Several weeks ago Childish Gambino's hit "This Is America" landed online and took the world by storm. The single and video became an instant topic for conversation, a subject for analysis and a cultural moment dominating headlines.
In that time, there have been imitators but few have actually captured the political nuances Gambino infused in the original, until now. Nigerian artist Falz has taken "This Is America" and applied it to the social and political ills tearing apart his beloved nation.
"This Is Nigeria," which was released by the rapper Friday, has delivered a biting critique of political corruption, money-grubbing pastors and the ongoing fight with Boko Haram.
The video — directed by Prodigeezy — has been getting dissected at this very moment in the same vein as Gambino's hit.
The track starts off with a blunt intro letting people know what's in store. His father, lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana does the voiceover in the beginning. Then, all hell breaks loose.
"This is Nigeria, look how I'm living now, look how I'm living now. Everybody be criminal," Falz rhymes.
Dancing girls, dressed in religious garb, reminiscent of the missing Chibok girls, flank his sides as he moves around the chaos. Unlike Gambino's video, Falz walks close enough to the danger so that the viewer can clearly see what he means and no subject is taboo.
In the song, Falz touches on internet fraud, government corruption, Nigeria's slow response to the missing Chibok girls, over-policing, the nation's youth drug epidemic and extreme consumerism.
He ends the video with a re-enactment of Nigeria's Inspector General Ibrahim Idris struggling to give a speech, Okayplayer notes.
Fans are hailing Falz's latest as a masterpiece.
#ThisIsNigeria everybody be criminal.
This is Nigeria, where Madam Philomena. Money vanish for your office thirty six million, you say na animal
Falz ????— Kizito (@OgaKizito) May 25, 2018
In #ThisIsNigeria, Falz used humour and a very creative concept to address the most pressing issues in Nigeria. This is what most people are afraid to voice out.
This is what we need to see more of in Nigeria. Music with a real message.
— Iseunife The First (@Shawnife_) May 26, 2018
This is Nigeria is so so so good. Sorry to be shallow but also Falz’s abs ????????????
— Fisayo Longe (@FisayoLonge) May 26, 2018
This is Nigeria, Falz speaking the truth , Oh God of creation , direct our noble cause, guide our leaders right …. https://t.co/1HfdwikG4k
— rachel rieninwa (@rakhel_21) May 26, 2018
Take a look for yourself. Here's the full video below: