Rapper, actor, and activist Falz is once again using his platform to speak truth to power and this time, he’s turning his lens on Africa’s collective mindset.
In a recent interview, the socially conscious artiste opened up about the central theme of his forthcoming project, The Feast. According to Falz, the album is rooted in the concept of community, a value he believes is critical for meaningful progress in Nigeria and across the continent.
“The message I’m pushing is about community,” he explained. “We seriously need to shift away from this toxic ‘every man for himself’ mentality. That mindset has done more harm than good.”
Falz didn’t hold back in addressing one of Africa’s deepest challenges self-serving leadership. He noted that many politicians operate with a narrow focus, prioritizing personal gain over the welfare of the people.
“We’re always complaining about bad governance, but at the root of it is this selfish mentality,” he said. “A leader gets into office and the first thing he does is steal money. As long as he and his family are comfortable, everyone else is forgotten. That’s not leadership, and it’s definitely not sustainable.”
But Falz also turned the mirror on everyday citizens, stressing that this flawed mindset isn’t exclusive to those in power.
“Even the average person thinks that way,” he noted. “It’s become ingrained in our culture and that needs to change. We have to start thinking about the collective. We need to care for each other, support each other. That’s the only way we’ll grow and truly unlock our potential as a people.”
While The Feast doesn’t hit as hard with overt political commentary like some of Falz’s past work, he described the project as more nuanced and introspective.
“It’s not as intense or in-your-face as some of my earlier stuff,” he said. “But the message is there if you really sit with it, you’ll get it.”
