THEWILL DOWNTOWN JAN 01, 2022 EDITION

Cover illustration by Victor Asowata

VOL 2 NO.01 • NEW YEAR EDITION, 2022

BEAUTY TRENDS TO EXPECT IN

2022 Ugh! Not Another New Year’s Resolution

CRYSTAL BALL Starring 30+ Creatives Poised to Conquer 2022

VOL 2 NO.01 • NEW YEAR EDITION, 2022

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THEWILL DOWNTOWN

THEWILL DOWNTOWN

VOL 2 NO.01 • NEW YEAR EDITION, 2022

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Photo: Kola Oshalusi @insignamedia Makeup: Desire Onyema @desire_makeover

EDITOR’S NOTE

T

hey say it is darkest just before dawn. As I cast my mind over the dark times of the past year: losing friends, acquaintances, celebrities, and icons we have come to love, I have tried to redirect my thoughts towards positive things and do believe that it is time for light to come bursting in.

But 2021 wasn’t all doom and gloom. For many, it was a time of renewal and discovery. Many achieved their dreams and found peace. Many aspects of 2021 also brought laughter, particularly the creative space.

For instance, I had seen some previews of a Youtube series, Therapy, starring Folarin “Falz’ Falana and Toke Makinwa, as the young couple, Mr. and Mrs. Sarunmi. So, on Christmas Day, I shut down work and decided to watch a few episodes.

Boy did I laugh! It was so funny that while taking a break to make a salad, I burst out laughing when I remembered a scene. It must have been pretty loud because my maid asked if I was on the phone! It’s one of the best web series out there, and you should check it out if you haven’t.

Speaking of creatives, this week, our cover story, “DOWNTOWN’s Crystal Ball: Starring 30+ creatives poised to conquer 2022”, is a compilation of must-know creatives who we predict to shine in 2022. (See pages 8-10).

CONTENTS

COVER DOWNTOWN’S CRYSTAL BALL STARRING 30+ CREATIVES POISED TO CONQUER 2022

16 SÓRÓSOKE DOWNTOWN SIMSS THE DJ

15

04

LIVING 4 COLOUR TRENDS FOR 2022

FASHION LES HEAT?...

STAY CHIC!

14

05

LIVING UGH! NOT ANOTHER NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION

FASHION HAT ATTACK

Cover illustration by Victor Asowata

06

DOWNTOWN CONFIDENTIAL IT’S ELECTRIC...

07 ONAH’S EDIT ONAH LOVES

It is that time of year when it gets hot, and so one of the articles suggests ways you ladies can stay chic through the heat. We didn’t leave out the men, there’s a piece about hats, just for you.

(See “Les Heat? ...Stay Chic,” and “Hat Attack,” pages 4-5).

Downtown Confidential talks electric sex... literally, while our beauty pages showcase trends and skincare technology set to take center stage this year, (see pages 6 and 12-13). Don’t miss the movie review, sorosoke DOWNTOWN, and living pages; each with great content including ways to stick to your New Year’s resolution.

I introduce a new page, (see “Onah Loves” page 7) where I list a few things I discover over time... I hope you like it.

From all of us at DOWNTOWN, Happy New Year!

12-13

11

BEAUTY

REVIEW THE MOST ANTICIPATED FILMS OF 2022

Odun Ogunbiyi @oddbodandthecity

- Contributing Editor Odunayo Ogunbiyi is an ex pharmacist with a passion for food and pampering. Writing about her exploits wherever in the world she may find herself is just her way of staying sane in this zany world.

Boluwatife Adesina @bolugramm - Contributing Writer Boluwatife Adesina is a media writer and the helmer of the Downtown Review page. He’s probably in a cinema near you.

BEAUTY TRENDS TO EXPECT IN 2022

WHAT YOU SAID INSTAGRAM @iam_babygovernor

Until next week, enjoy your read.

Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa

AUSTYN OGANNAH

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Editor: Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa Editor-at-Large: Chalya Shagaya Senior Lifestyle Editor: Ayodele Johnson Writers: Kehinde Fagbule, Tilewa Kazeem Graphics/Layout: Olaniyan John Digital Media: Oladimeji Balogun Guest Art Director: Sunny Hughes ‘ SunZA’ www.thewilldowntown.com thewilldowntown thewilldowntown

David Nwachukwu@ebube.nw - Contributing Writer David Nwachukwu has always been immersed in fashion from the age of 10, watching a Dior by Galliano show on television.

His work in fashion stretches across media, marketing, brand communications as well as design.As a fashion & lifestyle journalist, David has tracked key industry data for various publications including Industrie Africa, Culture Custodian, Haute Fashion Africa, and HELLO! Nigeria. A Geography graduate from The University of Lagos, David consciously aligns this background in environmental advocacy and sustainable development with the need to promote a more ethical fashion ecosystem. He currently oversees strategic FRPPXQLFDWLRQV DW &OHDQ 7HFKQRORJ\ +XE b

@oludavid

@ monalisacode

Efua Oyofo @efuastar

- Contributing Writer Efua has always enjoyed telling stories.

A writer and cultural storyteller, Efua Oyofo helps clients tell their most compelling story. She focuses on social impact storytelling, and hosts a podcast: This African Love, exploring the culture of dating - and helping people develop more effective ways to navigate relationships in today’s world.

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VOL 2 NO.01 • NEW YEAR EDITION, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN

FASHION

3

BY AYODELE JOHNSON

Les Heat?...

Stay Chic!

Laid Back Looks For The Busy Person This Festive Season

T

his festive season has slowly built momentum as COVID exerts more pressure on daily life. There shall be avenues to have fun although officials will do their best to see that events are managed to specifications and the year-round workaholics are going about scaled-down deliverables in these breezy styles.

Festive Season Cool

An off-white plain blouse sitting on a patterned pair of trousers can be cool while getting work done around a busy holiday schedule. Jermaine Blue’s mix of both is an apt trigger to ocean breeze charm WKLV VHDVRQ b In Jermaine Blue’s Pixie dress for females, you can fit the image of a pop star. It is suitable to switch on the go from work mode to chilling at evening PL[HUV b

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eatwaves all year round come along with so much discomfort that everyone can do without. Moving around the megacity of Lagos feels more difficult with the sweltering heat that messes up carefully applied makeup and leaves women always with a need to retouch. It matters to be comfortable, and this starts with the ideal clothing. Wherever the scene, the blistering hot impact of global warming is changing the choices people make with regards to fashion.

