VOL 2 NO. 27 • JULY 3 - JULY 9, 2022
Workout For Seniors THE PERFECT SPORTS FOR BOOMERS
Wardrobe Staples For Him This Summer
Really;
VOL 2 NO. 27 • JULY 3 - JULY 9, 2022
EDITOR’S NOTE
THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com
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CONTENTS
COVER
Photo: Kola Oshalusi @insignamedia Makeup: Zaron
REALLY; WHAT IS A SUMMER BODY?
etting the perfect body isn’t always just about inches. Some people might have an G hourglass or athletic figure and are unhealthy, while others are shaped differently but are very healthy.
As a teenager, even though I had a chopping board for a stomach, my friends and I were talking about bodies one day, and one of them said, “Onah, you have the body of a growing child.” I was 19 at the time. While my friends boasted of 24inch-waistlines with hips of 36 inches, I was at 27 inches and 34 inches, respectively. So as far as this particular friend was concerned, my body wasn’t proportional as “the ideal difference between the waistline and hips should be 10inches.” So she said to me. Although it didn’t bother me, who’s to say what the perfect body is? Now in my mid-forties, I have recently gone on a health and weight loss journey after I went from a UK size 8 to a size 16 in just a few months. Apart from the frustration of having to wear my 75-year-old mother’s clothes because I could no longer fit into mine, I also hated what I looked like and knew I had to do something about it. It’s different for some people; they seem happy being full-figured and do not necessarily care that they are on the “plus-size side of life.” While that may be the impression they give concerning their size and weight, I can’t help but wonder if they are healthy and truly happy. I know I wasn’t. And it doesn’t stop at the exterior; so much could be going on internally, including a fatty liver or weak heart. And so this week, we talk about the summer body. Should we aim to have the perfect body just for the summer, or should it be a lifestyle? And there’s also the fundamental question of what really is the perfect body? To each their own, they say, but I say, whatever size you choose, fat or skinny, your ultimate goal should be to remain healthy.
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in 16
ODDBOD & THE CITY EAT, DRINK & BE MERRY
REVIEW ELVIS
04-05 FASHION MEN'S STYLE GUIDE:SUMMER EDITION
14-15
TRAVEL PLACES TO VISIT THIS SUMMER
Cover Image Photographed By Emmanuel Oyeleke @emmanueloyeleke For @eopstudios Model: Jazzy @jazzyogaga
06
BET SPECIAL CULTURE SYNC AT THE 22ND BET AWARDS
07
DOWNTOWN CONFIDENTIAL A GOLDEN SHOWER IS NOT WHAT YOU THINK
11
HEALTH SPORTS FOR SENIORS
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.
12-13 BEAUTY INTENTIONALLY CARING FOR YOUR DRY SKIN
WHAT YOU SAID INSTAGRAM @idia.aisien.fp
Until next week, enjoy your read.
Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa +2349088352246
AUSTYN OGANNAH
PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Editor: Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa Editor-at-Large: Chalya Shagaya Writers: Kehindé Fagbule, Tilewa Kazeem Interns: Sophia Edisi, Abdul Auwal Graphics/Layout: Canice Nnamdi Ngumah Digital Media: Oladimeji Balogun Guest Art Director: Sunny Hughes ‘ SunZA’ www.thewilldowntown.com thewilldowntown thewilldowntown
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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 communications at Clean Technology Hub.
Uzo Orimalade @uzosfoodlabs
- Contributing Writer Uzo Orimalade has a background in Law and Business and spent over a decade working in Corporate America and Nigeria in the management consulting and investment banking sectors. She switched careers to pursue her passion for baking, cooking and home entertaining. She is content creator and host of shows in various media platforms. She has been recognised by local and international media outlets including a feature on CNN’s African Voices.
Queen!!!!
@i_am_ogechi_esther
Spot the Queen!!!!
@therealabiodun_
VOL 2 NO. 27 • JULY 3 - JULY 9, 2022
THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com
ODUN OGUNBIYI
ODDBOD & THE CITY
Eat, Drink,
&BE MERRY of this information? A Nigerian, an Iranian and an Indian plan to meet for dinner. Will it shock you that the Nigerian arrived on time to secure the reservation? 30 minutes later, a flustered Iranian came flying past the picture window and barrelling into the venue, all apologies and air kisses. I shall not tell you what time madam Inger pitched up but suffice to say this will not be the last they will be hearing about this for a long time to come. Perhaps forever. Back to the restaurant, located on Dean Street in the bottom half of a Grade II listed Georgian townhouse, the space is contemporary with naked brick walls and light wood furniture and floors. The original restaurant opened in 2012 in Amsterdam and remains a family business. Fons de Visscher was a fishmonger for 27 years before expanding his passion to create a space where the seafood was the epitome of freshness and paired with just the right wine to elevate the experience.
I
was of two minds about writing this review—I had concluded that I really needed to stop harking on about food adventures and find something “other” to write about. So I would like to state for the record that I had every intention of not waxing lyrical about the incredible seafood experience I had a couple of weeks ago. Then fate had other plans. I was minding my business on Instagram, browsing one of my favourite accounts, @thenedlondon (one of those private members clubs that I am obsessed with because the vibe is immaculate and the food heaven-sent). Anyways, I am faffing around in their stories when I come across the series “Tips from the Concierge”, packed full of all the information you may need to live your best life while in the metropolis. There it was:
THE SEAFOOD BAR Soho A modern seafood restaurant created by fishmonger Fons de Visscher. After four successful locations in the Netherlands, they have recently opened their first London venue. Well, if The Ned saw fit to tell you to add this place to your to-eat list, who am I to deprive you
For those of us who are bothered (let’s face it, we all should be), the ingredients are all sustainably sourced with an emphasis on shellfish, as shellfish have been proven to have a minimal impact on nature. The food is fair trade, organic, and additive-free. The menu is extensive, and we found it difficult to choose from mussels, crustaceans, oysters, and various fish prepared any way you can imagine. To avoid missing out on anything (my only real mission was to try an oyster), we ordered to share the Mixed Grill – shrimp skewer, squid, slip sole, king prawn, salmon and seabass fillet. AND we had fruit de Mer—a cold dish combining crustaceans and shellfish, namely, mussels, brown shrimp, whelks, clams, crevettes, seafood salad, Devon brown crab and oysters.
