THEWILL DOWNTOWN MAY 01, 2022 EDITION by THEWILL NEWSPAPER

THE GLOBAL REVOLUTION OF VOL 2 NO.18 • MAY 1 - MAY 7, 2022

GREEN

BEAUTY The Best of Movies & Television in 2022 (So Far)

Modestly

Chic

MUSLIM TRENDS THAT EVERYONE CAN TRY

Man Of God,

Is The Chosen One

VOL 2 NO.18 • MAY 1 - MAY 7, 2022

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THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

EDITOR’S NOTE

VOL 2 NO.18 • MAY 1 - MAY 7, 2022

CONTENTS

Mai Atafo

Onah Nwachukwu

Photo: Gift Eghator @graphedbyblue Onah Nwachukwu's Makeup: Zaron Mai Atafo's Wardrobe: ATAFO

COVER MAN OF GOD, AKAH NNANI IS THE CHOSEN ONE

"THERE IS A WAY THAT SEEMS RIGHT TO A MAN, BUT THE END THEREOF IS DEATH." - King Solomon, from the Bible.

n 2015 a play opened at Terra Culture, and a young man captivated the audience with his performance. With each scene that he appeared in, the emotion in his acting radiated from the stage to the audience. "Who is this guy?" I asked. A few weeks ago, the preview for a new movie popped up on my Instagram feed with a familiar face; it was the same person from the play I had seen seven years ago, Akah Nnani. I knew I had to watch the movie. And indeed, like my first encounter with his acting, I was glued from start to finish. While there's no denying Akah Nnani’s stellar performance as Samuel in Netflix, and BAP Productions' new hit, Man of God, Akah wasn't always proud of his acting. He found himself constantly criticizing his work, and only seeing flaws in his portrayal of the characters he played. But this movie was different. Finally, he had found the role he had been looking for; a character that truly challenged his acting. Even Nnani who is his critic was happy with this performance; this much he expressed during the interview. “…As I mentioned before, when I see my movies, I scrutinize them over and over again… I could only see flaws upon flaws… But when I saw this film, Man of God, I was very impressed. ...I was watching it at the premiere seated beside my wife, and I yelled, 'sh-t! I dey act mehn.’ " Get familiar with this actor's journey on pages 8-11 of this issue. Happy Eid to our Muslim brothers and sisters. To celebrate, we put together a few modest fashion trends that you, our dear readers, can try regardless of your religion. They say many women fake it when it comes to the bedroom. But is it only women who do? Our Downtown Confidential writer has a tale about this. Finally, Happy Workers Day! Don't forget to put your feet up; you know what they say: 'All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.' Until next week, enjoy your read.

Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa

REVIEW THE BEST OF MOVIES & TELEVISION IN 2022 (SO FAR)

04-05

FASHION MODESTLY CHIC : MUSLIM TRENDS THAT EVERYONE CAN TRY

Photography: Insigna Media @insignaonline Denim jacket: @the_3rdeye White Blazer and Orange Suit: @telvinnwafor Black Pants, Chealsea Boots and Converse: Akah Nnani's Wardrobe White shirt and Ankara Cravat: Stylist's Wardrobe Styling and Concept: Obiadi Christen @easternstylist Creative Direction: Kola Oshalusi @kolaoshalusi & Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa

THE SCENE DOWNTOWN EARTH WOMEN PREMIERE

DOWNTOWN CONFIDENTIAL SEXUAL SIMULATION (FAKING IT)

12-13 14-15 BEAUTY THE GLOBAL REVOLUTION OF GREEN BEAUTY

Ohimai Atafo - Guest Editor Ohimai Atafo is a Nigerian fashion tailor. He trained at the Leedsbased Savile Row Academy in the UK. Like most creatives, Atafo switched careers from Marketing and Brand Management to follow his passion for fashion, and since then, he has continued to up the ante. With years of experience in the fashion and lifestyle industry, Mai Atafo who is the Creative Director of his brand, ATAFO, constantly sets the tone for new trends. Atafo recently spoke at Africa Business Conference in association with Harvard Business School.

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

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: Olaniyan John ‘Blake’ Digital Media: Oladimeji Balogun Guest Art Director: Sunny Hughes ‘ SunZA’ www.thewilldowntown.com thewilldowntown thewilldowntown

LIVING

TOP 10 LUXURY CARS 2022

WHAT YOU SAID INSTAGRAM @oladeleogunlana

Wow!!! At some point it felt like "looking in a mirror"

@wear.it.like.ozic

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

@lindajoseph9279

Wow... this is me...

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VOL 2 NO.18 • MAY 1 - MAY 7, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

FASHION

Ann Usiagu-Muraina

Aisha Augie

Modestly

Chic MUSLIM TRENDS THAT EVERYONE CAN TRY BY ABDUL AUWAL

I Z. I. Abdullahi IMAGE BY GEORGE OKORO PAGE 4

slamic trends tend to be more conservative than other styles of Western clothes. Traditional Muslim clothing covers the entire body from head to toe, and women, in particular, must dress modestly. There have been some changes in Islamic clothing as people's attitudes have shifted, and many designers are up for the challenge of redesigning old styles to give them a new and stylish look. The fundamental requirement, however, remains the same. These new takes on Muslim wardrobe staples have become so chic that even non-Muslims are wearing the trend gracefully. From styling Abayas in new ways to modern bridal designs, we have collated a few looks that you can try this Eid al-Fitr, whether you are Muslim or not.

VOL 2 NO.18 • MAY 1 - MAY 7, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

FASHION

Hajju Fadoul Hauwa Indimi-Yar’adua IMAGE BY GEORGE OKORO

Hajia Sparkle

Dina Sambo

Mercy Aigbe

IMAGE FROM ABAYA LAGOS

Maryam Shetty PAGE 5

VOL 2 NO.18 • MAY 1 - MAY 7, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

EARTH

THE SCENEDOWNTOWN

WOMEN PREMIERE

CSR-in-Action Spotlights Social Justice And Inclusion In New Documentary BY KEHINDÉ FAGBULE

he themes of social justice and gender inclusion dominated discussions at the premiere of Earth Women, a poignant docudrama that explores the plight of women living in areas impacted by extractive activities, including oil and gas exploration and mining. The premiere was held alongside the third Community and Human Rights (CAHR) Awards, which honours individuals and organisations contributing selflessly to community development and inclusion in Africa. The grand event had in attendance prominent personalities from business, entertainment, the media and the public sectors such as the Erelu Kuti of Lagos, HRM Abiola Dosunmu; Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji; Lead Pastor, The Elevation Church, Godman Akinlabi; Yemisi Ransome-Kuti; Nollywood stars, Ego Boyo and Rita Dominic, amongst several others. These are some of the attendees and awardees on the night.

