There is no denying that music continues to recycle old songs for present-day consumption. Classics that have been lost to memory and nostalgia are being reimagined and repackaged to suit the tunes of the times and Afrobeat is not lost in the trend.
In recent times, Afrobeat has been seen to recycle old tunes, bringing nostalgia and happiness to both the old and young.
Examples of this latest trend are Asake’s “C’mon look”, ID Cabasa’s “Olufunmi reimagined” and Shalipopi’s “Plutomania”. All of these either took chunky samples of old songs or recycled them completely.
This also brings common ground, bridging the gap between the old and young, giving them something to vibe about.
Falz’s Dive into Fuji Gold
Nigerian lawyer turned Afrobeat sensation and rapper, Folarin Falana, also known as Falz or Falz the Bahd guy is not a back bencher on this trend as he also goes back in time to sample some of the timeless pieces of music. He taps into the richness of the Yoruba Fuji musical genre, pulling tunes from Veteran Fuji Icon and pioneer, Sikiru Ololade Ayinde Balogun, MFR, popularly known as Barrister; on his latest album titled: The Feast.
The track titled No Less takes samples from Barrister’s hut track, Fuji Garbage from his album of the same name.
Fuji Gabbage is and continues to be one of the biggest tracks of the Yoruba Fuji music genre. Released in 1988, Fuji Garbage is one of the most iconic Fuji songs that tried to bridge the gap between the Yoruba Musical Genre and the rest of the Nigerian society with lyrics mostly in Yoruba and in English.
Falz goes on to tap into the fuji side of music, using a sample of Barrister’s lines on the track as his opening montage. You can feel the groove coming up as the words come forth:
Maximum enjoyment
Wanna make sure you rise up
And dance to people sound
Genuine and foreign music
No more, no less
No more, no less
No more, no less
Just dance to Fuji Garbage
The “No Less” Vibe: Lyrics and Playfulness
Falz then comes forth with some very flawless Afro rap lines, mixing a potent blend of Yoruba and English to drive home his party vibes:
Ah I want to dance with my Gs
Mo tin stunt lati 1990 (I’ve been stunting since 1990)
Mi o raye jati jati (I do not have time for nonsense)
Bami wa awon girls ton like to party (Help me look for girls that like to party)
Me sef I Dey gbadun baddies (I too enjoy baddies)
On the weekend I dey travel out
Big baller bi Ansu Fati (Big Baller Like Ansu Fati)
Add everything what’s the mathema?
Then comes the hook which does the job in pulling you completely into the party vibe, locking you and your loved one in a tight embrace as you move to the beat:
My Shima make sense (No less) [My girl makes sense]
Tun tun we dey ja latest (No less) [New one that reeks “latest”]
Touchdown and the town dey red (No less) [Touchdown and paint the town red}
Omo butter wey dey try break bread (No less) [High born girl who wants to explore]
The song is one that is suitable for introducing the rest and recreation the weekend brings. It lifts the spirit after a trying week or day at work, engulfing you in the spirit of fun!
Falz comes again on the second verse with a more potent play on words:
Second verse (ehn)
Oo le rimi ninu same circumstance (You can’t find me in the same circumstance)
Ara no dey San one place second time (Lightening doesn’t strike the same place twice)
Mo ti seju si e o tun wa second sign (I winked at you, you’re still waiting for a second sign?)
Pele
Second chance (ehn)
Second try (ou)
Second dance (ah)
Second glass (hey)
Second half (you say?)
C’est comme ci
C’est comme ca
Falz’s Creative Promotion and Cultural Impact
The song shows Falz’s playful, musical dexterity. It is an adult song which is disguised cleverly to appeal to every age grade. No Less is easy to memorise and sing along to. Also, Falz did a pretty good job of creating hype for the song. He teamed up with Nollywood actress and former Lagos State Deputy Governorship aspirant, Funke Akindele (whom he co-stars with as her love interest in the hit comedy series: Jennifer’s diaries) and comedian Isaac Olayiwola, popularly known as Layi Wasabi for a skit.
In the video they all take turns at performing for the camera while the other two dance. The video ends when Falz and Funke Akindele take the dance too far to the shock of Layi Wasabi. The skit has sparked a social media trend with people making their own versions while singing to the song.
Final Words On Falz’s No Less
In essence, the song No less is an ode to Fuji music and its impact on the music culture in Nigeria. It also celebrates the essence of having a good time, especially at a time when things are not as glossy as they should be. Let’s all have some fun this weekend! No more, no less!