Yet, they are not trapped in the sting of heat – there are opportunities in a stylish wardrobe that shields one from the hot days ahead.

Roseline ‘Liquorose’ Afije Spring Summer 21 Collection

by Jermaine Blue

Tiwa Savage

ARMED AND READY

Freedom And Colour

Clothes that expose the arms are perfect for a rather hot day. Feeling the breeze dash WKURXJK FDQ KHOS \RX WR IHHO OHVV ZDUP b

Say you are the startup owner of a thriving non-profit or business, Sisiano’s The Mia is loose on the side and attractive to a stylish, time-ordered workaholic who does not wish to wear their busy life. This outfit is also SHUIHFW IRU D JHWDZD\ b

Gbemi OlateruOlagbegi

SHORT ‘N’ SWEET Keeping it short in a skirt used to be a thing up to the nineties. Nowadays, it is the age of jeans reaching down to the feet. Although it facilitates sharpness for a busy day, it does not guarantee the coolness of the breeze to pass through you as it should. Opt for shorts instead.

Model For Sisiano

Sisiano’s ‘The Mia’

Omowunmi Onalaja

BILLOW AWAY

New Year Feel

Linda Ejiofor-Sulieman and Ohimai Atafo

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No more feeling formal while it feels like work will never end. Blazers whisper softly to the scrutinizing sense of a watching audience who cares to notice your style. You can live that in Mai Atafo’s hybrid of styles that considers C-suites and the room for bromance.

Wide, flowing gowns can open up your body to the abundance of air from over and underneath you. Like loosely-tied tents, in their fragile texture, they flow with wind direction the way curtain OLQHQ ZRXOG PRYH b

Jennifer Hudson

THEWILL DOWNTOWN

VOL 2 NO.01 • NEW YEAR EDITION, 2022

FASHION

P

robably one of the least thought-about menswear actuaries is hats. They hold the power of altering an entire outfit but still, we pay so little attention to them. All through the history of pop culture and in recent years, hats have stamped their authority as a must-have. Think of movies like The Godfather and Peaky Blinders that in their entirety imbibed the hat-wearing culture.

Adorning an outfit with an Anderson & Sheppard fedora or the famous Kangol is sure to make you stand out with a snappy and classy touch. Here’s a list of 5 of the most dependable brands in the fashion world.

BY TILEWA KAZEEM

Lock & Co. Hatters Known for its prestige, history, and tradition, the British brand has served hat lovers since 1600. Despite being more than 200 years old, they are still known and sought after worldwide.

Borsalino This hat brand has been producing high-quality felt fedoras since 1857 in Italy. It identifies as the most recognizable brand in the world. If you find yourself second-guessing which hat to opt p for,, then havingg a Borsalino will do you no harm.

Flat Cap LOCK & CO HATTERS

Kangol Often overgeneralized as every Panama-style hat in Nigeria, this brand is somewhat acquired but is met with DSSUREDWLRQ ZKHQ SXOOHG RII FRUUHFWO\ b

Panama Fadora Hat BORSALINO

Bailey Exceptional craftsmanship is always assured when you decide to add the American hat brand to your stash. Catering to the needs of gentlemen since its inception in 1922, this timeless piece has capped its place as one of the very best in the game.

White Bermuda Bucket Hat KANGOL

New Era

Salem Braided Straw Fedora BAILEY

This renowned hat brand reigns supreme in the snapback business.

Responsible for influencingg looks all through pop culture, its infiltration into fashion will forever be remembered. It remains the exclusive producer of on-field caps worn by everyy major league baseball team.

New York Yankees Fitted Hat NEW ERA

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THEW TH EWIL ILLL DO O WN WNTO TOWN WN THEWILL DOWNTOWN

VOL 2 NO.01 • NEW YEAR EDITION, 2022

DOWNTOWN CONFIDENTIAL

It’s Electric...

BY TILEWA KAZEEM

I

have learnt a couple of things skiing down this sexual learning slope over the past few months. I have dug deep into my mental archives to unearth, dust out, and update old memories I had tossed into a chest and concealed beneath a bed in my brain.

This new knowledge has sometimes, left me contemplating how far I would go to achieve transcendent sex. A pleasure so consuming that the thought of holding back tears feels so torturous.

Discussions of butt plugs, tongues, and sweet liquid substances crawling through crevices, have made me understand that at the end of the day, it all still trickles down to the same three-letter word and the feeling that shelters it. Pleasure.

What we’ve come to discover about this word is; no matter what shape, style, or form it disguises itself in, it is never not recognizable.

It does not discriminate nor does it have limits.

We, on the other hand, are hampered by our thresholds—whatever they might be.

It is something that takes the front burner.

The priority of not biting off more than you chew—even if any form of biting is a travesty in sex, you get the idea. As attractive, exotic, and pleasant as the buffet of sexual cuisines are, certain ones would have you running at 100mph to the nearest toilet or some would outrightly leave you stunned.

On one of my purpose-driven research sessions, I tripped on an entanglement of links and hyperlinks to discover a sexual predilection that shocked me to my core—emphasis on the shocked. It’s called “electro-sex.” I’m sure Iron Man will not be so happy that we have discovered what has kept him and Penny Pots together for so long but it couldn’t have stayed a secret forever.

Nope, do not clean your glasses and press whatever screen you’re reading this on tightly to your face. You read correctly, electro-sex is a thing. Stunned?

Apparently, it has been around for quite some time as well. Erotic electrostimulation involves the use of a power source to apply electrical stimulation to the nervous tissue of the body, particularly the genital area, to stimulate sexual desire.

This practice dates as far back as the 1700s but it wasn’t until the late 1980s before e-stim machines were perfected. These devices are used to send regulated, electric waves to the sexual parts of the body.

Decades before then, scientific researchers discovered that naked wires could deliver jolts of electricity to help relax nerves and muscles.

It is a discovery that brought about some medical gadgets used in hospitals worldwide.

The waveforms of more modern electric

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stimulation machines are more complex as opposed to the simple, pulsed, and smooth waves used by older units. Acoustic or prerecorded signals, such as music, or specially designed computer files can be used for specific types of stimulation. No part of the body is above electrical prodding; the nipples, penis, testicles all have an involuntary subscription to zaps.

As far as electric sexual encounters go, I can not help but revisit the coveted ‘first time’ which happens to be the plot of some of my favourite romantic comedies and also the title of the best in the lot. Dad, if you’re reading this... I guess you know now.