Bekeme Masade-Olowola, Chief Executive, CSR-in-Action and Executive Producer, Earth Women

Chief Corp Services O orate Towers, D fficer, IHS apo Otunla

blic Affairs, Director, Puations & ic Commun ity, The Sustainabil Company, Coca-Cola melukwe Amaka Onyeirector, & Country D ment UK Govern t for en tm ar Dep al Trade, Internation imwemwe h C Nigeria, Chalemera

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ability Director, Sustain e at And Corpor , IHS, Communications an ot ol Sh a Cim

Nollywood star and Executive Producer, Earth Women, Ego Boyo

Lead Pastor, O Church, Tund ne e Usidame

The Erelu ofa Lagos, Abiol Dosunmu

Delta MD-CEO, Nigerd An n io at or pl Ex EP, Production, ND Adegbite Falade

Lead Pastor, Th Elevation Chur e Godman Akinlach, bi

Executive Secretary, Nig erian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji

i ansome-Kut Ms Yemisi R omen at Risk & Founder, W ARIF), Dr Foundation (W ru Ib ailv Kemi DaS

ociate, Ford Program AssWest Africa, Foundation emobi & Onyinye Ony tor, Ford Country Direc est Africa, Foundation Wa As Ford Funke Baruw eceives Foundation RFor Its on ti e Recogni Social Justic Support For

Managing Partn Consulting and er, Zenera Director, Earth Executive Woman, Meka Olowola pr appreciation pl esenting an aque to Head, Sustainability, Ac Omobolanle Vict cess Bank, or-Laniyan

VOL 2 NO.18 • MAY 1 - MAY 7, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

DOWNTOWN CONFIDENTIAL

SEXUAL

SIMULATION (Faking It) S

ince the first human took his first breath, everything has had two sides: good and bad, truth and lies, real and fake. You pick the story that appeals to you the most at the time and run with it. When it comes to bedroom relations and orgasms though, the pendulum usually swings to the fake-it side for most women. That doesn't mean that men don't fake it as well but unlike women, it's harder for obvious reasons. According to a 2009 study published in the Journal of Sex Research, 25 per cent of males and 50 per cent of women in a group of college students feigned to experience orgasm. When asked if they have faked orgasm during vaginal intercourse, 28 per cent of men and 67 per cent of women claimed they had. The numbers don't lie, but when women are questioned, "Did you orgasm?" They'll lie 7 out of 10 times—sorry, James or John. But why do women lie, can't they just answer honestly and truthfully when they're asked? "No, I didn't orgasm." For the most part, sex isn't just sex for most women. Coitus is usually preceded by an emotional attraction, no matter how minor. For men, though, it's mostly about physical attractiveness, sex conquest, and then preserving the "conqueror" title. If most women were honest in the bedroom, fragile egos would be destroyed, bridges would be burned, and the gist would either be corrupted or worse, the girl would be called unsavoury things when it was narrated to the boys. For the most part, some men are unconcerned about whether or not a lady orgasms. I'll use the response of a friend (I'll call her Lilia) who narrated her fake orgasm episode to me to illustrate my point. “It was more like everyone should hustle for their own orgasm. We kind of discussed once or

Dorian

He was a terrible philanderer before they met over a year ago. He followed everything in skirts, but not exclusive to skirt wearers alone, and he lived dangerously. Things took a turn for the worst after he contracted a terrible STI from one too many unprotected hookups. His doctor urged him to refrain from coitus for a few months to restore sensitivity to his penis and allow his body to recuperate. He met Kemi at a grocery shop during his sexual break. In his older life, she was the type of girl that tickled his fancy but he was sexually handicapped so he was forced to get to know her.

Kemi

twice but it didn’t matter because he still had sex the way he knew how and everything I said during sex hours fell on deaf ears.” Even though it is a practice that is common among men in the bedroom, this selfish aproach has gone on for years. But women are not the only ones who have had to practice sexual simulation as we will soon come to find out from my friend from last week, Dorian.

They met at a grocery shop about a year ago and have kept in touch since then. They had talked for hours on the phone, texted virtually every day, and spent meaningful time together, but they hadn't progressed past second base. She began to do things that she would not normally do for a man. She'd never known what it was like to not be desired by a man before. She had men from all walks of life falling head over heels for her since her undergraduate days since she was beautiful and endowed. But no one knew her as well as he did. She had spent some nights longing for him, even masturbating to his face and voice. She had fallen in love for the first time in a long time, and today she was willing to use any means of seduction to get a taste of his penis.

Dorian

Them

BY TILEWA KAZEEM

Looking at her exquisite figure laid out on the sheets, it was becoming increasingly hard for him to hold on to his one-year celibacy. At this point, he was holding on by his fingertips and they couldn't hold up to the curvaceous pressure he was in. This was the first time she had dressed scandalously while paying him a visit.

Kemi

Her tactics had worked, as seen by the bulge in his pants and his frantic lip biting. She had him exactly where she wanted him. She has had a crush on him for a long time, but he never made an effort to court her when she visited or stayed the night at his house. She'd spend time sweating it out at the gym to maintain her figure since he said he preferred them 'curvaceous and hot.' Although she only wore clothes that revealed her physical features when paying him visits, it seemed like he didn't see her, it was almost asif she was invincible to him. But today he saw her, he saw all of her.