Each dish on the menu comes with a wine pairing, but we challenged our lovely waiter to make other suggestions and throw down an impromptu wine tasting. Golnaz likes it sweet; I like it dry, so we had to meet somewhere in the middle. If you are a seafood lover, you must give this restaurant a go. The food was excellent, the service was top-notch and fun, and the sourdough bread I was mopping everything up with has featured twice in random dreams I have had since!
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VOL 2 NO. 27 • JULY 3 - JULY 9, 2022
THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com
FASHION SUNGLASSES
SHORTS Ever heard of something called jorts? If you haven’t, you have been schooled. It is a pair of denim shorts just on or slightly below the knees; they are making a big comeback this summer. Oh, don’t forget to get a pair of swim shorts too!
It’s definitely not summer if you are not making a statement with a pair of sunglasses. Go on, splurge a little, or opt for a cheaper roadside pair; wherever you buy them, we promise your secret is safe with us.
Round Frame Sunglasses BALMAIN
SHOES Green Pool Shorts BATHER
Whatever you do, get yourself a pair of loafers and a pair of mules. One for a formal look and the other for more casual outings. We will assume you know which one works for each occasion from the look of them both. And while you are at it, get a pair of sneakers too. Uti Nwachukwu
Denim Shorts GRAMICCI
Men’s Style Guide: SUMMER Edition
Hendra Suede Loafers JOHN LOBB
I
t’s officially summer in the fashion calendar, and although we are approaching the thick of rains in Nigeria, we can’t help but do a little something for our readers across the globe. While dressing up for the summer can be very tricky, what you must have at the back of your mind is that depending on the occasion; It isn’t all that difficult to get the perfect summer look. Knowing what fabric to wear, what shoes to spot, and just how high your shorts should ride, the perfect summer look can be spot on. Let’s start.
CROSSBODY BAG Because why not?
Daniel Etim Effiong
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Strap Bag BALLY
B Y: O N A H NWACHUKWU
Black Mules OUR LEGACY
Jemimah & Emmanuel Oyeleke
THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com
VOL 2 NO. 27 • JULY 3 - JULY 9, 2022
FASHION
SHIRT
JEWELLERY How do you say it’s summer without saying it’s summer? Easy. It’s in the shirt. Nothing screams summer louder than a simple and colourful shortsleeve shirt. Try a camp shirt in whatever colour or style, and as we say in Nigeria, leave the rest to God.
Jewellery, whether bracelets or anklets (we have spotted a few of our male team members rocking these recently), are a plus this summer. We must admit that seeing a man in an anklet does say sexy in the most understated way.
Curb Chain Bracelet JOHN HARDY
HATS Don’t forget to protect yourself from the sun with hats. Whether you choose face caps or buckets hats is up to you. And oh, let’s not forget sunscreen too.
Zigzag Print Short-sleeved Shirt MISSONI
Denola Grey
PANTS Wide leg pants are a must-have this summer; don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Noble Igwe
Akin Faminu
Uns een SUP Sunsc ERG reen OOP
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VOL 2 NO. 27 • JULY 3 - JULY 9, 2022
THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com
BET SPECIAL
CULTURE SYNC AT THE 22ND
BET Awards
BY KEHINDÉ FAGBULE
T
he integration of Afrobeats in global pop culture gets another boost at the 2022 BET awards. The BET Awards celebrate music, film, television and sports performances that have made the most significant impact on culture over the past year, and the 22nd annual ceremony was no exception. Held last Sunday night at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles and hosted by Taraji P. Henson, the award show saw highprofile figures across every sector of the entertainment industry receive trophies for their work. This year’s edition saw an increase in the number of recognised Nigerians—nominations, award wins and performances. Two of afrobeats leading voices, Wizkid and Tems, won the “Best Collaboration” category alongside Justin Bieber for their last summer’s global hit song, Essence, making them the first African acts to win a major category at the BET Awards. They were up against powerful names such as Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Future, etc. Tems also carted home this year’s “Best International Act,” beating fellow Nigerian R&B singer/songwriter, Fireboy DML to the big prize. She made history as the first Nigerian and African female musician to win the coveted category. On the performance front, Fireboy DML, thrilled theMarsai crowd with his renditions, while yet Martin another of our own producer/singer, Pheelz, took to the stage to perform his recently viral hit song, Finesse, at the pre-show. However, as far as style goes, here are how some of your favourite celebrities showed up on the night.
Marsai Martin
Keke Palmer
Janelle Monae Taraj P.