It was sometime during my first year in university and there was this girl I had a massive crush on at the time. The problem was she was older, much older and she wasn’t impressed with suave moves and bars I was dropping (please bear in mind I’m Michael B. Jordan in this story.)

After repeated visits to her class during free periods, I gradually melted a portion of the wall of ice she had built around herself and wriggled in. Eventually, after three months of trials to get her number, she finally punched her digits into my banged-up Samsung smartphone. Alas! Victory.

As days turned into weeks and then into months, we got closer and then inseparable.

The long walks beneath the scorching sun to get to her department didn’t phase me. I was smitten. I had found my Lori Harvey and I didn’t mind the world knowing. We were “God when” before the phrase became popular.

We had made plans for her to visit me before our joint class by 2 pm the next day. That night, we had both said things and sent things. All signs were pointing towards me losing my v-card the next day, so I went to bed early to expedite things.

The day is Wednesday and she’s on her way over. My roommate’s dilly-dallying is getting on my nerves but I drown my memory with

Neon Wand ELECTROEROCTIC

thoughts of my lips around her caramel-shaded areola so nothing he did bothered me.

She’s been sitting on my bed, surfing through the catalogue of movies on my computer, and guess what? My roommate still hadn’t left for his class. I carried out my frustrations on the dishes I was washing and unconsciously turned her breakfast of noodles and egg into a pool of noodles and a soft-boiled egg. Of course, I lied and said that was how I liked my eggs but she knew the truth.

Eventually, my roommate left and we could finally be together alone and we couldn’t keep our hands to ourselves. My research had taken me as far as cunnilingus and my obvious lack of knowledge was evident—even astronauts in space could see if they cared to look. But I guess it’s a natural stimulus of being a novice.

It was time to take the plunge and as expected I stuck it in the wrong hole.

Like a baby taking his first steps, she led me to the ‘promised land’. My immediate response, however, broke the stereotype of letting out a sigh of pleasure or tears building up at the corner of your eyes. Like a dog finally seeing a bone, I drooled on her by accident.

Michael B would never do that but hear me out. It was my first time and she was sweet enough to not put pressure on me at that moment. She waited until we were in class and from then till we graduated to remind me. Hey, I know there weren’t any terminals connected to nipples or testicles but I can tell you I saw sparks that day.

Like the beginning of all WWE shows, I advise you not to try this with any bare wire you see laying around.

Don’t plug yourself to your generator all in the name of an electric orgasm.

You and your private parts might not function the right way after that.

But if you do end up trying it under controlled conditions or you’ve tried it before. Please, by all means, you are welcome to share your electrifying sex story with us. While we wait, I’d like to toss this out there. Are you willing to jump-start your sex life with this BDSM kink or you’d rather leave electrical distribution to NEPA? Feel free to let us know as well.

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VO L 2 NO.01 VOL NO O.0 . 1 • NEW NE W YEAR YEE AR EDITION, E DITII ON O , 2022 2 022 2

ONAH’S EDIT

Knowing Notebook Set CARROL BOYES

ONAH

LOVES

DOWNTOWN’s editor, Onah Nwachukwu, puts the spotlight on a few things; from home décor to one of her favourite wines.

Green Ivy Drape Dress BRIDGET AWOSIKA

Sauvignon Blanc CLOUDY BAY

Flora Scarf GUCCI Cherry Blossom Easel Frame MICHEAL ARAM

Hero Classic Classic ZASHADU

Elixir Des Merveilles HERMES

Fluoro Cuff BEX ROX

Abstract Nail Art DAMILOLA TEJUOSHO La Panthere Bangle ggle Watch CARTIER R

PPAGE 7

VOL 2 NO.01 • NEW YEAR EDITION, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN

COVER

CRYSTAL BALL

Starring 30+ Creatives Poised to Conquer 2022

T

he creative industry was perhaps the biggest benefactor of what was a rather difficult year plagued by a pandemic and several events that triggered nationwide anxiety. As more people spent their time working remotely and avoiding physical contact with other humans, their screentime shot through the roof, and their

MUSIC Adedamola Adefolahan ‘Fireboy’

In 2019, when he released his first studio album, Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps, everyone in and around the industry knew just how talented he was. In an industry like ours where lengthy projects take a backseat to incessant singles, nothing prepared Nigerians for another Fireboy album less than a year later. His sophomore album, Apollo, landed an 8.3 rating out of 10 on American online music publication, Pitchfork. This feat began to cement his status as a leader of the new school, but there’s more. Although we didn’t get the third album from Fireboy in 2021, his hit single, Peru, affirmed his afrobeats intelligence.

This year, Fireboy is expected to release his third studio album. And if his collaboration with Ed Sheeran on Peru Remix is anything to go by, we might have the biggest Nigerian act of 2022 on our hands in Fireboy DML.

GodsFavour Chidozie ‘Fave’

During the lockdown in 2020, a shy 20-year-old artist took to social media to post her renditions of different songs –some of them were original songs, others were mashups. An independent artist at the time, Fave immediately caught people’s attention online as she drew comparisons with Tems, another alté (alternative music) artist to have come through the ranks.

In 2021, Fave released a numberone hit song, Baby Riddim, two months after she featured on two of the best tracks on Olamide’s R&B album, UY Scuti.

From recording tracks for SoundCloud to owning the biggest Nigerian song late last year, there’s no stopping the moving train that is Fave in 2022.

Anthony Chukwuebuka Victor ‘Victony’

Another SoundCloud-to-number-one-hit-song story features rapper-turned-R&B sensation, Victony.

Victony, who was a victim of a ghastly car crash, began to garner attention on a much larger scale when celebrities such as Davido, Laycon, Ric Hassani, and many others tweeted a prayer for him, trending the

PAGE 8

appetite for art got bigger.

Creatives know the competition that they have to face for our ever-dwindling attention span, so they keep pushing the envelope and bettering their art.

In a year where we saw tremendous success in the entertainment industry with our songs travelling far and wide, our films racking streams on Netflix, and the return of runway

fashion, one would not be mistaken to think that 2021 was the biggest ever year for Nigerian creatives. Topping the achievements of last year will require an enormous amount of creativity and consistency, but then, we are Nigerians—we never run out of creative juice.

To look forward, the DOWNTOWN team played the role of a crystal ball as we predict some of the names that are primed to take their respective industries by storm in 2022.

