Famous Nigerian rapper, Falz, shared how his upbringing influenced his approach to activism. Falz, who led the #ENDSARS protest in Lagos in 2020, explained that his activism didn’t start that year.
In an interview on the Menisms Podcast, Falz said his activism was inspired by legendary musician Fela Kuti and his father, Femi Falana, who has been an activist for over 40 years. Falz recalled how everywhere he went, people would share stories about his father’s selfless acts.
With Fela’s music and his father’s influence, Falz always had activism in the back of his mind. His conscious awareness and desire for change were evident in his music. By 2020, the need for action had grown, and Falz felt it was time to go beyond just talking about issues and to take concrete steps. Leading the protest was a natural step for him, as he had been vocal about social issues for a long time.