Tems
Ari Lennox
Diddy
Jussie Smollett
Billy Porter Lizzo
Halle Bailey Letoya Luckett
PAGE 6 Fireboy DML
VOL 2 NO. 27 • JULY 3 - JULY 9, 2022
THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com
DOWNTOWN CONFIDENTIAL
A Golden Shower IS NOT WHAT YOU THINK BY TILEWA KAZEEM
F
or those who are oblivious of what this means, I'm sure you're juggling with the idea that perhaps, as a one-time-only deal, this is an advertisement for an all-golden shower. Don't get me wrong, that would be nice–if that was the case–but sadly, it's not. A little disclaimer; If you're squeamish, look away now. Urolagnia (also urophilia and, more colloquially, a golden shower or 'water sports') associates sexual excitement with the sight or thought of urine or urination, according to Wikipedia. It might seem strange to some that this kink or paraphilia exists, but you'd be surprised that it has been tied to some notable names. In 2017, A document published by Buzzfeed claimed that Donald Trump allegedly employed "several prostitutes to perform a 'golden showers' (urination) show in front of him." Although he denounced the documents as "fake news" and "a total political witch hunt", the pee-sized stain it caused was never cleaned off the internet. R. Kelly's infamous "pee tape" that allegedly captured the urinating on an underage female still hasn't been forgotten till today. There's literally a docuseries titled Surviving R. Kelly to that effect. Discovering how widespread this fetish is still unknown to many, an Australian survey showed that 4% of men were into watersports, and a survey from the UK had similar stats for women, with around 3.5% of women reportedly fantasising about urinating on (or being urinated on) by a partner. One may assume that given all the available options for satisfying your partner(s), peeing on them wouldn't be one of them. So what's the reason behind this kink? Well, ejaculation can be a visible sign of orgasm for certain people who enjoy the visual element of pee, which they describe as "a spurt of liquid flowing out of the object of desire. The power dynamic is another factor. It's a form of role-playing to submit to someone more dominant or
the opposite. The taboo nature of urine may also factor in some people's interest in it. Pee is typically considered to be something personal or filthy. Someone could be attracted to the ominous nature of breaking a taboo. When you experience something that originated in the body of the person you're with, you could feel extraordinarily close to them. It takes vulnerability to let your partner urinate in front of you and allow yourself to urinate on yourself. There is something generally about sharing bodily fluids that can be hot for certain people. Watersports can increase trust and closeness. Some folks with this kink get giddy just thinking about the liquid itself. It's a dream come true to have their lover's urine kept in a glass jar in the basement so they can examine it. However, given Nigeria's strict culture, religion, and the pervasive stench of urine, the idea it exists can be foreign, but nothing is new under the sun– especially in Nigeria. Before you run around peeing on people willy-nilly, you'd need a few tips for executing this kink accurately, one of which is consent. Granted, you need this for any sexual act, but if my sexual escapade is going to involve me getting peed on, I'd like to know. Wouldn't you? That said, you'd need to
be forward about your plan, especially if it involves body waste coming in contact with my skin. Having a safe word is another way to prepare and protect each other from the hot reality of urine. You can agree to it, and along the line, you discover you're no longer interested; a safe word would be your safest option. Another thing to pay attention to is where the peeing is happening. On the floor, in bed or in the shower. Wherever you choose, just stick with it. "Just stick with it; I thought you said you liked things kinky?" was also what Yeni said after, once again, I had flirted my way into a sexual conundrum. Yeni, however, was as calm as a cucumber. This was her thing. She loved the warmth of urine on her chocolate skin. She didn't mind who it was; as long she's feeling your "vibe" and digs you, the glass shoe fits. You'll be her 'watersports' partner till things get too salty, and then she moves on to the next person. In today's case, I was the next person. Yeni and I started talking on one of those "swipe left to like apps", and our conversations were steamy from the word go, which was very much my speed. Although I know that there is safety in numbers, I went alone to see her at her flat for obvious reasons. She was different and considerably chunkier in person than the pictures on her account, which I later realised were old photos and not a catfish situation. Shortly after small talk and a glass of water, we were on each other like steel on magnets. And then, not too long after, we found ourselves in the shower of her master bedroom, the supposed venue of our heated romance, lovemaking and soon, waterworks. To paint a vivid picture of the situation, think of that water scene in Flashdance, except with no chair and not as much water. We were butt naked in the bathroom; the shower was not pouring on us furiously but enough to keep us both wet. She laid on one of those rubber mats with her legs sprawled, and I was between her legs, toiling away. A few minutes in, she folded her legs around my buttcheeks, pulled me in and kept me there. She then said, "I'm coming; I'm gonna squirt." Now I'm excited. I'd never made anyone squirt, so I turned things up a notch. I'm leaning toward her, both palms to the ground, and I'm pounding faster just to see the geyser– of whatever a squirt is– shoot out from her insides. And after a few seconds, it sprays everywhere, and I should have been elated that I finally struck oil, but I wasn't. Why? Because it wasn't what I expected. "Did you just squirt pee all over me?" I said deadpanned. Looking sheepishly, she responded, "Just stick with it; I thought you said you liked things kinky?" It's been years since we last spoke; I sure hope she's doing okay.
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THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com
VOL 2 NO. NO. 27 • JULY 3 - JULY 9, 2022
COVER
overtake countless decades of unconscious and conscious knowledge. Cultural factors might play a significant role in why some people are more likely to become obese during their lifetime. With more people being born into the internet era, it gradually becomes a conflict between the two realities, with both struggling to make their mark. It is this way with many things, and weight gain or “summer body” is no different. Take a small build kid that grew up eating only the essentials but was constantly teased for being skinny. This kid eventually becomes an adult and has the required resources provided. It wouldn’t be unheard of for this adult to try and make up for the time lost, which might make them overweight. Those who snap out of that unhealthy trance before it’s too late understand why the “summer body” is necessary regardless of the season. But this is just one probable scenario from the countless that exist due to culture’s influence. For some, the lack thereof could explain the reason for being overweight and craving a summer body. But for other cultures, too many options might be to blame. In the United States, people eat a lot of fast food because it is cheaper, ignoring the fact that it is high in calories, fats, and refined sugars, all of which contribute to becoming obese in the long term. Fresh fruit and vegetables which are more beneficial to overall weight control are more expensive and therefore not eaten as often. People living in more economically developed societies tend to be more obese than in rural parts of the country because they are more likely to eat prepared, packaged, and processed foods. But things are slowly changing with the infiltration of foreign fast-food chains and weird eating habits in several developing countries. NBCI estimated that there were 21 million and 12 million overweight and obese persons in the Nigerian population aged 15 years or more in 2020. That was the same year COVID imprisoned the entire human population in their homes, giving obese individuals less mobility and more food. In 2021 WHO said 90% of global COVID-19 deaths occurred in countries with a 50% obese population. However, before the pandemic, obesity was already an epidemic in Nigeria. It’s been famously said that Lagos is a city that never rests which is true, but it is also why most Nigerians have unhealthy eating habits. Mr A, who missed breakfast but had gala (sausage roll) in traffic on his way to work, will come back to eat a dinner of egusi(melon) soup and ogbono (dika) soup with garri at 10 pm. At that time, the digestive system ought to rest but can’t. This vicious cycle builds up fat in the body, leading to overweight and obesity.