MOVIE Gabriel Afolayan

Gabriel Afolayan is an actor in every sense of the word. Since his breakout role as ‘Dosu’ in Tade Ogidan’s Madam Dearest in 2005, he has played almost every role imaginable. He is regarded by many as one of the best actors in Nollywood, appearing in both English and Yoruba films.

In 2021, he appeared in two films, Lugard and Besties.

The actor also took on Netflix in 2021. His films, Hustle and Mama’s Diamond, both of which he played major characters, received praises from fans and critics. Both movies trended on social media and streaming sites.

His appearance on Netflix’s Christmas postcard alongside some of Nollywood’s best and brightest augurs well for him in 2022.

Folarin Falana ‘Falz’ and Toke Makinwa

One of the more interesting productions that provided a lot of entertainment in the pandemic was Therapy, the Toke Makinwa and Falz - powered comedy returned for a second season in late 2021 and will continue into 2022. It is easy to see

#prayforvictony and setting up a GoFundMe account for his surgical procedure.

Also known as ‘The Outlaw King’ by fans from his early beginning, Victony’s lyricism —which is a result of his mixtape days as a rap artist— is what sets him clear of his peers. After carrying the chorus and hook in Mayorkun’s nationwide hit song, Holy Father, the attention on the 20-yearold has tripled. He’s now expected to feature on tracks with the biggest names in the industry such as Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy. It is looking like 2022 is Victony’s year.

why the show is so popular. The energy and chemistry between the two leads are genuine and as such their antics are genuinely hilarious. 2022 will only lead to more popularity for the show and for Falz and Toke.

Daniel Etim-Effiong

Daniel Etim-Effiong had a busy 2021. Appearing in four productions that were released last year (Including Superstar) and two more already coming in 2022, this actor’s career seems primed to take off. His roles in the films Collision and Still Falling was intriguing and we can’t wait to see more from him in the coming year.

FASHION FIA Factory

When owners, Funke(F), Ijeoma(I) and Abisose(A), launched the FIA brand in June 2015, it was to service the trendy, eccentric, and classy woman. It is more than just fashion – the trio is targeting edgy and luxurious women – like celebrity writers who are being celebrated for their words.

As well as beautiful actors heading to a movie premiere. FIA sees itself as the new generation of African designers, and some might agree.

By the end of 2021, they had put in the work. A lot has led to the moment that has seen the brand showcase at fashion weeks and weekends in Africa’s largest city, Lagos. With the likes of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Monalisa Chinda, Angela

THEWILL DOWNTOWN

Simmons, Betty Irabor, Dakore EgbusonAkande checking their list of patrons, this new year will see statements being made through bold designs that mirror a confident female folk that the world is yearning for. A brand policy that continues the push of a strong women folk of character is what is going to be repeated in FIA’s messaging and designs this year.

VOL 2 NO.01 • NEW YEAR EDITION, 2022

MEDIA TV - Zainab Balogun-Nwachukwu

Zainab Balogun-Nwachukwu has worked as a presenter on EbonyLife TV for a while now. In recent times, she has taken up production roles on other projects such as The Spot and Jumia TV’s “The J-ist”. 2022 should see her profile increase and with it, more rightfully deserved mainstream recognition.

ATAFO by Ohimai Atafo

Several years at it cultivating custommade corporate designs, mainly suits and traditional dresses have made multiskilled tailor, Ohimai Atafo the desired fixer for C-suite leaders.

Interestingly, this isn’t a complete view of all the audiences he is currently serving. Looking back at the wedding boom in Nigeria that began early in the last decade, before long pandemics and quarantined megacities that halted social gatherings, Atafo, his fashion label had been serving hearts and he keeps on catering to the diverse audiences that are careful to make symbols out of every moment in their lives.

2022 would picture Atafo in an adaptation to a new way the world is working.

With a young middle-class population expanding the more, there will be avenues for brands like this to excite with their creative minds as moderate fashion slowly infects the globe.

ETHNIK by Tunde Owolabi

There is a renaissance going on with Tunde Owolabi’s Ethnik brand.

Ethnik is about promoting culture and giving back to the community. Aso Oke, a traditional, weaved linen native to sub-Saharan Africa Yorùbás is being reintroduced to the younger generation as footwear. It is thrilling to see such reimagining of culture to speak to the young communities currently being inspired to make a change in their world and countries.

Ethnik, although just six years into existence, has already started a bond between fashionistas caught in its web of attraction. One that is spurned by colourful bags and sneakers made from traditional, redesigned aso oke. Early into 2022, the conversation would still be about consuming less – and hand-woven linen – instead of carbon-intensivefarming-derived leather shoes, could be part of ways of cutting consumption.

The Ethnik brand started by Owolabi can unite in that environment, which in turn could solve some of the issues connected with the problem of climate change facing the planet.

COVER who started her career at the age of 14 as a kid presenter for Tales Africa, Kiddies Island, and Generation Next, now works for Cool FM, alongside other gigs with Inside Radio. 17 years later, no one can argue that Kemi Smallz hasn’t paid her dues and 2022 looks super bright for her brand.

Online Media - Mary Edoro

Fashion blogger, and influencer, Mary Edoro, is the head of content at BellaNaija Style. Her passion for fashion and the impact that African designers can have in the industry has led her far and wide, making her one of the key figures in the growth of the fashion industry through online media.

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Kemi Smallz is a Nigerian on-air personality and voiceover artist.

With many citations, recognitions, and overall breathtaking performances across various media platforms, Kemi Smallz has had her fair share of clout in the media industry.

The 5-foot on-air darling,

%($87<b Tito Ibeleme

Also known as T. A’la Mode Beauty has about 77.8k followers on Instagram. A makeup artist, beauty educator, and YouTuber entrepreneur who teaches makeup and sells makeup products. From bridal make-up to photoshoots, T. A’la Mode has a style of blending loud and soft colours together which makes her make-up look very catchy to the eyes. Having worked with the likes of Sharon Ooja, Adesua Etomi, Omawunmi, Kaffy Ekpata, and others, T. A’la Mode is one to watch out for in 2022.

Anita Adetoye

Popularly known as Anita Brows, Anita Adetoye is a make-up artist and influencer. With over 212k followers on Instagram, Anita Brows certainly knows her soft nude, and bronze glow look.

When it comes to make-up, she has been on the scene for quite a while and we can see that from her catalogue of clients, like Toke Makinwa, Niniola, Idia Aisien, and many more. Her near perfect make-up style is why we can’t seem to get enough of her. She is one to look out for when it comes to clean beats.

