Falana on Falz’s music: I like ‘Wehdone sir’… he’s now talking about Nigeria’s problems

Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, says he’s happy that his son, Folarin, who is popularly known as Falz, is now using his music to talk about Nigeria’s problems.

In an interview with PUNCH, Falana said he wants his son to continue to talk about the problems confronting the society so that those in authority would have sleepless nights and be compelled to address issues plaguing the country.

He said the decision of his son to do music was entirely his as he and his wife do not impose their views on their children.

Falana said when Falz approached him and told him that he was done with legal practice and wanted to face music, he simply wished him success.

“I like wehdone sir, Soldier and quite a number of them. He is now talking about the problems of the society through his songs,” he said.

“I would like him to be more relevant in his songs with the problems confronting the society-poverty, unemployment, preventable diseases, growing illiteracy among others so that he can also give members of the ruling class some sleepless nights to compel them to address the problems plaguing the country.

“The decision to become a musician was entirely his and we try not to impose our views on our children. Our belief is that you need to guide them, give them education, train them to be critically independent and take their decisions because when parents insist and decide to choose careers for their children, it is not always very helpful and it is not the best.

“Therefore, based on my liberal disposition, I didn’t feel disturbed or worried when he walked up to me one day to say, ‘Dad, I’ve had enough of legal practice.’ I just said, ‘It’s barely two years, what do you mean?’ He told me that he was going to follow his own passion-full-time and without any hesitation, I simply wished him success. I was convinced then as I am now that I could not be held liable if he failed. The society would have recognised that I gave him the best education.

“My wife was however worried which again is natural and told me to try and persuade him otherwise because this guy did very well in university in the United Kingdom, excelled in law school  and then he was already trying to become a good lawyer.”