Falz

Inspired by his parents, who are well-known human rights activists, Nigerian rapper Falz spent several years working as a lawyer while building his music career. ∙ His breakout hit, “Marry Me”—from his 2014 debut album, Wazup Guy—showcased the smooth flow and comedic lyrics that made him a radio staple. ∙ Falz attracted global attention in 2018, when Diddy shared the video for “This Is Nigeria,” a riff on Childish Gambino’s “This Is America,” which now has nearly 20 million views. ∙ 2019’s Moral Instruction, which features several Fela Kuti samples and a more socially conscious sound, won a trio of honors at Nigerian music industry awards show The Headies. ∙ He earned a pair of Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards for his roles in the TV series Jenifa’s Diary and the film New Money, which also includes several of his songs. ∙ Nigeria’s version of televised singing competition The Voice tapped him as a celebrity judge for its third season.