Really;
Is The Summer Body For Fitness or Appearance?
BY K E H I N D É FAGBULE, TILEWA KAZEEM & SOPHIA EDISI
A
t some point as kids, we must have come across a relative or an individual that claimed to have carried us when we were kids. Their little playful pinch of the cheek is usually followed by a comment about your appearance. It’s either you’re orobo, which means fat or lepa, which connotes slim and slender. Right from a young age, you are being made aware that if you don’t have flesh on your bones, you aren’t being fed properly, or you need to update your diet. It has always been pretty black and white when it came to weight, even in
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progressive today. Although today’s discussion is about whether or not you need a “summer body”, we must first explore the possibility of culture putting us at a disadvantage to begin with. In most African social communities and cultural upbringings, being overweight is considered a sign of affluence and good health. These cultural beliefs lived and passed down through generations via word of mouth or documents that have served thousands of generations up until this very one. Like something emerging and meeting an era, the internet emerging long after culture would need aeons to fully catch up and
The appearance of being overweight or obese by beauty and society standards is unhealthy. It poses a major risk for non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, stroke and cancer. Physically they usually aren’t always the most energetic, which equates to wanting to get in the best physical shape possible and feel confident in their skin. At some point, it shifts from wanting to be fit and remaining fit to the bonus of appeal— the chiselled abs and toned frame that gets people gawking. It’s a two-for-one deal. Exercising consistently and building healthier eating habits while working through the pain makes the appearance more rewarding when you can fit into your old clothes again, or you no longer detest yourself in the mirror. A case where both things don’t lead to the same type of satisfaction is with the medical condition, anorexia. This emotional disorder is characterised by an obsessive desire to lose weight by refusing to eat. On the one hand, someone diagnosed with anorexia would have the appearance but logically not the fitness because the body is overridden and forced to vomit. Asides from that, because this condition is tied to an emotion, they don’t feel the satisfaction of appearance. They are constantly plagued with the thought of weight gain.
VOL 2 NO. NO. 27 • JULY 3 - JULY 9, 2022
THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com In Nigeria, the fitness industry is getting bigger by everything that anyone could want to go on the day. Although the need to maintain a healthy on this journey until I realised that food is living has always been prevalent, social media medicine. It’s not just there to satisfy our (especially Instagram) has recently amplified it. palette, it’s there as medicine for us. It was Today, different online blogs and communities when I got the consciousness of what that cater to support people looking to embark on thing meant that my life changed. I began their fitness and health journeys. One of the to understand that you have so many things players in this space is film and TV producer, that are food-like products but aren’t actually Akin Akinkugbe. food. We eat them because Known as ‘The they taste good, as they “I have a huge problem with Healthy Billionaire’ contain sugar, which Lizzo because I have the stripe on Instagram, Akin gives us a high, so we are has built a community continually returning for so I can talk. I was 125KG, so around healthy living it. There’s no food in it. nobody can come to me and tell centred around So I began that (watching me that I’m BODY-SHAMING. dieting and regular what I eat), and I used to I’m not saying that you should fitness routines that weigh 125kg, but now I bring somebody down without don’t require a gym weigh 75kg, and I’ve never knowing a little bit of their membership. When put it back on. I started the topic of what the this journey in 2013; I just background story or whatever right body should know what it takes to stay it is that has kept them that look like was put to this way.” weight.” him, he provided an interesting insight. For Akin, it goes beyond He said, “Basically, what the camera sees; I grew up very active. My mother, without being it also matters what the x-ray can interpret. health-conscious, was health-conscious in the Most people only pay attention to what the sense that we never really abused food, and it body looks like on the outside and can’t be was normally clean. But over the years, when I bothered by its composition. Akin dived into got into adulthood, I began to abuse everything that mindset. He said, “it’s very holistic. When from alcohol to food to everything in general, so I you get into the wellness consciousness, what became extremely overweight. Being overweight you see on the outside is a reflection of what itself is a disease because it compromises so many is inside, in most cases. There’s a syndrome things. So I was diabetic, had a fatty liver, and sleep called TOFI—Thin Outside Fat Inside. Many apnea, which is extremely dangerous; I could be people say to me, “coach, I don’t have a talking to you right now and fall asleep. I also had weight problem; it’s just my stomach,” and snoring problems, which is one of the symptoms I’m like, ‘that is the issue. You are fat; you just of sleep apnea. I would wake myself up from my think you’re not overweight because of what snoring, that’s how bad it was. I’d sleep tired and society’s overweight looks like visually. If you wake up tired. So I just got sick and tired of being go back to photos of people in the 70s and sick and tired. Your body hints at you when you’re 80s, it was scarce to see overweight people. going off the rails, but people don’t pay attention. Even the people you thought were overweight I always say man doesn’t die, man kills himself. when you were younger, when you look back 95 per cent of the diseases we have today are now, are not overweight in today’s world. Now external. There’s nothing genetic about it, no bad we eat too much rubbish, and we don’t move. luck, or it just happens, it is a lie. In fact, less than Look at the uproar on okada; when I was 3 per cent of the terminal diseases we have today younger, people walked to the bus stops or to are genetic or have happened to you by chance. get a cab. But now, nobody walks, and with all Everything boils down to lifestyle. So I took the the junk food, we have a diabetes problem, route of exercising and dieting. I’ve been through 8-in-10 people have high blood pressure, and 8-in-10 women have fibroids; it’s crazy. There’s something we are not doing right. We are not doing everything that we used to do; we frown on herbs now; the sugar addiction is real.”
