Falz Tackles Greed and Corruption With Comedy in 'Wehdone Sir'
Falz mocks corrupt preachers and politicians in his new music video for "Wehdon Sir."
Jester Falzis at it again with his heaviest dose of social-consciousness yet, featured in his new single “Wehdone Sir."
What, years ago, I would have called a corruption of the phrase “well done sir," the phrase "wehdone sir” is the result of the indigenization and repurposing of the English language in Nigerian pop culture, irrespective of the inelegance that “proper” speakers of the language might see it as.
This approach has buttered Falz' bread all through his career, so far culminating in him winning various awards like the viewers' choice for Best New International Act at the BET Awards, Best Actor in a Comedy Series/Movie at the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards and Best Album at the People’s Choice Awards before capping off the year with his colorful antics by co-hosting the 2016 Headies.
Preceding the release of “Wehdone Sir” was a series of video clips, in which the artist recounts an absurd claim or event made by someone (possibly made up but likely to be true), and ends by him placing the side of his flattened palm on his nose—a slight variation on the “dab”—and then saying “well done sir/madam” to the offender. A bad, but fitting title for these clips would be something like "Sarcasm Illustrated."
The clips have gone viral as fans and celebs have continued to respond with their own versions, unknown to many that Falz was preparing to release an entire song and video to accompany his "Wehdone Sir" videos.
A video posted by Falz TheBahdGuy (@falzthebahdguy) on
Produced by his regular collaborator Sess the Problem Kid—whose work with Falz is always complimentary and never unnecessarily flashy—it remains to be seen whether this hybrid of the dab and a sort of "Nigerian two step" will become a trend in the vein of the shoki or shakti bobo.
If it does, it will undoubtedly, further entrench Falz and his music in the public consciousness.
The song's first verse is a rehashing of a familiar Falz routine, in which he ridicules those who claim social positions that are beyond their capabilities, done most recently in his single “Foreign” from last year’s joint EP, Chemistry, featuring Nigerian singer Simi, previously reviewed by OkayAfrica.
He ramps it up on the second verse, taking shots at "prosperity preachers" and the naive among its laity who are out there “looking for more cheese" while "apostle getting on Forbes list."
Falz might be a jester, but his social commentary in "Wehdone Sir" is something serious.
Pastor Pastor! 'Appy Sunday #WehdoneSir
A video posted by Falz TheBahdGuy (@falzthebahdguy) on
Sabo Kpade is an Associate Writer with Spread The Word. His short story Chibok was shortlisted for the London Short Story Prize 2015. His first play, Have Mercy on Liverpool Street was longlisted for the Alfred Fagon Award. He lives in London.