He wasn't ready to defy his doctor, but if he (the doctor) had seen Kemi, he might reconsider. Not many men would have lasted this long without ripping her clothes off her body and devouring her —with her consent of course. Kemi yanked the duvet from the bed, revealing her toned body in all its splendour. 'F--- it,' he grumbled before giving in. He hurriedly grabbed a sheath and pushed it up to his penis’ trunk before sliding it into Kemi. As she felt him thrust inside her, she let out a sigh of relief. She had climaxed twice in less than seven minutes. Every molecule in her being wanted him, now that she had him inside her, her body submitted. Dorian on the other hand, couldn't feel the sensation in his penis. Having gone so long without intercourse and his terrible relationship with condoms, things weren't going as he imagined. But Kemi’s eyes beamed with pleasure and her pedicured nails dug deeper into his skin with every thrust. She was edging closer to the big O and D was very far from. At this point, his best bet was to pull off an Oscar award performance and fake it. Cloaked behind her moans, he let out simulated groans and fell into her blossom exasperated. He then pulled off the empty sheath and balled it.

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VOL 2 NO.18 • MAY 1 - MAY 7, 2022

COVER

Man Of God,

Akah Nnani Is The Chosen One

WRITTEN BY KEHINDÉ FAGBULE

hether fiction or true-life stories, films are known to give a vivid reflection of society. The ability to take elements from real-life experiences and translate them on-screen has helped us in documenting human existence. The Nollywood industry, for example, is renowned for telling stories that resonate deeply with the Nigerian people. Recently, we got a new installation of one of those stories, and it got people talking. When Man of God debuted on Netflix, it was nothing like we had ever seen before. If you are a behind-the-scenes critic, you'd most likely have a lot to say about the production angle. However, for thespians, it is the fascinating storyline, and impeccable acting spearheaded by a man who is vastly becoming Nollywood’s sweetheart, Akah Nnani.

Photography: Insigna Media @insignaonline Orange Suit: @telvinnwafor Green T-Shirt and Necklace : Stylist's Wardrobe Chelsea Boots: Akah Nnani's Wardrobe Styling and Concept: Obiadi Christen @easternstylist Creative Direction: Kola Oshalusi @kolaoshalusi & Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa

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Akah’s story is quite fascinating. He had to wait seven years to land his first lead role in a feature film and what better way to come. Man of God debuted at number one on Netflix and still occupies the position at the time of press. We had to meet the man. Akah Nnani, as portrayed in the movie, started from the church as well. Born in a religious household, the ministry was a solid foundation of his career. Speaking to DOWNTOWN Editor, Onah Nwachukwu, and writer, Kehinde Fagbule, he shared some insights into his early beginnings. “Some of my craziest moments in life have been in secondary school, Faith Academy, and then moving on to Covenant University- my parents are Winners members. They are not in the country, but they are Winners in the US. Because they believe in the ministry, they decided to send their children to school there. I was in the choir from secondary school through University, so people expected me to be a music artist when I graduated. Everybody thought I was going to be the next D’banj because I had the charisma,” he said.

This was evident in the movie. The early scenes of the movie shows his character performing parodied renditions of Afrobeat’s pioneer, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. And although he appeared to do an amazing job of that, given the extremely limited time he had to prepare, Akah admitted to occasionally falling short and quickly filling the gaps with improvisations of legendary musician D’banj, an “alter ego” he had grown up with. “When I tried to pull off Fela, I decided that if there were any moments in the characterisation that I get to a place where I wouldn't feel sure about the choice that I was about to make, I would switch to D’banj because I had 24 hours to prepare for Fela or to embody that character. And I have never been a “fan” of Fela prior. I love his ideology and what he stood for, but I have never really listened to his music or consumed him as much. I thought that I would start with the film, and then two weeks into the film when I'm already embodying the character, I would then have the chance to have had enough time to enter into Fela. But the first day on set, I was told we were doing the Fela scenes. Bolanle Austen-Peters (BAP) had just sent me the songs that we may be performing at midnight. I started asking myself 'how am I going to pull this off?' I was so scared. So at that moment, I knew that the best thing for me to do was put Fela here and try and see if I can build into his mannerism. But who else can I place side by side that is easier to get if I fall short in my choices? That was D’banj. And that's why you would see a little bit of D’banj. It was really tough but after the day's job, Bolanle Austen-Peters was so impressed, she said “the guy who did Fela for my theater show had six months to get into character, you only had one day.” But I prayed a lot that day. I remember when I was on stage with the dancers smoking, the director yelled “Cut!” And I literally started speaking in tongues. One of the dancers was so shocked she said 'what's happening? Who is this guy?' I knew I couldn't mess it up because it wouldn't take a second for BAP to replace me, so I had to bring my A-game and I couldn't have pulled it off without God.” The fantastic actor that we all know today wasn't always an actor, you see. Growing up, Akah always had a thing for music, so much so that he inspired a few musicians who have gone on to make a name for themselves in the music industry. But why did he quit music before he even started? He explains, “I am an extrovert, so from school, I had already been in the choir. I was quite the performer, but I was not really good with lyrics. So even with Christian songs that I sang on stage, I would forget the lyrics and immediately replace them with something else and everyone would still jam it. I was just performing. I was very into music but immediately I left school, I just didn't want to do it anymore and didn't want to be in the church, even though my mum took much pride in me singing in the choir. So when I got to my NYSC I said to myself 'this is my life, I'm going to do it my way.' That was where I found a little bit of similarity with the character camaraderie because I know what it is to rebel, and I think every youth or child knows what it is to rebel because we all go through phases where we tell ourselves, 'I want to do me and I'm tired of the rules.' I also didn't go into the entertainment space as people would have expected me to. But I think the major reason was that I didn't believe in myself and I didn't think I was good enough.