Akin Akinkugbe (@thehealthybillionaire)
COVER
of their background story or whatever it is that has kept them that weight. Because some people are genuinely struggling to shed weight, maybe birth control pills, hormonal issues, or medication, those people are the minority. Anybody who is overweight and going over and beyond to tell you that they love their body like that is a lie. I’ve been there. Look at someone like Eniola Badmus for instance; she was very aggressive before on how everyone should leave her weight alone. As soon as she begins to lose some weight with whatever it is that she’s done, she’s flaunting it. If she was happy with her previous weight, it wouldn’t be something that she’ll be happy to show off now. Your body will tell you that you’re doing something right when you lose weight. You will sleep better, your health markers are up, your brain is clearer, and you think better. One plus one is two, that is why it is called overweight; you are over the required weight, it is not healthy. However, is the ‘summer body’ a healthy body? Are you overtly doing things to have a certain body type? Take, for example, the ideal to get a six-pack. Everybody has a six-pack; you just have a layer of fat covering it. Weight ages you; it makes you old. So somebody could be 60, and their internal health age is already about 75, so they start having issues that 75-yearolds are having at 60. The aesthetics He continued, “People always cling onto are good. I always encourage people, things like “I’m big-boned”, that’s a myth; it whenever they decide, to put in the work doesn’t exist. You’re fat to have a great body, regardless or obese; there’s nobody of their motive. If it gets you that is big-boned. The that healthy status, I’m all for it. “FOOD is medicine, natural frame of man However, when people do crash so we should not is lean. You have taller courses, have these summer only make sure that people, but there’s no bodies and take good pictures, we are eating the logic to the fact that their it is not sustainable because right medicine, but bones are bigger.” all of a sudden, by October or we should also not November, the pot belly is back. OVERDOSE on the The concept of a So the summer body should medicine.” summer body has be your body all year long. You gathered a lot of don’t want to look great in the momentum aided by pop culture references. summer and be overweight in the winter.” As aforementioned, this has often blown conversations around it out of proportion. For To achieve the perfect body type and trolls, body-shaming has been weaponised as make sure that one stays on the healthy a malicious attempt at hurting the self-esteem side of the spectrum, people have turned of plus-sized people. Akin talked about the to science in the form of Body Mass sensitivity of the body topic. He said, “We Index. Akin, however, thinks it is not a have become so overtly sensitive and fickle, completely reliable marker. He said, “I and it is why things are going wrong. I have a don’t think BMI is an accurate judge of huge problem with Lizzo because I have the what a healthy weight is. Don’t get me stripe so I can talk. I was 125kg, so nobody wrong, the markers are not completely can come to me and tell me that I’m bodywrong; it is a good guide to go. Eat real shaming. I’m not saying that you should bring food and exercise; that is the baseline. somebody down without knowing a little bit
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COVER
Photo by Timothy Onuchukwu Model: Jennifer Enujiugha @jenyzest
THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com
it is considered a health risk factor. This is science, not me talking. There are more people in the world dying from overeating than starvation. You might be malnourished, but you won’t die. Fat itself is a means of storage, an insulin source from how toxic we are. The more toxic we are, the more our body holds onto fat. That is why people do a two to three-day detox and say they’ve lost weight. They have lost weight because the body would get rid of fat it does not need. It insulates you from how toxic you are. Right now, many people have a body fat percentage of 20 to 40 per cent, and if you don’t eat for a whole month, that 40 per cent fat will feed you. Your body will go into that fat storage. What happens is nobody gets to that stage of going into the storage. The problem is we are eating way too much. Food is medicine, so we should not only make sure that we are eating the right medicine, but we should also not overdose on the medicine.”
The Daily Body-shaming Struggle
Our body, religious people will tell you, is Now to further go into that, do not eat God’s temple. Whether you are from the frequently, move your body, remove same school of thought or not, there is no hydrogenated oils from your body, denying how extremely personal our body drink pure water (not referring to what is—it is the vessel that houses our being. Nigerians know And so we try to look after as pure water it as much as we can. The “...When people do CRASH but clean water), conversations on how an COURSES, have these and avoid added ideal body should look summer bodies and take good are not exactly personal, sugars. There’s pictures, it is not sustainable though. something called because all of a sudden, by insulin resistance, which many people Last year, we expanded October or November, the have; it makes you on the body conversations POT BELLY is back. So the gain weight and summer body should be your to discuss the surgical is the foundation trend—it body all year long. You don’t enhancement of other diseases. is that big of a deal. The want to look great in the Most times, we journey to a healthy summer and be overweight in body image is usually an eat because we the winter.” have been told and arduous one. Every day, programmed to eat we are either trying to at certain times. So have the ‘perfect’ body most people eat because it is time to eat, as seen in the gospel, according to Kim not because they need to eat. You’ll hear Kardashian or working even harder to people say, “it’s already 3 o’clock; I have to keep it when we eventually have it. From eat; I have not eaten since morning.” You spending hours in the gym to investing have not eaten since morning because you heavily in different methods such as slim are not hungry. If you’re hungry, you’ll eat. tea, dieting or waist trainers, everyone is It takes being intentional to identify real working towards the same goal: to have hunger pangs, know when to eat, and not ‘that’ summer body. succumb to eating just because it’s time to eat.” Summer body is a cultural phenomenon that has been around for a while. It connotes what our body should look Another concept that comes up when like when summer comes around, and the body its well-being is metabolism. people are on the beach as scantily Metabolism, by definition, is the clad as possible. For people who are chemical reactions in the body’s cells aware, it means a type of body that that change food into energy. It is a is ‘Instagrammable.’ There are different common misconception that thin people inspirations for either weight loss or gain, have a high metabolism rate, whereas, and so even when you go to a plastic in plus-sized people, it is slow. Akin surgeon for a cosmetic procedure, they commented, “When people say you have will ask you what your motivation is. a good metabolism and can eat whatever Although staying fit and healthy is a key you want, it is wrong. Nobody can eat motivation for those who go through the whatever they want; you will pay for it. gym route, most people also do it for the However, metabolism is broken in people, sculptural advantages that come with it— and what slows it down is the unhealthy despite the pain and difficulty. things we do. Nobody is born with a slow metabolism. It is slow because you In the increasingly digital society that have altered it to be faulty, and the only we live in now, people have taken the way to repair it is to get on the health definition of ‘picture-perfect’ to a different wagon. You don’t have to go to the gym; level. The pressure on people, especially going to the gym can be a luxury. There women, to do what it takes to look like the were no gyms when we were created. next beauty influencer on social media is You were designed to move; walk every absolutely overwhelming. day. If you walk less than an hour a day,
PAGE 10
American pop singer, Lizzo, has been at the forefront of the body inclusivity message since her emergence into the spotlight. Since her career took off, she has been relentlessly pushing the ‘self-love’ agenda, often to some people’s disdain. The Rumours singer, who spends a healthy amount of time in the gym as she needs to keep fit to perform as vigorously as she does, has built her whole brand aesthetics on self-love and acceptance. Despite that, she still gets body-shamed for being ‘fat.’ Body-shaming is one of the most common forms of bullying; it feels like nobody has the know-how to clamp down on it. And this also applies to people on the opposing end of the spectrum who have been abused for being too thin. There is no denying the happiness that comes with setting a body size goal and achieving it. Our body is ours, so we do everything in our immediate power to mould it to what we truly desire—which, let’s face it, is closer to the summer body than anything else. This is why the fitness industry exists, to help us achieve
Photograph By Emmanuel Oyeleke @emmanueloyeleke For @eopstudios Model: Jazzy @jazzyogaga our body and health goals. For some, however, the journey to weight loss or gain is not an easy one. And because these people don’t have as much representation in the media (look around), they go through life feeling ‘less than.’
