to something else; a mixtape that took on bigger importance with an international record deal and a few collaborations.
Now Burna’s settled into big boy mode. Let’s see him swing for the stars.
Falz – TBA
Steady, consistent, calculated. Falz is a marketing course waiting to be studied. First introduced to us as a quirky, funny gimmick, Falz now comes up in conversations about new Felas and the best Nigerian rappers.
All of this while taking statues at award shows and offering poignant commentary.
He is in the big league now, which is why he must punch at even higher weights. Can Falz take Nigerian hip-hop to a new place? Can he take a very vacant throne even? What happens when he stops trying to be funny?
This could be the album that answers all those questions.
Tiwa Savage – TBA
The only woman in the game who can touch Tiwa lives in France.
Mummy Jam-Jam is proof that angels never die or get old.
Just when we thought we’d seen the best, Tiwa underwent a reinvention in 2018 helped undoubtedly by rumours of a fling with a certain Starboy.
Never mind that while all that was festering, she dropped one of the biggest songs of the year in “Ma Lo” and took a ride on the Duncan Mighty train with one of the better collaborations, “Lova Lova”.
The Tiwa who made R.E.D seems so far away now. Which is why this one has to drop that album so we can get to know her better.
Reminisce – TBA
Reminisce’s nickname literally translates to Chairman. Chairman in the sense of a gang leader who tries to usurp a king of boys, or an indigenous rapper who will hold his own in Queen’s English with the finest of the bunch.
Staying in the conversation in 2018 would have been enough for Reminisce, but the man’s role in one of 2018’s best movies reminded us of all the things we love about Baba Hafusa – grit, ambition and versatility.
2019 is the year where Alaga reminds us what he can do behind the mic.
Lady Donli – TBA
To some, she’s the female face of the Alte community. To others, she’s the unknown young singer who made a criminally brief festival on the intro to Mr Eazi’s 2018 album, “London To Lagos”.
Either way, Lady Donli is coming for your necks in a flowing dress, with cowries in her locks and the sensation of an old soul.
After a year spent in bars and arenas in Europe and North America, she’s back at home.
Her tweets suggest she’s in the studio, and with the experiences she’s gathered on the road for inspiration, we won’t be against Lady Donli striking gold on her debut.
Runtown – TBA
Runtown is like the uncle from Texas who we hardly hear from, until he calls on a Friday afternoon and the entire family gathers around the phone like loyal fans. Label battles have played their part in keeping him away for stints at a time but the singer says the worst is in the past now. If songs like “Oh Oh Oh (Lucie)” and “No Permission” are anything to go by, Runtown has finally found his aesthetic.
It may seem obvious that we’ll get the laid-back, dreamy Afropop he silenced doubters with in 2016, but that’s fine because it’s just what we want.
Teni – TBA
Love abounds for Teni. Unknown to most at the start of the year, she ended 2018 as the year’s biggest revelation, a viral sensation that is fiercely loved by her fans. Teni ticks all the boxes that should matter–she has the range, she writes like a ghetto poet and her talent for making songs is freakish–as evidenced in those Instagram videos where she makes demos out of unsuspecting friends.
She’s begun the year with a headstart–the absolutely uplifting “Uyo Meyo” and if we can rely on her record, another single should be in the offing.
Few Nigerian prodigies have ignored such raw desire for their music over time.
In Teni’s case, it would be almost criminal, because we know Makanaki can pull off something beautiful.
Tekno – TBA
As with most nascent spaces, Nigerian music has regularly churned out a new successor (or pretender to the throne) each year–one artist who changes the texture of the popular sound, puts out the year’s biggest single or just shows an astounding level of promise.
In 2017, that person was Tekno. Yet, despite heavy demand for a full body of work, Tekno chose to ride out on the strength of singles.
There is little doubt that the man knows his stuff–melody and an innate sense of rhythm drive his music and has also provided hits for peers like Davido.
Sadly, illness ultimately slowed down his pace as 2018 wound down.
With all the big dogs dropping this year, it might be time for Tekno to put his hat in the race and finally claim his place.
Falz the good guy?
People were in too many feelings over the weekend when Falz dropped “This is Nigeria”. It’s not just another music video, it’s a remake of Childish Gambino’s own video. Like “This is America”, it focused on crucial issues happening, and how we generally respond to them.
We were fascinated by peoples reactions, for example;
Falz the Copycat!
A ton of people attacked Falz, saying he copied Childish Gambino.. I mean it’s a parody. That’s the point of a parody, right?
Childish Gabino’s Concept, Falz issa Copy 🐱 ….Love it though 😁😁
— DA’ CLAIRVOYANT 💧 (@williamsoracle) May 25, 2018
OMG Falz is buff?
Female fans couldn’t help but notice Falz is actually built to their standards, as our guy was shirtless through the entire video! Would he get more affection now?
Falz just wanted to show us his tight body. 😀 But jokes aside this is a brilliant video — so well executed and so timely. Let’s make this video trend! Watch it. Share it!