VOL 2 NO.18 • MAY 1 - MAY 7, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

COVER ...So I got into a white-collar job, in telecommunications. A lot of my friends would come to see me at the office and say, 'you are not meant to be here, what are you doing?'...” Every time I sang, everybody at that point felt like Akah was the best singer in school except me. I taught Ayoola Ayolola (MTN Project Fame winner and The Men's Club actor) how to do riffs and runs back then. Nonso Bassey (of The Voice) in school really looked up to me. All of these people had confidence in me except me who was seen as the number one singer. Because every time I sang, I would ask 'how was it? Did I do well?' I was heavy on the feedback. I listened to a lot of R. Kelly, Joe, and Fred Hammond and was measuring myself by their standard, so when I left school, I concluded that I couldn't do it because I wasn't as good as them.” Akah’s journey was heavily plagued and delayed by bouts of self-doubts. Revered by everyone as the best to ever do it, he never quite blossomed simply because he didn't believe he was good enough. And so he took the easier route and ended up behind an office desk. He talks about that mundane phase of his life and how he was able to eventually break free and return to his original calling. “So I got into a white-collar job, in telecommunications. A lot of my friends would come to see me at the office and say, 'you are not meant to be here, what are you doing?' And then my colleagues started saying it too, 'you're bigger than this place, you're not meant to be in this office.' Whenever D’banj came on the TV, my colleagues would say 'Akah, that's where you're meant to be'. I remember my friend Onyinye Anyeagbu (née Silas) called me from London where she was studying for her Masters. I was in the office and she was like, 'Akah, you're still in that office.' Then, she gave the phone to her roommate and her roommate said 'she had told me so much about you and I just want to say with everything I have heard, you're not meant to be locked up in an office space. I don't know why you are there but you need to just go out and chase your dreams and be where you are meant to be.' Three months down the line, I sent in my resignation letter. So how I came to that decision was not because I got to a place where I felt confident, but I told myself that if everybody is saying the same thing, then I must be the only mad person. So I had to take a chance—I was jobless for like six months. One day I called a friend randomly, Ajifa (Ayjay) and he said to me 'hey Akah, my office is having an audition tomorrow, you should come.' They were looking for a co-host. I went in for that, got the job in February 2014, and that was the beginning of my journey into the entertainment industry. In 2015, I started acting. I thank God for the experience of hosting a TV show because it then helped me with confidence. My producer was very handson, she didn't “like” me at first. In fact, they gave the job to someone else, which was very deserving, I knew he was going to get it. At the

audition, they wanted it verbatim, and even though I knew my lines before I went in, I was so scared, and nervous when I got in, that I had to recite my script like four times before I could get it. But a month later, I got called back. They said the guy had a bad attitude and he had to be replaced. The producer said she saw me at the audition and I was a raw talent. Chichi Okohalum (the producer), took me as raw as I was and began to mould me. That was where it started from, I was live on TVC Entertainment Splash, a lunchtime show. It was live, not prerecorded. She pushed me a lot, and also gave me tips on how to talk before I could think. You see, I'm used to thinking before I talk whereas for TV, and good OAPs, you have to talk before it even makes sense, your mouth has to be faster than your mind. She did a good job on me and that gave me the confidence to go into my first audition for an acting role. I got that gig the first time and that was it.” Akah's debut was in an MNET Africa TV show in 2015, again before the audition, the actor had doubts but his friend, one time DOWNTOWN cover personality, and renowned Pan-African artist, Ric Hassani, gave him the encouragement he needed. And so looking through his filmography and finding that his first-ever scene as an actor is not a Nigerian project sort of raises envious eyebrows. Is he Pan-African? He told us how that came to be. “I think at the time I just wanted to have the opportunity to act. I wasn't even aware of the Pan-Africanism of it all. I just felt that this was the first audition I heard of and I was going to try. Ric Hassani was with me at the time and when I had doubts about even going for the audition, he was the one who convinced me strongly. He said, 'if dem no choose you, who dem go choose?' I just wanted a chance to act and do what I wanted to do. It was Africa Magic's original film, so it was shown everywhere else across the continent.” Before he got on TV as a show presenter, during the transitioning period from the corporate industry to media, Akah decided to start his own YouTube channel. Now one of the biggest YouTubers in the country, he tells us about his experience gradually curating followership and digital presence that would help him be spotted by big names in the film industry. “My YouTube experience has been amazing. I cherish my YouTube audience and the following that I have there because it's just like people leaving everything else to come to listen to you on some platform. I feel like they understand me, care about what I have to say and what I think about certain things and I don't take that trust for granted because I'm very careful with what I say on there and I make sure that I'm using it for the good of humanity. I started my YouTube channel because when I was at TVC, I couldn't say the things that I wanted to say since it was censored and owned by a particular politician. But there were a couple of things that I felt like I needed to share, so I started Akah Bants, talking about politics, and when I began to get traction, I started talking about news and pop culture. The Daily Show with Trevor Noah impacted how I began to tell the news. I then went back to the drawing board and back into giving political news but in gist style. That quickly became a passion project for me. It took a lot of my time, energy, and editing, in particular, drained me. Until I started to invest in it, getting an editor and delegating tasks. Then suddenly, YouTube recognized me as the recipient of 2021’s YouTube Black Voices. That for me was amazing.” Having a channel for himself wasn't enough. Akah, on getting married to the love of his life Claire Idera Nnani, started a YouTube channel called Akah and Claire to document their love story and journey through marriage. When asked

Photography: Insigna Media @insignaonline DWhite Blazer @telvinnwafor Black Pants & Chealsea Boots: Akah Nnani's Wardrobe Styling and Concept: Obiadi Christen @easternstylist Creative Direction: Kola Oshalusi @kolaoshalusi & Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa

if it was difficult convincing her to adopt a lifestyle as a vlogger, he replied, “It wasn't. It was actually quite easy, I think because she already saw the need for it. I had prayed about it because she didn't really like to be in front of the camera but I encouraged her. Luckily, she was consuming a lot of couples content, so she liked it and wasn't against the idea.” Although very refreshing and intuitive, theirs wouldn't be the first couple-channel on YouTube. When asked why they decided to document their journey for the world to see, the chief instigator replied, “At the time I was getting married, we kept hearing 'there's no love anymore' from a lot of our friends, which couldn't be farther from the truth because we found love. But people are constantly seeing the opposite, and people are getting let down on social media because of what they are exposed to. Also, the examples young girls are seeing is if you're not in a private jet or buying your partner Gucci bags, it's not love. Relationships have become transactional. So I felt the strong “calling” [he says as

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VOL 2 NO.18 • MAY 1 - MAY 7, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

COVER that usually happens in marriages. It wouldn't stop people from talking though, with some going as far as cancelling him for his antics in that episode. When asked if it was a tough time for him and his wife, he responded, "It wasn't really tough. My wife and I dealt with it. She hugged me, we prayed and she was like 'okay switch off everything, and let's watch a TV show.' I remember waking up to several missed calls, from Bolanle Olukanni, Bovi, and so on, all of them concerned, asking if I was okay. I expected it. After two backlashes on Twitter, I knew what was going to happen because I was the one who put out that video; my wife didn't even see it before I put it out.”