Olajide David

Also known as Jide of St.Ola on Instagram, Olajide david is a local and international male make-up artist and beauty enthusiast with a fresh and classy connotation. Jide is a make-up artist who has certainly done well for himself so far, with each look depicting elegance and sophistication. With 211k followers on instagram, he has worked with celebrity clients likes Funke Akindele, Dija, Maria Chike Benjamin, Nengi, Asa, and a host of other gorgeous women.

Print (Magazines) - Anslem Jon

Heading a magazine that focuses on celebrating excelling Nigerian youth is one thing, but the care and time put into each edition alongside running an online version of the paper is what makes this man special. Tush has been talking to the best young talents in our space for years and 2022 might just be their year to shine.

PODCAST FK Abudu and Jollz (I Said What I Said)

The one-time DOWNTOWN cover personalities lead the industry in terms of listeners; they host the most-streamed podcast in the country. According to the duo, the podcast is the African millennial experience - they didn’t lie.

They have gained a reputation as two of the most likeable podcasters in Nigeria, a testament to the sold-out live shows they had in Lagos and Abuja, and the Owambe party they hosted last month. Their stock is bound to keep rising.

Temisan Emmanuel ‘Taymesan’ (Tea With Tay)

Media presenter, actor, and MC, Temisan Emmanuel, widely known as Taymesan launched his podcast, Tea With Tay, in mid-October -less than three months after its launch, his episode featuring Davido -The 30 Billion Gang- topped the Apple podcast chart in Nigeria.

The light-hearted podcast gained popularity thanks to its star power as it features high-profile celebrities such as Davido, Toke Makinwa, Uti Nwachukwu, Nancy Isime, Timini, Chigul, and so on.

If Taymesan keeps pulling these names, there’s no questioning what height he can take his podcast to this year.

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VOL 2 NO.01 • NEW YEAR EDITION, 2022

COVER Gbemi Olateru Olagbegi and Tolu 2QLUXb 2II$LU

The OffAir Show was birthed by popular demand from fans that had listened to Gbemi and Toolz for almost a decade during their daily handover sessions on The Beat 99.9FM. The transition happened to be a seamless one as they are now in the fourth season and can only grow stronger.

OffAir Show is an informal podcast with the most amusing and hard-hitting chatter about trending topics in entertainment and everything inbetween.

SKITMAKERS Chukwuemeka Emmanuel Ejekwu (Mr Funny) A relatively new face in the Nigerian Instagram comedy space, Mr Funny rose to the top of the food chain this year. His character, Sabinus, is a frustrated Nigerian youth who in a bid to better his living situation, becomes susceptible to the ills of society.

His “Something Hooge” skit was one of the biggest last year. We wouldn’t bet against him to keep being funny in 2022.

Abiri-Roland Tobi Folagade (Folagade Banks) Usually, when comics online do improv, they alter their appearance — in costume or filter— to look like the character they try to portray; not Folagade Banks though.

The self-acclaimed ‘cruise master’ plays an average Yoruba mother as he dishes our daily contents that are as refreshing as they are nostalgic.

His understanding of this role and steady rise to prominence in the skit industry make him one to watch out for in 2022.

Olaitan Ademola (Demo UK) Tiktok sensation, Demo UK, had an amazing year creating relatable funny content across all social media platforms. Demo’s brand of comedy is one that resonates with young bachelors in Nigeria as they tell stories of his struggle with life and women.

Demo who also creates content for Kraks TV has since seen his stock go up and it is only normal to project him as a leading skitmaker in 2022.

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THEWILL DOWNTOWN

PHOTOGRAPHY

YOUTUBERS

Ebuka Mordi

Eniola ‘Korty’ Olanrewaju

Mordi’s approach to capturing stills offers a unique insight into how he sees the world. His in-depth use of Lightroom shows his technique and understanding for striking the right hue balancce. This difference is what makes him one to watch in 2022.

At age 22, Korty is one of the youngest YouTubers in Nigeria.

Her candid demeanour and attention to detail are some of the features that set her apart from the rest.

Having worked with Empawa Africa as a video content creator, she has also worked as a model, graphic artist, and filmmaker, making up a pretty impressive CV—and it can only get bigger.

Tomike Adeoye

Bobo Iso

Bobo Iso, a young Nigerian photographer who, from the looks of 2021, does not appear to be slowing down any time soon.

Leaving a career in Mathematics, Iso has gone on to work with some of the country’s biggest stars in showbiz and is on an upward trajectory that shows no signs of waning.

Joel Adu

The Nigerian photographer is slowly but surely making a name for himself in the commercial photography space.

His work entails documentary-style profiling and a purpose to connect people through images. He has worked with several Nigerian brands to tell the stories of their products.

Ayobami Ogungbe

The artist is rapidly rising in the realm of photography with his unique concepts. His accurate depictions of subjects through meticulously natural poses make him one to keep an eye on in 2022.

DIGITAL ART Prince Osinachi (Digital Artist)

Prince Jacon “Osinachi” Igwe is a Nigerian visual artist and the brains behind SocialStack. He is the Chief Compliance Officer at SocialStack, a social token protocol built on Ethereum and Celo. The former librarian whose NFT was the first African NFT to be sold at a digital auction will be an artist to keep on your radar.

In her vlogs, award-winning media personality, Tomike Adeoye matches her freespirited personality with her TV persona. Her wedding videos which will make you desire romantic love and affection are unique in that she’s not afraid to share her personal life with her viewers, who she refers to as her “family members.”

From her wedding vlogs to her pregnancy vlogs, and even her childbirth videos, her YouTube channel inspires young and talented women as they go through the everyday challenges of life.

Due to the nature of her content and overall aura, Tomike promises to have a good year.

Dimma Umeh

Dimma Umeh blogs about fashion, make-up, and skincare.

She has been blogging since 2011 and has been featured by local and international brands such as Essence magazine. She is also an E! People’s Choice Awards nominee.

In addition to her practical approach to content creation and her consistency over the years, she has become one of the most popular female YouTubers in Nigeria. With more than 300 videos on her channel, she has over 24 million views, and 400k subscribers.

Dimma’s stock is bound to go up this year.

Iyobosa Rehoboth “Prodigeezy” (Video Director and Digital Artist) The new year seems to be looking up for this curious and cautious creative. With the digital age already here, Rehoboth intends to take full advantage of it. The digital artist is one of the few Nigerians who have fully immersed themselves in what 2022 has to offer on the technology front. Like most tech geeks, he has been biding his time, learning and adapting to the technological advancements in the world and this year we can’t wait to see what exciting projects he has to offer to the world.