Should There Even Be A Summer Body?
Bikinis and speedos or shorts are the unofficial summer uniforms because it is when people get to show some skin. The typical “summer body” is characterised by hard biceps, tight abs, moisturised skin, and toned female frames at the beach. But as time passed and how progressive the world today has become, body shaming is something anyone risks getting cancelled over. Society is now sensitive toward body types like fat and has had it replaced with plus-size or chunky. Changes like this have made more people feel more confident in their bodies, giving a new definition to “summer body.” Thick, petite or chunky now feel normal for not choosing the skinny and can feel safer expressing themselves in crowds or tight spaces. So this poses the question: What is a summer body, what happens to the body after summer and should such a term cease to exist? After all, summer is what you make of it, no?
VOL 2 NO. 27 • JULY 3 - JULY 9, 2022
THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com
HEALTH
Sports For SENIORS
5
Physical Activities Boomers Can Still Enjoy
BY KEHINDÉ FAGBULE
2.Cycling
Going for a bike ride is a great way of keeping in shape while reducing the risk of chronic illnesses and being a great form of transport to the shops. Riding a bike burns more calories than going for a jog and has less impact on your joints, especially the knees. This is because cycling puts less pressure on them. Cycling works the whole body and can help you lose weight while keeping all your joints moving in a fun, outdoor workout. Cycling for at least 150 minutes weekly will improve your cardiovascular fitness.
3.Golf
Serita and Bishop Thomas Dexter Jakes
S
ports are one of many human activities that are ageconscious. For most professional sports, an athlete’s peak years are between their teenage years and early 30s. As we grow older, our muscles begin to weaken, so the list of physical activities we can do is largely truncated. However, boomers still have to keep fit. Elderly care in Nigeria doesn’t exactly get a lot of attention. According to research, Nigeria has no functional national policy on the care and welfare of older persons—the age group, people aged 65 years old and above, make up at least three per cent of the country’s population. Here are five sporting activities or exercise routines you can enrol in to keep physically and mentally fit and introduce you to a brand new passion that enables you to live your best life.
1.Walking
Going for a walk is a great exercise to help build your bone health – and it’s good for your heart, too. Why not rally a group of friends and start moving together? You’ll get your exercise in for the day – and a bit of socialising too! Aim for 30 minutes a day at least four times per week. A treadmill is an excellent alternative if you’re worried about injuring yourself on uneven or cracked walking pathways.
Golf is a great exercise to get your joints moving due to the movements involved when swinging the club in a wide range of motion. While it’s not a highenergy sport, all that swinging and walking around the course really does add up. Playing golf also increases your blood circulation, which encourages your heart to work more efficiently and helps build its muscles. Additionally, the social aspect and concentration involved in the game also help improve your focus and overall mental wellbeing. HRM Oba Elegushi Golfing
4.Swimming
Exercising in the water reduces the impact on your joints, making it a popular choice for people suffering from arthritis. And so, swimming is an excellent option for boomers as it can help improve your cardiovascular health and muscle strength and strengthen your ligaments and tendons. If you want to increase the intensity, wear flippers or use leg weights while swimming, as they add more resistance and make your muscles work harder.
5.Yoga
Yoga not only improves your physical health but also helps reduce stress due to the relaxing meditating properties of the various movements and stretches. It’s a low-impact exercise that can improve your core balance, strength, respiratory flow and muscle flexibility, especially when doing it multiple times a week.
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VOL 2 NO. 27 • JULY 3 - JULY 9, 2022
THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com
BEAUTY
Intentionally Caring ForYour
DRY SKIN BY SOPHIA EDISI
C
ombating dry skin can be challenging. Believe it or not, your genes can define the texture and appearance of your skin, and since it’s the largest organ, it’s essential to give it your undivided attention. Also, in considering the weather, it is likely your skin can go through a change from being hydrated, healthy and plum to becoming dry, chapped and itchy. Nourish, hydrate and renew your skin with a range of luxury body care products that heals, protects and pampers your skin according to your area of need. The intention is to enable everyone to feel good about themselves and flaunt their skin, to embrace and be confident in their unique shade and skin type. Following these skin care tips can help prevent and treat dry skin, so you can wear it with pride all day, every day.
OINTMENT OR CREAM
Lotions can be more irritating and less effective than ointments and creams for dry skin. When selecting a cream or ointment, look for one that contains an oil such as olive oil or jojoba oil, or one with shea butter to provide a smooth and silky healthy skin.