...we also had to have the conversation about changing our lifestyle because children don't do what you tell them to do, they do what they see you do. So we had to change some of the things that we were used to; how we eat, what we eat..." he signals a quote] to show the opportunity that true love exists, and also there are people (a young man and woman) who can grow together, not have everything but be in love and show progression and contentment. That's what it was about, I just wanted to show the alternative, so people can see and hope for something different. And I think that's what we've been able to do.” But it hasn't been all smooth-sailing. Because of the openness of their relationship to the world, they have been on the receiving end of criticisms online, particularly on Twitter. “Oh! Twitter. I'm a very opinionated person, and I'm just one of those people that feel like we are getting to a society where everybody feels like you have to be linear in your thought process,” he said. In an episode, Akah was seen discussing breastfeeding with his wife. What had been made to look like a confrontation, and so garnered a lot of backlashes online, was in fact one of those regular hard-hitting conversations

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In today's world that is increasingly looking like people are constantly looking for something to be outraged about, fewer questions are asked and more judgements are passed. So we decided to ask to hear from the horse's mouth what exactly had transpired. His narration of the incident clearly showed a young husband, trying to understand his wife's reaction during a previous conversation. “So what had happened was before that time, growing up, the only experience I had of breastfeeding was seeing women breastfeed their babies. I never saw anyone wincing with pain. The only time I saw pain what I heard was 'this baby is biting me,' because babies began to grow teeth. I care about my wife a lot and we had talked about what we wanted for the child which is to breastfeed for a year—we both came to that conclusion together. Now I know that between six to eight months, the baby is going to be growing teeth, and from what I know, women cry when babies bite. So to prepare for that, I bought everything my wife needed even before the baby came. I shopped myself, got a pregnancy list from about five of my friends who had given birth, went through the list with my wife, and bought everything we needed, including the breast pump. And so we agreed for her to start pumping as early as possible before the baby began growing teeth. Unbeknownst to me, I didn't know that breastfeeding was a problem because she was going through pain and it was draining. So the day before that video, I asked her in the bathroom, 'how can we make sure that we make more milk and store it for the baby?' and she wasn't having it, so we didn't go further. The next day, I was sitting down in the house and I asked her why she was harsh when I brought up the conversation the day before. You see, we had already had an agreement. It was in the middle of explaining why she responded the way she did the previous day, that my friend who was there started a video recording of the conversation. She was doing most of the explaining and I was trying to understand. So many things were new to me as I was hearing them. It was after that, that my friend showed me the video and we concluded that men need to know what's happening. They need to understand.” Opinions are important; they form criticisms that help shape us to be better versions of ourselves. However, when they are not properly conveyed, they can quickly cause a lot of friction between us. Akah explains the Twitter ordeal. “What happened on Twitter? I explained everything on Instagram. Instagram was very understanding. Somebody just took a small clip and posted it on Twitter with no context, none of my captions and then boom, everybody started fighting. But Twitter is just a 'woke' society, a mob; if you don't think what the popular opinion is saying, then you are wrong and an enemy. That was what happened and I'm very opinionated. And to be honest, I can drag,” he said with a smug. In December 2020, Akah and his wife, Claire, welcomed their daughter. Having to parent a child today is not an easy task as we have seen with the barrage of ill-behaved children stories

as a result of faulty parenting. Reflecting on the movie, Man of God, a significant theme of it is parenting, so we asked Akah what conversations he has with his wife amid the chaotic overflow of parenting opinions on social media today and he happily shared an insight, “I think the most important conversation we always have is making choices for her, but we also had to have the conversation about changing our lifestyle because children don't do what you tell them to do, they do what they see you do. So we had to change some of the things that we were used to; how we eat, what we eat, what we do. We cut down on TV time in our home, we maybe watch two hours of TV every week. I made the decision to read more mid-last year because I realised that I was

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COVER constantly on my phone or laptop, and my child will see me and want a phone of her own too. So I started reading because I want her to be a bookworm, I bought books for her. I have a library. I told my wife 'babes, you have to reduce your screen time whenever you're around Gabby,' so those are the kinds of talks we have. We have to model. I also see her (our daughter) for who she is; she's very strong-willed and I love it.”

Photography: Insigna Media @insignaonline Denim jacket: @the_3rdeye White shirt and Ankara Cravat: Stylist's Wardrobe Styling and Concept: Obiadi Christen @easternstylist Creative Direction: Kola Oshalusi @kolaoshalusi & Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa

Oftentimes, actors draw from their personal experiences to be able to interpret certain roles. Curious to know if parts of Akah's life was portrayed in the film, we asked the man himself if there were any similarities between his life and that of the character he played. “I think coming from a religious background, I related with him (the character Samuel) but not the physical abuse aspect. I remember when we were in school, Bishop Oyedepo told teachers, 'that rod is not the cane, it is the word of God.' However, I’m happy with my portrayal of this character, when I see Samuel, I don't see myself, which is very rare.” It turns out that self-doubt has been a recurring theme all through Akah’s impressive career. Akah, who garnered so much critical acclaim for his role in Funke Akindele’s Omo Ghetto (The Saga), revealed that he indeed wasn't impressed by his performance in the film. He narrates how he watched it for the first time three months after it was released in the cinemas—as he was occupied with Daddy duties—and leaving unimpressed. He said, “As I mentioned before when I see my movies, I scrutinize them over and over again. With Omo Ghetto (The Saga) for instance, I only got to see it three months after it premiered because my baby was born on the day of the premiere. Oh my goodness, I left underwhelmed with my performance. I got so many DMs and calls telling me just how good I was, but I didn't see what people saw, I could only see flaws upon flaws. And it's a recurring theme with some other projects that I've been on. But when I saw this film, Man of God, I was very impressed. And what's a blessing is that I didn't even have to call anyone to ask if they liked it or not. It is so good, I was watching it at the premiere seated beside my wife and I yelled 'sh-t! I dey act mehn!' he concluded, pointing to how captivated he was by his own performance. Finally! It's been a long time coming. If you've seen Man of God, you'd reckon that there are several takeaways from it—some more emphasized than others. When we asked the lead actor, central to all of the life lessons that the film has to teach, what his personal takeaways are, his passionate response was, "There's a way that seems right to a man but the end of it is destruction." Everybody is talking about Reks, Teju, Joy, and the love stories, but nobody has picked up on that. That's what I want people to take away from it. Whether it's the pastor who's not doing right, the drug guys, the yahoo boys, the people who are abusive to their children or forcing a lifestyle on their kids, the kids who aren't listening and rebelling: "There is a way that seemeth right to a man but the end of it is destruction.” he buttressed. Another facet of society that the movie touches on is the immunity that pastors have, which makes them get away with