Anthony Azekwoh (Digital Artist)

2022 might finally be the year for digital artists like Anthony to prevail. With the recent adoption of NFTs worldwide and the sale of his NFT, Charged Particles, the new year holds a lot of promise for young artists.

THEWILL DOWNTOWN

VOL 2 NO.01 • NEW YEAR EDITION, 2022

BY BOLUWATIFE ADESINA Scan this with your camera to access the playlist (Apple Music)

Movie Review w:

THE MOST ANTICIPATED FILMS OF 2022

Playlist for the week

H

appy new year! Somehow we made it through the absolute gauntlet that was 2021. While last year wasn’t quite as terrible as 2020 (shudder) it still proved to be a rough year for the worldwide film industry. Compared to pre-pandemic box office records, there are still ways to go to get back to where we were. However, it’s been a slow but gradual recovery. If the new Spiderman: No Way Home’s blockbuster opening weekend is anything to go by, marquee movies still put butts in cinema seats. For today’s article, I thought I whet your appetites by looking forward to the most anticipated films of the year, in no particular order. Here we go!

Top Gun: Maverick (May 27) Tom Cruise’s need for speed has led him back to the role of Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, 36 years after he originally took to the skies LQ ōVbTop Gun. No longer the young hotshot, he’s training the next generation of the Navy’s top pilots. Notably, the new cohort includes his dearly departed friend Goose’s son, played by Miles Teller. b'HDWK RQ WKH 1LOH (Feb. 11) Hercule Poirot is back in the long (long) awaited sequel WR ōVbMurder on the Orient Express. This time around, Agatha Christie’s fictional Belgian detective, played by the film’s director Kenneth Branagh, is tasked with solving a murder while on vacation in Egypt. Work-life balance? He doesn’t know the meaning of it.

Bullet Train (Jul. 15) Brad Pitt goes full-on action star in this adaptation of Kotaro Isaka’s 2021 satirical novel of the same name in which he plays an assassin who finds himself on a fast-moving train with four other highly motivated hit men and women. The problem is: they’ve all been given the same mission—and only one of them will make it to their destination alive.

The Batman (Mar. 4) There’s something in the way Robert Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne flies off the handle that lets viewers know director Matt Reeves might be willing to take his version of the Dark Knight to even darker places than his predecessors. Case in point: Paul Dano’s The RiddleU 7KHbThere Will %H %ORRGbactor’s take on the classic Batman villain feels more Zodiac killer than Jim Carrey’s merry prankster.

Scan this with your camera to access the playlist (Spotify)

Kygo_ Whitney Houston - Higher Love

The Weeknd_ Ariana Grande - Save Your Tears (with Ariana Grande) (Remix)

Zarion Uti - Tale Bana

CKay - Love Nwantiti (ah ah ah)

Journey - Don’t Stop Believin’

Queen - Don’t Stop Me Now Remastered 2011

Bruno Mars_ Anderson .Paak_ Silk Sonic - Smokin Out The Window

Camila Cabello_ Young Thug Havana (feat. Young Thug)

Dua Lipa - Levitating

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Nov. 11) Chadwick Boseman is gone, but his boundary-breaking performance as Black Panther will never be forgotten. His co-star Angela Bassett promises that the Ryan Coogler-directed sequel will honour its late star — fans expect nothing less.

The 355 -DQ b Veteran X-Men writer and director Simon Kinberg helms this spy thriller about a group of international agents (played by a star-studded A-list ensemble) who band together to recover a top-secret weapon from a dangerous mercenary. This film was delayed one year from its original January 2021 release.

Netflix Watch of the Week:

Love Actually BØRNS - We Don’t Care

Scream (Jan. 14)

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Pt. 1) (Oct. 7) The multiverse is open and Miles Morales is ready to explore the worlds of the other Spider-men, women, and one pig he met in the awe-inspiring Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

Scary movie fans might enjoy the soft reboot of the 1996 original, which has Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) imparting her final girl wisdom to a group of teens with their own curious connections to the original Woodsboro murders.

The Flash (Nov. 4) Michael Keaton is back as Batman in this much anticipated DC superhero standalone that has Barry Allen (Ezra Miller) pinballing through space and time in order to prevent his mother’s murder.

Is there anything else that needs to be said about Love Actually? The Richard Curtis film has joined the elite pantheon of Christmas modern classics since its release in 2003, and along with the likes RIbDie HardbDQGbElf,bLV HVVHQWLDO YLHZLQJ every year.

For those unfamiliar with the plot, Love Actually follows ten separate stories of love which interlink and connect over one memorable Christmas, including a budding romance between the Prime Minister and one of his staff, a best man’s

unrequited love for his friend’s wife, and a washed-out rock and roll star competing for Christmas number one among others.

It famously has one of the best British cast lists of all time, full of acting legends and then up-and-comers including Hugh Grant, Martine McCutcheon, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Bill Nighy, and more. Phew!

The movie shows love in all its forms, including several stories that don’t have a happy ending - we’re still heartbroken for Emma Thompson’s character - but manages to end on such an uplifting and feel-good note that it’s no wonder it has become a cultural phenomenon. It’s still referenced and parodied to this GD\ ZLWKbTed LassobDPRQJ WKH most recent to pay homage to the famous card scene.

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VOL 2 NO.01 • NEW YEAR EDITION, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN

BEAUTY

BEAUTY TRENDS TO EXPECT IN

2

021 saw the rise of bold make-up trends.

There was the emphasis on bold, geometric eyes, as individuals sought to draw attention to the only area visible above facial masks. These made lots of make-up artists embrace contracting eyeshadow looks, creative eye makeup and we saw how most coloured liners, especially brightly coloured ones, could streamline the eyes. Subsequently, we also saw a movement towards healthy and glowing skin, as wellness became the new luxury last year. Many of us became more focused on improving our skin health and adopted a more intuitive approach to product usage based on our skin types and needs which have now prompted skincare brands to prioritize quality over quantity. We are most likely expecting to see lots of innovations in the beauty world for 2022.

Here are some beauty trends that will be carried into the new year.

2022

BY SOPHIA EDISI

Orchidee Imperiale Cream Next Generation GUERLAIN Long Wear Lipstick MAC

CymBeart

%2/' &2/2856b I don’t see the bold and colourful look going out of style anytime soon. 2022 will most likely keep this trend going with a few looks that are all about being your most extra, colourful, and glittery self. Having spent so much time at home, many people would still want to spot very loud make-up especially with bold lipsticks.

