African rappers have to make pop music, Falz speaks on evolution of hip hop

Folarin Falana, an entertainer better known as Falz, says rappers in Africa have to infuse a “groovy” flavour into their music to make it danceable.

Falz said African rappers are extremely creative because they are expected to make pop music yet retain their identity as lyricists.

In an interview with DJ Edu on BBC Radio 1Xtra, the actor cum artiste talked about the evolution of hip hop and the present state of the music genre.

“I think the definition of a rapper has changed,” said Falz. “It’s with the kind of culture that we have as well.

“As Africans, we love to dance. We are very groovy people because even if you are making rap music, you still have to put that groove in there.

“I think hip hop in Africa has always been taking that traditional rap sound and putting a blend of Africa on it.

“At the end of the day, our genre of music is very different from the most popular genre of music. You have to sort of mix it, you have to make pop music but still keep your identity as a rapper.

“So, hip hop here in Africa, now more than ever, I think is most creative because it is very difficult to make that blend.”

Commenting on the series of hip hop styles on the scene in the present day, Falz said it is all part of the growth and expansion of the genre.

He said: “Traditional hip hop is probably the one that I’d say was most prominent around the 90s. That is traditional hip hop. But nowadays, music has evolved. Nowadays, there are a lot of variations to hip hop.

“Now, you have the Migos, you have Drake, you have Kendrick Lamar, you have J-Cole. They are all hip-hop artistes but if you listen to their music, it’s all different sounds.”

Falz in 2017 said Nigerian artistes should not be blamed for the poor lyrical content of their songs, attributing the situation to the demand of the market.