whatever wrongdoings they are involved in. In 2019, Akah was very vocal in his cry for justice and due process when the story of the lead pastor of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (popularly known as COZA) Pastor Fatoyinbo’s sexual assault allegations broke on the internet. Some scenes in the film mirror that ordeal, and so we asked if it was intentional. He replied, “It was a coincidence because this role was selected for me before I was born. Bolanle Austen-Peters didn't even know that (my activism on Fatoyinbo's story). I don't think it was about any particular pastor because he's not the only one. Three years ago when the story broke, for me, it wasn't about him, it was about the rape culture, the way the church was responding, and the way people responded toward the victim and protected the alleged predator because we don't know yet. So can we calm down? Can we behave right? Can you step down and let due process follow? That was what I was about. How do we make sure we install the right processes in dealing with issues like this especially when it comes to church? Because if we cannot hold the moral standards in church, then we cannot hold them in politics. You cannot hold your pastors accountable; and who are they? They are the pillars of morality in society whether we like it or not. So, for me, I wanted to set an example and also educate people on how to deal with issues like this. Don't protect the supposed predator. Ask for accountability, ask for him to be open with the investigation, and when it's clear

I'm blessed, but people don't understand that being blessed doesn't necessarily mean that everything is “soft”. If you're doing what God says you should do, you are highly favoured. I am the chosen one.”

that it wasn't the case, get back up. But don't be in the seat of power that can help you influence the outcome of the investigation. But anyway, for me, this story is not about any particular pastor. And if it shows whatever any pastor is doing, then ooops! Some pastors sponsored that film. As a matter of fact, we filmed the church scenes in a church. My pastors were in full support of this film, they were there for me, and prayed for me. The cross I wore for the premiere was a gift from a pastor. He brought it himself and put it on me.” All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. When asked what he does for leisure, he said, “I watch cartoons or read a book. I love spending time with my family, I find it very therapeutic. I enjoy spending time with my wife and making her feel good because her love language is a quality time which is coincidentally the farthest love language for me. My love language is ‘acts of service’. And it's not only just spending time with my wife but also being there for my daughter. I give her baths, change her diapers, feed her, and make her food. Three weeks after her birth, I was already giving her baths. So those things make me feel fulfilled, centered, and at home, they help me feel relaxed.” Akah Nnani has no doubt been misunderstood on the internet a few times in recent years. So we thought it was a good idea to end the chat by providing an insight into who he really is. When asked to describe himself in three words that are not ‘Man’, ‘of’, and ‘God’, he said, “Disruptor. Giver. Chosen.” He explains, “I've always found that I like to disrupt; systems, school of thought, religion, pop culture, politics, I'm a disruptor with anything. Giver because I give a lot. Time, attention, money, space, self, because we are called to actually serve in whatever capacity; as a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a friend, a citizen of the country, even as a believer, I serve because that's what I'm called to do. Chosen because I was chosen to do this. And that means I'm blessed, but people don't understand that being blessed doesn't necessarily mean that everything is “soft”. If you're doing what God says you should do, you are highly favoured. I am the chosen one.”

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THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

BEAUTY

THE GLOBAL REVOLUTION OF GREEN BEAUTY BY SOPHIA EDISI

he green beauty movement has become more popular as the general public interest in sustainability continues to grow. Beauty brands are now going more into natural and environmental-friendly products for more sustainability, meaning they are natural with identifiable ingredients, vegan, and cruelty-free. They are packed with the goodness of natural ingredients containing, vitamins, and antioxidants from plants and trees. They have all the power of synthetic chemicals without any of the toxicity and side effects. By choosing green beauty, you automatically relinquish toxic and synthetic products. Going green is the purest alternatively nourishing way to cater to your skin and hair.

BENEFITS OF GREEN BEAUTY PRODUCTS •

CONNECTS YOU WITH NATURE

•

COMES WITH A NATURAL SCENT

•

NO INTERNAL/EXTERNAL DAMAGES

•

YOUR SKIN'S SAFETY IS GUARANTEED

These products are based on what is produced and offered by Mother Nature, so there is nothing more beneficial than that. Since they are made from natural ingredients, the products are cruelty-free. Fragrance is important when it comes to healing your skin inside out. Natural products are completely devoid of any artificial or toxic smells. They are naturally scented which is great as some smell could easily make you suffer severe headaches or cause a reaction to your skin as well.

•

FOR ALL SKIN TYPE

These products usually cater for all skin types because the ingredients come with no side effects. The natural ingredients address every skin issue, so all you need to do is focus on your skin type and the ingredients will do the rest.

Natural ingredients are less likely to cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. The main purpose of these products is to purify the skin deeply without any harmful effects. They provide healing effects on skin and hair since it doesn't feed your skin with artificial supplements or harmful toxins.

CLEANSING AGENT

As a beauty lover, it is important for you to feel safe with what you apply to your body. With green products, the safety of your skin is guaranteed. Known to be the secret to healthy and glowing skin, the botanical ingredients, which are enriched with natural vitamins and antioxidants, make them skin-friendly.