Maria Chike Benjamin

)5(6+ 6,/.< 6.,1b I believe everyone will be pushing for rich formulas and be more conscious of boundaries or what we expect from textures and quality of skincare products for silky skin. People are leaning towards better skincare routines to showcase a healthy complexion. This should give access to more skincare activities than ever before for the New Year.

The Lotion SENSAI ULTIMATE

PAGE 12

Red Lipstick ARMANI BEAUTY

THEWILL DOWNTOWN

VOL 2 NO.01 • NEW YEAR EDITION, 2022

BEAUTY BEAUTY TECHNOLOGY Get ready to see more high-tech beauty tools hit the market. This year, beauty brands will continue to adapt to fancy new technology, revolutionising everything from personalised skincare to Artificial Intelligence-powered products and virtual experiences which might just become the new norm, changing the e way way we shop shop and and experience experience beauty. th beauty.

Plumping Lip Topper NYX

*/266< /,33,(6b Glossy lips are going to be huge this year as big brands are introducing newly improved luxurious lippies which are gradually moving us away from the norm of dry and matte lipsticks. These glosses aren’t limited to just the lips either; lip glosses are also used on the eyelids and cheek to create a soft blush moment. Perhaps sticking to glossy eyes and lips is the way to go for 2022.

Microdermabrasion Kit LUMAE SKIN Droplet Micro Infuser

Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer collection FENTY BEAUTY

True Match Nude Plumping Tinted Serum L’OREAL

Saskay

7+( &/($1 7+( &/($1 1$785$/ /22.b about t’s all abo IIt’s u minimalistic makeup and styling thrilled o II’m sso ’m thril l to probably see the rebranded makeup’ no make ‘‘no up makeup look for the minimalist who wants to embrace their unique facial ho jjust ust w w a and eatures a ffeatures n step away from the homogenous Instagram make-up trend look like ““Instagram” contouring, ontouring cut-creasing or glitters. c Double Wear SPF and Concealer ESTEE LAUDER

Clear Glass Lip Gloss VICTORIA BECKHAM BEAUTY

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VOL 2 NO.01 • NEW YEAR EDITION, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN

LIVING

Ugh!

Not Another New Year’s

Resolution

BY KEHINDÉ FAGBULE

W

hether you are trying to get healthy, boost productivity at work, or learn a new skill, the new year is likely motivating you to take action. Or perhaps it is reminding you of the all-too-familiar annual cycle of setting — and failing at — your resolutions. Turns out, we’re pretty bad at sticking to our new year goals, with most of us abandoning our efforts to change before we’ve even taken down the holiday decorations.

According to research, there is more to successful goal setting than motivation.

Here are some insights on how you can make this year’s list more achievable.

Be Purposeful Do not make goals arbitrarily. If you do not want your determination to wane, set goals that align with your values and have personal significance — whether it’s January 1 or not.

Many people commit the error of making unrealistic goals. The biggest mistake is setting a goal on something you feel you should be doing instead of something you want to be doing.

By simply making a goal, you already feel like you have accomplished something. But it’s easier to do something you want to do that is a high priority, than to make something you don’t want to do a high priority. Part of successful goal setting is determining who you want to be, rather than what you want to do. Start by identifying your values.

Know Your Environment Construct and follow your own regimen, but don’t rely on willpower alone to change your behaviour over the long term. Environment has a lot to do with the success (or failure) of your goals.

Oftentimes, people will have great ideas about how they can change their life, and all of that excitement might help the person achieve their goals at first.

However, as time goes on people return to their dayto-day routines, which is usually counterproductive to their resolutions.

If you plan to achieve summer body this year but you hang around heavy junk eaters, it’s only a matter of time before you reconcile your relationship with those M&M’s.

Think Small and Reward Yourself Sometimes, the overwhelming stigma of a New Year’s Resolution carries with it the pressure of change. Try working toward small wins before tackling larger goals.

Want to be healthier? Instead of making a goal to hit the gym for an hour every day, start by taking walks three times a week. Once you master this, move toward a bigger goal. Your confidence in establishing a new identity will reinforce your behaviour and provide motivation for further change.

People fail to give themselves credit for the great things they’ve already accomplished. After achieving something worthwhile, the initial enthusiasm wanes, and people fail to acknowledge those accomplishments with regularity. When one takes the time to pause, reflect, and celebrate how far they’ve come that arms them with the confidence necessary to persevere.

Let’s say you plan to learn how to code this year, keep a bottle of wine beside you for when you write your first ‘Hello world!’ Make yourself feel good about every little milestone.

Strategise Well Not much can happen without a plan.

After establishing the right kind of goals based on your values, develop strategies to help you accomplish them.

Without specific strategies, it’s unlikely that change will occur because we are all creatures of habit. However, once you create a game plan, you will be more likely to shift your behaviour.

It’s like heading to a football match as a coach and not having a laid-out tactic.

Ted Lasso would be proud of you this year.

PAGE 14

Timing is synonymous with planning and we all know the amount of significance the latter phenomenon holds.”

IMAGE:CATHERINE JONES/ISTOCK VIA GETTY IMAGES

Measure Your Progress

Without a figurative (or literal) yardstick to measure your results, your actions will have little meaning.

You can measure goals in many different ways. Some people do best with a simple list, others like to create a calendar with daily tasks to stay on track.

Keeping a conscientious track of your goals also allows you to analyze your values, strategies, and behaviours, and to make adjustments as necessary.

Reviewing goals allows you to determine if your strategy is working or if it needs to change. Goal review should also be accompanied by a values review. You should see if the goals you previously set still fit with how you view your life.

There’s a reason why we all went through a grading system in school. It is to measure our growth. I’m sure we are all straight-A students. (Wink).

Get the Right Tools for the Job Whether you are a traditional pen-andpaper person or glued to your smartphone, there are a multitude of free and low-cost resources available to track your goals. Try creating a vision board or use a traditional goal-setting worksheet. As you measure your results, whether on-screen or on-paper, keep friends and family involved. Accountability increases your chance of success.

Create a support network of people related to goal setting. It is important to have a community of people that you share your goals with. This allows for motivation but also allows for you to learn from other people. The support network can be online or in person.

Try to set up a WhatsApp group with your friends, even the ones you can’t stand to work towards a goal. What’s the worst that can happen?