OPT FOR A BEAUTY STEAMER To help hydrate dry skin, try a
facial steamer. It helps open your pores and cleanse your skin. You could also take shorter showers with lukewarm water. You should avoid hot water baths, as it breaks down the lipid barriers in the skin, decreasing moisture. Face steaming provides skin cells with water, helping loosen any dirt buildup, which can help improve the appearance of your skin. Using steam to hydrate skin, followed by a good moisturiser or serum, can plump skin and help it hold onto its water.
Healing Ointment CERAVE
Aira Ionic Facial Steamer VANITY PLANET Makeda In Shower Body Melt 54THRONES
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VOL 2 NO. 27 • JULY 3 - JULY 9, 2022
THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com
BEAUTY
EXFOLIATING SCRUBS
HYDRATING MASKS
Intense Hydrating Mask EPARA SKINCARE The hydrating face mask is gentle yet effective in drawing in moisture to your skin, leaving it feeling super soft whilst treating it the way it’s supposed to. The facemask is bound to give you the required glow, which helps you stay radiant without leaving your skin dry.
Use a light exfoliating scrub to get rid of dead skin cells’ top layer and expose healthier-looking skin. Make sure not to over-exfoliate. A mild facial or body scrub will keep your skin as fresh as possible and smooth away imperfections revealing healthy, youthful skin.
Black + Brown Exfoliating Cleanser HANAHANA BEAUTY
HYDRATING LIP Say no to ashy cracked lips and shop for a healing lip balm & lip scrubs that work best and feel good on your lips. Not only will your natural lips look nice, but lippies would also sit well on them. So get some lip balm to keep your lips smooth all day.
HUMIDIFIER
Bringing moisture back into your home’s air helps prevent dehydrated skin. Humid air helps keep skin moisturised; add a spritz of any of your favourite essential oils to keep you happy by lifting your mood.
Wireless Portable Humidifier HEY DEWY
Cookies N Dreams Lip Exfoliator E.L.F
Matcha Mint Lip Butter BUTTERLOVESKIN
HYDRATING HAND LOTION/GLOVES BALM Our hands are typically the most exposed body part and the first to experience dry skin. And since you can’t always cover it up, having a hydrating hand cream in your purse can help give tired, dry, chapped hands a healthy glow after every wash. You can’t afford to leave your home without one.
Microbial Humidifier GET.CANOPY
HYDRATING FACE SERUM Remember that how you moisturise your body is different from how you moisturise your face. After showering or washing your face, apply a heavier, water-based moisturiser as it traps moisture into your skin. Alternatively, you could also use a lightweight moisturising facial oil or mist.
Regenerating Hydrating Serum SKIN BY ZARON
Anti-Aging Retinol Hand Mask EARTH THERAPEUTIC
Norwegian Formula Hand Cream NEUTROGENA
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VOL 2 NO. 27 • JULY 3 - JULY 9, 2022
THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com
TRAVEL
PLACES TO VISIT THIS BY ABDUL AUWAL
C
atch flights, not feelings. There's something special about spending time outside on a hot summer vacation, whether as a couple or as a family. We can't help but want to have a good time with our loved ones at locations where memories can be made. Explore the amazing outdoors throughout the world. If you're seeking the newest and hottest spots to visit this summer, look no further; here's a list of locations that may make your summer dreams come true.
Cappadocia
It is well worth visiting and a fantastic place to spend your holiday because of its recognizable fairy chimneys, interesting rock formations, and fantastic hot air ballooning opportunities.
Paros
Barcelona
We're on the Greek islands, and the entire town is painted white to contrast with the calm waters and blue-sky reflections, creating a feast for the eyes and a view worth seeing.
MER SUM 2 07 2 03
One of the most stunning Roman archaeological sites can be found in this Spanish city, which also boasts a thriving nightlife.
MER SUM 2 07 2 03
Jamaica
Jamaica is a pretty great spot to spend your summer because it is the origin of reggae, blue mountain coffee, red stripe beer, Jamaican rum, gorgeous beaches, fantastic cuisine, and stunning waterfalls.
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MER SUM 2 07 2 03
SU 03 MME 07 R 22
VOL 2 NO. 27 • JULY 3 - JULY 9, 2022
THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com
TRAVEL MER SUM 2 07 2 03
Mauritius
Tropical is a term used to characterize Mauritius. With its bright sky, lagoons, beaches, and a cool climate that allows you to keep cool during the summer, it's an excellent destination.
Prague
It is absolutely worthwhile to see this place, which has the sense of something from a fantasy film. MER SUM 2 07 2 03
REM MUS 22 7 0 3 0
Bali
This is a must-see for legendary nightlife experiences coupled with culture, night entertainment, and
Cape Town
A stunning city in South Africa with good weather, enthralling culture, reasonable costs, and a great place to spend a holiday.
SUM MER 03 07 22
MER SUM 2 07 2 03
Tahiti The gorgeous island has rough landscapes and dreamlike vistas. Stay in overwater cottages and enjoy the sunrise on black sand beaches. It is full of surprises, making it an excellent summer holiday destination.
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VOL 2 NO. 27 • JULY 3 - JULY 9, 2022
THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com
BY BOLUWATIFE ADESINA
Scan this with your camera to access the playlist (Apple Music)
Movie Review:
ELVIS eternity.” Hardly.
WATCH of the Week
The Man From Toronto
Parker, who was born Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk, was a former carnival barker who entered the U.S. from the Netherlands unlawfully and kept Elvis from touring overseas out of fear his own past would be uncovered. Hanks, in a fat suit, facial padding and an accent Parker tried to pass off as Southern, gives his all to a role that the script sadly fails to develop. There is some effort made to show how Elvis culturally appropriated the Black roots music that inspired him growing up in Memphis, Tennessee. And Luhrmann pushes hard -- his default mode -- for contemporary relevance by mixing Elvis hits with rap, hip-hop, country and dance beats.
“If he doesn’t get an Oscar for this, I will eat my own foot.”
Elvis ignited a cultural rebellion fired by his hip-swivelling gyrations to the devil’s music — so labelled by the fundamentalist Christians at that time — that inflamed teen girls and a lot of boys. “The way you sing is God-given,” Mama Presley, Helen Thomson, says in one scene, “so there can’t be nothin’ wrong with it.” Moral watchdogs disagreed.