•

It works to remove the dust, dead cells, and dirt that chokes the pores on the skin. Some of the common cleansers have oils like coconut and sesame oil, for deep pore cleansing face washes.

ENSURE LONG-TERM SKIN HEALTH

While chemicals may deliver short-term results, the long-term effects can be highly toxic to humans and the environment. Constant use of synthetic cosmetics has been traced to headaches, skin damage, acne, and premature aging. Whereas sustainable products provide long-lasting healing to your skin because they rely on the healing properties found naturally in plants.

Gentle Foam Citrus Cleanser ORIKI

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USE THEM AS:

Clay and Clear Facial Cleanser NOKWARESKINCARE

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THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

BEAUTY

TONING PROPERTIES

ESSENTIAL OILS

The toners help to tighten the skin and keep it from being exposed to many toxins or other environmental pollutants. Some of the plants used as toners are witch hazel, geranium, sage, lemon, ivy burdock, and essential oils.

Treat your skin right with beautiful natural oils that are a high-quality blend of medicated herbs and the finest plant and seed extract. It’s ideal for restoring and maintaining a healthy body glow.

Clarifying Body Oil EWAMI

Restorative Essence Toner Q BEAUTY

FACE MASKS

MOISTURISES

A mask sits on your face for about 15-20 minutes and that’s a long time for your skin to absorb all the goodness of natural skincare products. The herbal grains in a natural mask will hydrate, smoothen, and give a slight exfoliation, leaving you with glowy skin.

Moisturising helps the skin to become soft, and healthy. Moisturisers containing natural beauty ingredients improve the appearance and influence the functions of the skin by providing and delivering essential nutrients necessary for healthy skin.

Repair and Renew Face Cream RAW BEAUTY

French Lavender Body Oil NATURE'S BAR

Eden’s Elixir Toner ARAMI

Serum Me Body Serum SKINBYTEJ

Detox Cleansing Face Masque RAW BEAUTY

Instant Radiant Exfoliating Mask Q BEAUTY

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LIVING

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

LOTUS EMIRA The Lotus Emira is the company's greatest road vehicle ever, with a sumptuous appearance and a powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine. It's also the company's final gas-powered model. The Emira will be powered by one of two engines: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder or a supercharged 3.5-liter V-6. The four-cylinder engine is from Mercedes-AMG and produces 360 horsepower. It only sends power to the back wheels through a dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The V-6 engine is a Toyota-sourced powerplant brought over from the previous Evora GT. It may be paired with either an automated torque converter gearbox or a manual transmission.

BY ABDUL AUWAL

uxury automobiles are distinguished not only by their smooth ride, high levels of technology, and elegance but also by the amount of prestige they convey. But which one has the greatest class and deserves to be at the top of our best 10 list?

RR BLACK BADGE The new Black Badge Ghost is a step forward for the brand. Or, to put it another way, it legitimizes a trend that Rolls consumers, who are younger and trendier, have been following for some years. This is Rolls-Royce with a new manifesto to communicate with a consumer base that it recognizes is changing.

TOYOTA SUPRA A91-CF The letter CF in the name stands for carbon fiber, and it is this material that distinguishes the A91-CF Edition from other Supras. Carbon fiber is used on the front splitter, rockers, rear spoiler, and lower canards. Toyota claims that these aerodynamic additions are useful and boost downforce at greater speeds. The CF Edition also comes with matte-black 19-inch wheels, a red-and-black interior treatment, and carbon fiber inside trim. There are only 600 of these super babies.

ASTON MARTIN VALKYRIE SPIDER Every line and curve has been carefully examined to improve the aerodynamics of the Valkyrie Spider. While the gaping mouth and curiously narrow headlamps aren't very attractive, there's a feeling of satisfaction in knowing that Aston has refined this car to be as slick as possible. Massive full-length Venturi tunnels on either side of the cockpit floor aid to pull in enormous chunks of air and help the car produce over 3,086 pounds of downforce at over 150 mph while in track mode.

PAGE 14

BENTLEY FLYING SPUR The Archetypal Luxury Car. It is a work of art that combines craftsmanship and contemporary design to provide the ideal passenger experience. However, appearances can be misleading. The Flying Spur has a secret under its sleeve or to be more exact, beneath its super-formed bonnet. You can anticipate performance unlike any other automobile in its class, whether you pick the spectacular 6.0-liter W12 engine or the powerful 4.0-liter V8 engine. Because this is also a driver's vehicle, a place where thrill and elegance collide, whether you're in the driver's seat or the front seat.

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

MERCEDES BENZ MAYBACH S CLASS Thanks to ultimate luxury Cars like the 2023 Mercedes-Maybach S-class, the worlds wealthiest have a place to lay their weary heads on the drive between their rooftop helipad and their Hamptons mansion. These super-rich people may choose between twin-turbo V-8 or V-12 powertrains, as well as a very spacious and sumptuous interior. Compared to flashier ultra-luxury rivals like the blinged-out Rolls-Royce Phantom and Ghost, the Maybach's styling is intricately made.

VOL 2 NO.18 • MAY 1 - MAY 7, 2022

LIVING PAGANI HUAYRA The Pagani Huayra, which was introduced in Italy 10 years ago, remains a symbol in the hypercar class to this day. Pagani has now introduced the Huayra R for 2021, a version of the car described by creator Horacio Pagani as "the freest, most radical, most performance-oriented Pagani of all time."

RR CULLINAN The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is a high-end luxury SUV that costs several hundred thousand dollars and is intended for a highly exclusive and rich group of consumers. It requires a suitable engine, notably a turbocharged 6.75-litre V12, to support its weight of almost 2,700 kilos. Output is rated at 563 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque in basic trim. These figures grow to 591 and 664, respectively, if you choose the Black Badge variant.

LAMBORGHINI COUNTACH Unlike the previous Countach, the new one has a tiny electric motor fueled by a supercapacitor that works in tandem with a powerful mid-mounted V-12 to produce a total of 802 horsepower. Lamborghini says that this powertrain will allow it to accelerate from zero to 62 mph in 2.8 seconds and reach a peak speed of 221 mph. All 112 copies of the 2022 Countach have already been spoken for before anybody calls their Swiss banker about a seven-figure wire transfer.

