‘For under your nose dem kill a whole brigadier general’: Falz tackles Tinubu in ‘Ole’

Nigerian rapper and activist Folarin Falana, known as Falz, has released a new single titled 'Ole,' a 2-minute 15-second track that tackles pressing concerns about insecurity, inflation, and governance in Nigeria. The 35-year-old lawyer-turned-singer has established a reputation for using his music to address social and political issues, following his previous works like "This Is Nigeria," which highlighted corruption, insecurity, and social inequality.

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Many still ain’t really free, Many losing all the will, Many soldiers in the field/Many brothers dem dey kill.

The song's title, 'Ole,' a Yoruba word meaning "thief," is a recurring accusation against political leaders whom the artist claims are failing to confront the nation's escalating challenges. Released amidst growing public anxiety over the rising cost of living and persistent security issues plaguing various regions, the track features some of Falz's most potent political commentary in recent years. He references ongoing kidnappings, killings, and attacks affecting communities across Nigeria, rapping, "Many still ain’t really free, Many losing all the will, Many soldiers in the field/Many brothers dem dey kill." The song also touches on abductions and violent crimes, with Falz stating, "Many people wey dem kidnap. And dem turn them to deceased."

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Many people wey dem kidnap. And dem turn them to deceased.

Beyond the critical security situation, marked by attacks from armed groups, kidnappings for ransom, and communal violence, the rapper also focuses on the economic hardship fueled by soaring inflation and the increasing cost of living. "How many we go take before we don fed up? Inflation rate is high, like my blood pressure," he raps. Falz further criticizes politicians for what he perceives as their exploitation of ethnic divisions and poverty, warning, "Don’t think that you can whip up tribal sentiments for life. Keep keeping people poor and hope that you can weaponise. Hope that you can bank on all the hungry votes that you can buy."

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How many we go take before we don fed up? Inflation rate is high, like my blood pressure.

Questioning the government's response to insecurity, Falz directly references the constitutional duty to protect lives and property, rapping, "Security welfare na the primary job you take." He condemns the killing of security personnel and continued attacks by criminal groups, highlighting a perceived government complacency: "For under your nose dem kill a whole brigadier general. Who dem catch for the crime? Arrest count still on zero." 'Ole' is now available on all streaming platforms.

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Don’t think that you can whip up tribal sentiments for life. Keep keeping people poor and hope that you can weaponise. Hope that you can bank on all the hungry votes that you can buy.