One thing is certain: once it’s midnight and the “Happy New Year” congratulatory messages start rolling in, you are left to face your New Year’s goals head-on. Follow in these footsteps and make your 2022 resolutions a reality.

From all of us at DOWNTOWN: Happy New Year!

T HEW THEWILL W ILL D DOWNTOWN OW W N TO O WN N

VOL V OL 2 NO.01 • NEW YEAR EDITION, 2022

LIVING

Garden Green

4 Colour Trends For 2022

Our natural world has often been our refuge during the pandemic, which is reflected by this soft shade. The lockdown provided us with a great opportunity to connect with our gardens and fall back in love with nature.

Whether artfully illustrated or real, this shade complements plants and can promote a sense of well-being in the home. Because of its calming nature, choose artwork that speaks to your well-being when coupled with this shade.

Essential Home

Warm Sky Blue W E Effortlessly bright and cheerful, this fresh sshade can breathe new life into any room.

IIt is uplifting, calming, and familiar, but a also suitable for creating an inviting, restful h haven. There may be a shift toward colour in tthe future with less emphasis on neutrals, so tthis shade is likely to be the new grey.

BY TILEWA KAZEEM

A

s the fireworks fill the sky with thousands of bright, sparkling colours and our homes come alive with the arrival of a brand new year, first, you need to unlearn -or at least reevaluate- what 2021 interior colour trends are and get acquainted with the new colours for the year 2022.

Many summer hues had a prominent place in interior design last year. Particularly, warm shades such as white, grey, and beige were some of the popular colours explored throughout the year as they developed, blossomed, and faded.

Though calming neutral hues are still present, an array of other colours have stepped up to the plate, and that’s what we’ll be discussing today. Here, you’ll discover what they are, as well as how you could incorporate them into your home.

Marbleised Blue Lamp

Sunny Yellow (Babouche)

Armchair ARACELI

Square Velvet Cotton Cushion

As the year 2022 approaches, we will appreciate vibrant colours that herald a return to normal. Its timidly bright and uncomplicated vibe is perfect for embracing this trend - bold, but not overbearing.

Although it has a bold yellow tint, it’s not overly bright or overpowering, which makes it perfect for a larger room, whose cheerfulness will be amplified by its thickness.

When it comes to the colour wheel, this buttery yellow would pair well with a pale blue or soft pink.

Kayseri Light Blue Hand-Tufted Rug COTTAGE AND BUNGALOW

Off-White With its grounded, unassuming tone, this shade matches easily with nearly any other colour. The shade of white in this room is muted, timeless, and comfortingly familiar. It is the perfect backdrop for large-scale artwork or statement rugs, as well as for displaying dramatic, eye-catching objects.

Large Fiber Textile Art

Modern Art on Off-White

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VOL 2 NO.01 • NEW YEAR EDITION, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN

SÓRÓSOKE FASHION DOWNTOWN

SIMSS THE DJ

BY KEHINDÉ FAGBULE

H

ow did you get into DJing?

I’ve always been involved in music even before I ever decided to become a DJ. I was a church girl, and a member of the choir. So when I got into the university of Lagos - because I became a DJ in my first year - I was looking for something else that I could do that was musicrelated and be totally badass at, as well as enjoy. I decided to try production first but it didn’t work out because the studio I was going to learn at was very far and I didn’t have money at the time, so I stopped going to the studio. and decided to download Virtual DJ then tried to learn on my own. I found a DJ that helped me along that journey and taught me how to properly DJ. I started DJing basically for my general love of music.

Parties are about the most common ways that we relax.

Especially here in Nigeria, with our reputation as the party HQ of the world, nobody does it quite like us. And because a party can’t happen without music, the professional DJ industry has become very saturated over the years. This week’s DOWNTOWN Sorosoke features one of the leading DJs in Lagos’ party scenes.

Simi Pwol, popularly known as ‘Simss the DJ’, shares her story of how she started and has positioned herself as a force to reckon with so far in her career.

PAGE 16

You’ve been performing at the Block Party series for a while. What was the first ever one like? (Did you find the crowd intimidating?)

Definitely. My first Block Party gig was in February 2019, it was the International Women’s Day edition and I was nervous because it was such a big deal for me.

I was really excited at the same time. I prepared a set, and I don’t always prepare sets, but because it was a block party, I had to prepare a set specially for them. I just concentrated on the music, and not the crowd. I tried not to be nervous and it went well. After that set, when I got off the stage, I had never gotten that kind of attention before. They were people right at the stairs waiting for me saying, “oh my God, your set was so amazing.” And there was this other DJ, DJ Jenny Switch, who is another really amazing female DJ. She walked up to me and told me that she heard what I did and she even picked out a part in my set. She said she really liked it and I should keep doing what I’m doing. So the first one was amazing.

There are long spells when there are no events. Have you experienced that? :KDW GR \RX GR GXULQJ WKRVH WLPHV"b 2020 was a very off year for me and a lot of DJs. So during that period when there were no events, I was at home with my family. I was just doing the regular day-to-day activities, chores, and all of that. So there’s not much about that, that’s what I did [laughs].

Oftentimes we see DJs go ahead to have their own songs featuring musicians.

Do you plan on going that route?

Yes, definitely, I do. I even have a list of artists that I would like to feature on my tracks. Right now what I’ve been doing is dropping my own remixes and mashups but yeah, definitely, I plan on featuring artists. And hopefully, releasing my first single this year. The artists I would like to feature in the future are LADIPOE, Slim Azanti, Crayon, Tems, and possibly Tiwa Savage because I’m a big fan of her music.

Do you have a personal hype person you work with? If not, who’s the favourite to have on your set?

I do have a hypeman that I work with. He’s on my team, he’s also my manager. His name is Dafe ‘The Party Boy of Lagos.’ But like whenever I don’t go to gigs with him or whenever the shows we’re going to already have their hypemen, my favourite hypemen to have on my set are Tolu Daniels and Livewire. I’ve been working with them since 2019 when I started doing the Block Party and they are just amazing, their energy is crazy.

What’s an average day in the life of Simss?

Honestly, I wouldn’t even say I have an average day because every week, month, or even day differs. But typically, I just run a lot of errands that have to do with work. When I get up in the morning, I just shower and I head out, run my errands. And when I’m done with that, when I get back home, I just watch Netflix. Netflix is my therapy for all of the stress that Lagos brings up to me daily. And that answers the question of how I relax.

I watch a lot of Netflix. It has helped me through the tough times in my life.