MERCEDES BENZ BRABUS G63 This power horse has stainlesssteel high-performance exhausts with active valves to provide that wonderful V8 sound. In addition, the package comes in two colour options: Stealth Gray or Signature Black. Meanwhile, black leather with unique stitching patterns, carbon accents, and metal pedals adorn the inside.

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

Movie Review:

THE BEST OF MOVIES & TELEVISION IN 2022 (SO FAR)

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

Playlist for the week 1

e are already in the second quarter of the year and as such, it makes for a good time to check in on the best of what has been released. So this article will outline what I think have been the best releases of a typically sparse period of the filmgoing year.

Movies Ambulance Ambulance follows two brothers who steal an ambulance after a botched bank heist and lead the Los Angeles Police Department on a chase across the city, all with a couple of accidental hostages in the back. The robbers are played by Yahya Abdhul Matteen II, who brings a sympathetic presence to the high-stakes chase, and Jake Gyllenhaal at his unhinged best. But it’s action director extraordinaire Michael Bay who is the real star of the show. After ten years in the dark dungeons of Transformers sequels, Ambulance is the best version of Michael Bay. The movie has all the hallmarks of Bay’s best work, like The Rock and Bad Boys, mixed with the mastery of new technologies that he’s shown in more recent works like 13 Hours. Drone cameras soar through car chases, hand-held shots give us an up-close view of panicked amateur-surgery, and every explosion looks incredible. Does every ounce of the story make perfect sense and conform to the laws of reality? No, it absolutely does not. But it is a tremendously fun 2-hour long car chase, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. It feels good to have Bay back at the top of his game.

The Batman Matt Reeves’ reboot of the Dark Knight isn’t as bold as it might be, but it sure is stylish. A long, slow-burning mystery in the vein of David Fincher’s Seven, The Batman infuses a familiar story with darkly beautiful imagery and magnetic performances from stars Robert Pattinson and Zoë Kravitz. When it isn’t too enamored with ideas already explored in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, The Batman lays exciting groundwork for a richer, stranger sort of Batman movie, which will hopefully materialize as a sequel reuniting everyone who made this one such a pleasure to watch.

PAGE 16

Everything, Everywhere, All at Once This is a wild, winning multiverse comedy slash kung-fu epic about a depressed laundromat owner (Michelle Yeoh) who’s called on to save billions of alternate universes from evil. Part metaphorical attempt to reckon with the chaos of the internet age, part lifeaffirming argument against despair, and part reckless absurdist action movie, it’s simultaneously hilarious and touching, an impressive special-effects experiment and a tremendous mental reboot on the order of The Matrix. This is the only movie you’ll see this year (or probably ever) where one man gets beaten to death with oversized floppy dildos, while another changes the world with a single line: “Be kinder to each other.”

TV Shows Abbott Elementary The sitcom mockumentary format has been done to death at this point, but against all odds, Abbott Elementary manages to refresh that formula and breathe new life into it. It just makes sense that a school would be the subject of a documentary. The best part of Abbott Elementary is that each of the teachers just feels real, like a teacher you probably had at one point or another in your life. Sheryl Lee Ralph and Janelle James command the cast as wise kindergarten teacher Barbara and workallergic, self-absorbed principal Ava, but from eager and sometimes naive Janine (Quinta Brunson, also series creator) to street smart Philadelphia native Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter), all the characters are vivid, messy, and relatable in their own ways. And they all learn from each other, so no one person is the butt of all the jokes, and instead, they have their own separate strengths and weaknesses — and separate quirks about them that make them hilarious. Also, the added bonus of the kids being absolutely adorable makes Abbot Elementary particularly special.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

BNXN fka Buju; Zinoleesky - Kilometer - Remix melvitto; Wande Coal - Gentility Reminisce; BNXN fka Buju; D Smoke - Hustle Adekunle Gold - Win Raebel - Miniskirt

PeaceMaker If Guardians of the Galaxy showed how James Gunn could paint within the lines to form one of the better MCU scripts, then Peacemaker shows what he can accomplish when given relatively free rein. The C-string hero Peacemaker was best known for inspiring Watchmen’s The Comedian or being the consummate asshole of The Suicide Squad. In this series, Gunn showed him in all his human glory: flawed, intense, wounded, caring, an impeccable dancer. Throughout it all, John Cena as Peacemaker manages to fine-tune some genuine pathos, while also anchoring a rock-solid cast adept at Gunn’s tonal swings. At this point, it’s one of the few superhero projects that feels easy to root for the next chapter of. Here’s to many more eagle hugs.

6. 7. 8. 9.

Salle; T.I BLAZE - Soul ArrDee - Come & Go Magixx; Ayra Starr - Love Don't Cost A Dime (Re-Up) Boj; Fireboy DML - Owo Ni Koko

Ozark Season 4 On a lot of these "best of" lists, you'll see miniseries, new shows, and the occasional long-running favorite, but it's hard to keep a series fresh season after season. That's what makes Ozark so special. Now on its fourth batch of episodes, the series starring Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, and the incomparable Julia Garner, has continued to reinvent itself and offer some of the best television on any platform.

The Dropout Deepen that voice and don that turtleneck, we have some investing to do. Hulu's The Dropout is the first semi-fictionalized venture depicting the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes, the notorious scammer who convinced a whole slew of high profile investors to bet on her "innovative" medical company. The only issue, of course, is that the company that purported to be able to take a drop of blood and run diagnostic tests... couldn't actually do that. Amanda Seyfried steps into the role of Holmes brilliantly, capturing the laser-focus of a desperate businesswoman and the naiveté of a young woman who believed she could pull it all off.

Euphoria Season 2 After a long hiatus, Euphoria's glorious, if not extremely stressful, return is proof that the series is not a one-season wonder. Picking up after Rue's Season One relapse, the series from Sam Levinson has moved at a breakneck pace, with Sydney Sweeney giving a particularly notable performance. Do you want dicks in the foyer? This season has it. Do you want hot tub vomit? Got that, too. It’s a lot.