This is God speaking to me, I will change Nigeria!
Falz clearly inspired Nigerian youths, by speaking about these issues.
So much that some of us are thinking of running for president! Nothing is impossible sha
‘falz has inspired me to run for presidency 😭😭’ @falzthebahdguy
This would really bang as our national anthem right? think about it.. I know you’re thinking about it now.. okay lets start *this is Nigeriaaaa*
no? okay no!
Henceforth, we the people of Nigeria adopt #ThisIsNigeria by falz as our national anthem.
“What if Sarz sees this and gets angry and comes for falz? omg we need to protect falz!” Helppppp!!!
Wouldn’t be surprised if Falz’s #ThisIsNigeria gets banned. Wouldn’t be surprised if the government should send their dogs EFCC, DSS, Police, SARS or even the Military after Falz. These issues are long over due to be voiced, and the government’s insensitivity is simply amazing!
Falz’ fans are taking this too far.. the rest of twitter believes! we’re just going to grab a bowl of popcorn and watch this wonderful fight till it ends.. *currently whistling ‘this is Nigeria’ *
Y’all gotta chill at times and slow down. You can’t compare parody/remix with the real version.
Falz wouldn’t have come up with the concept if Gambino didn’t invent it. They both passed the msg so rest! https://t.co/yi2Uz0Czju
Yes, yes, but he deserves some credit for the effort. Perhaps, this should push other people to want to create socially conscious work and uplift the conversation.=
What do you guys think? Watch the full video here.
From fantastic music to hilarious skits, we’re all thankful for the blessing that is Folarin Falana, the guy you know as ‘Falz the bad guy’. Think you know everything about Falz? Here are 5 things you’ve not heard before.
1. He can’t come to terms with how swimming works.
Not even in a bathtub o!
2. He’s actually a really shy person.
Why shall you shy, Falz?
3. He likes to be by himself, but he’s definitely not a loner.
He likes to reflect.
4. He can’t eat rice with fork, and neither can we!
Who does that?
5. If you haven’t noticed, the guy is a ‘geenuoz’! See for yourself!
But he surprised us o! He threw mad shade at the Onigbese people that called him for a show but refused to pay.
Eh ya! his fans won’t be seeing him perform at the show.
But what shocked us was how he switched from his signature comedic mode to a very serious, ‘phoney-speaking’ professional.
Abeg, who is owing Falz money o?
Come and pay your gbese so people can turn up abeg!
This guy doesn’t call himself Falz the Bahd guy for nothing.
First of all, he’s ridiculously funny.
Secondly, he’s a good actor and is the only Nigerian rapper with an AMCVA award.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IUhG4l82V0
He’s fine AF.
He has made his own fashion statement with his signature sunglasses.
As a brand ambassador, he totally slays adverts without having any chill.
And finally, he just got nominated for the Best New International Act at the BET Awards.
To vote for him, simply repost this photo on Instagram using #PickFALZ. Good-luck to Falz on this one and hope he brings the award home!
On the first episode of MTV Base’s ‘The Bigger Friday Show, Davido got pranked and his reaction was priceless.
So Falz Da Bahd guy dropped a new music video and the mini movie is already a challenge to Nollywood.
These are the thoughts that crossed our mind while watching it.
Leggo!
Of course it’s by Bahd Guys Records.
Ah! This one is a movie oh.
Yes! Adeyemi Okanlawon! This is Clarence Peters handwork too.
Ah! Indeed this is a movie!
Is this view from a helicopter or a drone?
Falz has become a news reporter. Lmao! Shawn Stober.
Ah! They kidnapped Simi.
Rescue mission on the way!
Lmao! See Adeyemi’s face. Looks like the rescue mission was successful.
Okay. Flashback.
Liking how local they went for the video.
Fine boys, no pimples.
Aww. He’s going to surprise his bae.
It’s like they’re not a couple yet. See the serious eye she’s giving him.
Yasss! The song has begun. Skip to 5:25 mins if you don’t want to watch the drama.
Her friends are not nice oh. All this shege for one person.
Nice ad placement.
Nawa oh. Stand off because of love.
Eh heh! Sexy teacher.
Falz has become a stalker. She doesn’t want oh.
The Yoruba mother has arrived. Lmao! He is finished!
Eh ya. Look at him. Because of a girl.
She finally changed her mind. Lol!
This bomb blast na one in town!
They kidnapped all the girls!
Wow! See abs! See chocolate abs!
Adeyemi is using Simi to blackmail him.
What?! There’s part three?! Seriously?! It has turned into a Nollywood movie series! And it was about to get really good too!
Is this a music video or a movie? Either way, we love it! It was rather entertaining. This is obviously the continuation of the Jamb Question video. Although Adeyemi is the bad guy here, we still like him jaare! Falz and Simi have undeniable chemistry and they’re really great actors. This video is obviously a combination of good music and good cinematography. Definitely looking forward to part three!
