This is Nigeria by Falz is by far the boldest song from Nigeria
replete with a creative video that seeks to not only disturb but actually does disturb the
sociopolitical and religious system of the Nigerian State, since Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s
music in the history of Nigeria.
Unlike the many attempts at a mimicry of Fela's music which
ends up on the fringes of stimulating and impressing our senses through melody
and rhythm. This is the absolute true Fela-nian spirit, captured in contemporary hip hop music.
Dabbling beautifully between the fluid boundaries of a cover, re-make or re-imagery of Childish Gambino’s This is America, this video has won its own sole standing as a masterful piece depicting true
and orginial This is Nigeria experience.
This is Nigeria; is a big win for the artiste, director and
the Nigerian music industry as a bold dare into an artistic call out only credited in the history of Nigeria to Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
In this three minute, forty two second video, ending shorter than Childish Gambino’s over four minute video, starts with Falz on an analogue radio set
which nicely depicting the technological backwardness of Nigeria (reminding me of the cover of an old book I read from my father's library My Cousin comes to Jo'burg by Mbulelo V. Mzamane). Though shirtless Falz's trousers could pass for a Fela style wear.
A
complete This is Nigeria experience
by Falz can only come from this video.
The video being soft in imagery and graphics depicting the Nigeria situation, makes a lucid case while leaving us a video to be watched by almost anyone.
The reception and critique of this video as a remake
justifies the display of Falz’s message right in front of you rather than
behind as western reviewers pointed out from Childish Gambino’s This is America when placed in acute
juxtaposition.
The hijab wearing female dancers compliment both the
ideological and revolutionary signs Falz makes toward the end of his video
symbolic now to the black and African communities; the Fela-nian spirit and music. The
stereotype of conservative and withdrawn hijab wearing ladies was defiled by ‘the
stride in their steps’, to paraphrase Maya Angelou’s line in the poem Phenomenal Woman. The swing of their
arms is beyond confident to daring.
The brilliance and intelligence in this work, not long after
the original version, doesn’t banter with a message drowned by unnecessary
theatrics and display, as it comes with lyrical balance of Nigeria’s issues and
great rhythm.
The non-compromise in the use of certain illustrations to
communicate, like the Toyota SUV for a scene where a politician gets his son out
of police trouble neglecting the other victims supposedly students like his son
in his company is something Nollywood could learn from, of scene where the
lyrics said little leaving more to the watcher.
See video link here