That’s not me talking. Those words come from Elvis Presley’s daughter Lisa Marie Presley in reference to Austin Butler, the electrifying new star who plays her father in Parker quickly tries to diffuse public Baz Luhrmann’s bejewelled battering ram of outrage by having Elvis cut his hair, join a biopic, Elvis, out in theatres this week. the Army and appear in family — friendly movies. It’s not until a 1968 TV comeback Butler also has Presley’s ex-wife Priscilla special that a leather — clad Elvis in his corner. If you suspect all this family rebels against the Colonel by bringing support means Luhrmann’s impressionistic, his political passion, incited by the pop-cultural opera isn’t telling the whole assassinations of Robert Kennedy and truth and nothing but about the rock legend, Martin Luther King Jr., into his music (“If I who died at 42 in 1977 but still reigns as Can Dream”). King -- you’d be right. Even at two hours and 39 minutes, Elvis never seems to probe deep enough into the heart of one of the greatest performers of the 20th century. But Luhrmann, the visual virtuoso of Romeo+Juliet, Moulin Rouge and The Great Gatsby, never misses a chance to wow us with sights and sounds that would have appealed to Elvis’ own flamboyant sense of showmanship. Butler, 30, who started out on the periphery of Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, seizes the role of his career in Elvis and rides it to glory. Nothing puts Butler in the shade, not even the glittering brilliance of the costumes and production design by Catherine Martin, Luhrmann’s wife. He does his own singing as the young Elvis, with his voice later blended with that of the real Elvis.
The singer’s physical decline, worsened by pills he used to get through Vegas engagements arranged to pay Parker’s gambling debts, is conveyed to a devastating effect by Butler. What a shame, then, that the movie’s emphasis on Parker cheats us of the time Elvis spent with Priscilla (an underused Olivia DeJonge). “I never made a classic film I could be proud of,” Elvis tells her. Maybe so. With the exception of 1964’s vibrant Viva Las Vegas, Elvis’ 33 films are trifles. Butler, a real-deal actor, makes that untapped potential palpable as he catches Elvis in the exhilarating act of inventing himself before being caught in the trap of his own celebrity. Though Luhrmann’s Elvis looks unlikely to achieve classic status as a film -- it keeps tripping on its own excess and the intrusion of the Colonel - Butler does Elvis proud with the grit and grace of his performance. A star is born in Butler. Like Elvis, you can’t take your eyes off him.
Butler also shares the screen with another legend, Tom Hanks, who plays Colonel Tom Parker, the malevolent manager who devoted his life to controlling his most famous client and took half of his earnings in the process. “We are the same, you and I,” 6.5/10 Parker drawls at one point in the movie. “We are two odd, lonely children, reaching for
PAGE 16
Scan this with your camera to access the playlist (Spotify)
various body parts from him. In misused. Hart and Harrelson have exchange for the government excellent chemistry and are both gifted paying off his debts, Teddy agrees comic actors. They make the movie to continue to allow the bad guys bearable some of the time. to think he is the man from Toronto, even though he is shown to be The handler rounds up the man from woefully out of his depth when he Miami, the man from Moscow and the vomits after accidentally cutting a man from Tokyo to take care of business potential victim. in the third act. I hope this doesn’t mean we have a franchise headed our Meanwhile, he and the real man way. Teddy this idea. from Toronto develop an unlikely, mismatched friendship, and if you’ve seen The Hitman’s Bodyguard films, you know where all this is headed. In the role of the unseen handler, Ellen Barkin is arguably
PLAYLIST FOR THE WEEK
I
n the tradition of those popular, not-very-good, R-rated Hitman’s Bodyguard films comes the Kevin Hart-Woody Harrelson PG-13 rated Netflix vehicle The Man from Toronto. It was directed by Australian Patrick Hughes of those Hitman’s Bodyguard films (his previous feature was The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard). Are you detecting a trend? The Hitman’s Bodyguard films gave us Samuel L. Jackson and Ryan Reynolds as mismatched buddies leaving a bloody trail wherever they go. The Man from Toronto teams Hart and Harrelson, leaving an only slightly less bloody trail.
¿Téo_ - In Your Body
Burna Boy - Last Last
Asake - Peace Be Unto You (PBUY)
Cupidon_ KALLITECHNIS_ Ric Wilson - Wake Up, Get Down
Hart is Teddy, a ne’er-do-well gym employee trying unsuccessfully to make non-contact boxing a thing. His smart and attractive wife, Ruth (Jasmine Mathews), is the most understanding person in the world, given Teddy’s many shortcomings. Among these are an enormous credit card debt and a house in dire need of repairs. Teddy has, in fact, become a verb. When you “Teddy” something, you mess it up. Teddy still has a hotmail.com account. His password is “password.” When Teddy tries to give his wife a great birthday weekend, he is mistaken for the titular “Man from Toronto” by some bad guys and becomes embroiled in a government plot to capture a South American terrorist planning to destroy the Venezuelan embassy in Washington, D.C. As the poetry-quoting man from Toronto, Harrelson’s character is a killer for hire taking orders from an unseen handler and driving a black vintage Dodge Charger he has dubbed Debora. The plot of The Man from Toronto is the work of screenwriters Robbie Fox (Grand-Daddy Day Care) and Chris Bremner (Bad Boys for Life). We meet Teddy as he tries haplessly to film online promotions for non-contact boxing and other workout tips. We meet Harrelson’s character as he tells a tied-up victim the story of the death of his grandfather, whom he saw eaten alive by a grizzly as a child. He also tells the victim how he will remove
Drake - Massive
IDK - Zaza Tree
Gold Fir - Fatal Fantasies
Jadu Heart - I'm a Kid
Mura Masa_ Pa Salieu_ Snakehips_ EARTHGANG Skillibeng - Blessing Me (with Pa Salieu & Skillibeng) Run It Up - Gone Girl