THEWILL DOWNTOWN PREVIEW EDITION

PREVIEW EDITION • DECEMBER 2020

SEUN & YEIDE KUTI’S Year Newly-wed Romance

PREVIEW EDITION • DECEMBER 2020

EDITOR’S NOTE

CONTENTS

Photo: Hair by Ugo

8-11 COVER STORY: Seun & Yeide Kuti

Downtown is where it’s at...

Seun and Yeide Kuti are two seemingly separate individuals with clear differences, the most noticeable is the height disparity but in truth, they are two sides of the same coin.

Nobody could have predicted how 2020 turned out. The losses and the gains, the shattered norms and upended stereotypes.

The hard questions we’ve been forced to ask ourselves in the solitude of our homes and deep in our hearts. It’s been a year unlike any other in history, changing the way we work, travel, socialize while allowing us examine what truly matters beneath the hats (and masks) that we all wear.

In the midst of all of this, we, too, at THEWILL. made a bold move to increase our footprint and expand our reach beyond the digital and into the world of print, crystallizing into this 16-page magazine you hold in your hands today. Bringing you the best in lifestyle content from across the country and the world, we are here despite the odds and it feels good!

We aren’t the only ones making bold moves and big changes... our Cover stars, Seun & Yeide Kuti, finally got married after 15 years of being together as lovers and co-parents at a time when marriages are crumbling like poorly made chin-chin and divorces are at an all-time high. Theirs is a truly refreshing story of millennial black love and modernday parenting, captured on camera by a young new talent, Rachel Seidu,who we’ve also profiled.

I would also like to thank my entire team for a fantastic first outing and you the readers, without whom we would be aimless orators and scribes. Above everything else, I’m grateful to God for grace and mercy to allow me do this job I love and do it so well.

I simply cannot wait to show you all what Downtown has to offer but this preview edition will have to suffice for now. Follow us on instagram @TheWillDowntown.

Merry Christmas and Have a blessed New Year!

Love & Light,

LATASHA NGWUBE @latashalagos

THE TEAM Editor-in-Chief : Austyn Ogannah Editor : Latasha Ngwube Columnist : Odun Ogunbiyi Feature Writer : Chisom Njoku Junior Writer : Ogala Osoka Guest Photographer: Rachel Seidu Graphics/Layout : Tosin Yusuph Guest Layout Designer: Sunny Hughes Digital Media: Olanrewaju Balogun

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4

Oddbod & the city

5

The Review Downtown

6

Make a Bold Fashion Statement This Season!

7

Love Letters from Yeside Laguda

12

The Scene Downtown

14

SÓRÓSOKE DOWNTOWN

PREVIEW EDITION • DECEMBER 2020

LIVE! Lounge

DOWNTOWN HOTSPOT

WHERE: VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS

BY BUCHI PANAMA

E

very December, the city of Lagos plays host to new spots around town and we are never mad at that.

From the many, we have picked out premium live entertainment spot – LiVE! Lounge, whose doors are now open for the festive season. From restaurant celebrations to decadent home deliveries, LiVE! has Christmas all wrapped up and here’s why!

The LiVE! experience promises world-class entertainment with a unique culinary offering with classic and signature cocktails for even the most discerning palate. Having played host to the best of live music groups including the resounding success that was - The Alternate Sound Room @ LiVE! with highly acclaimed Nigerian band; Alternate Sound, the lounge is also home to the first comedy club in West Africa; “Laugh Out LiVE!”, a show headlined by ace comedian Basketmouth.

LiVE! sets the tone for a month of laughter as notable comedians -Seyi Law, Buchi, Short Family set to herald the

Alternate Sound

first show of the season on Wednesday 9th December.

The trio whose inimitable craft has seen them emerge as Nigeria’s foremost standup comedians will thrill guests and attendees to an evening of unending humor.

Other shows on the 16th, 23rd and 30th of December will feature comic legends; Gandoki, Bash, I Go Save, Senator, Dan Humorous, Bash, Forever, Dee-One & Buchi as they take on the stage to deliver sets of unforgettable comedic genius. Expect great vibes, good food, and unique memories that will not leave you in a hurry. Clear your diary, call your friends & household and reserve a spot this December.

Join the conversation on Instagram @livelounge_ng.

Basket Mouth

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PREVIEW EDITION • DECEMBER 2020

ODDBOD & THE CITY ODUN OGUNBIYI

M

y dear friend Queen Elizabeth II once famously referred to 1992 as an “annus horribilis”. I have a feeling if she had known what she would live to see in 2020 she may have saved that title for this year.

I have been getting mixed signals about the general mood this upcoming holiday season. There is definitely a movement dictating a more sombre attitude towards the whole celebration and gift-giving. I shall be having none of that. While I don’t think I shall be attending any parties… no idea when the vaccine is going to make it south of the equator, I think this is the year for thoughtful gift-giving.

I am buying Nigerian; I am supporting small business and I am uplifting my fellow women in business.

Here is my 2020 gift list.

For further information about my adventures check out my Instagram @ oddbodandthecity.

Ribbon Room @ribbonroomballoons.ng Balloons are literal bubbles of joy and when it comes to balloon artistry nobody does it better than Ribbon Room. An enhancement to any gift or a gift all by themselves.

Aunt Harriet’s @auntharriets This brand has quite the loyal following and that’s because of its gorgeously practical accessories—made using upcycled vintage aso oke to create some truly well-considered gifts.

Spoon Catering @spooncateringng Patrick Row Maison @patrickrowmaison Send your loved one a little luxury interior accent from Patrick Row Maison.

I am partial to their gorgeously (recyclable) packaged all-natural soy, coconut wax, and essential oils candles.

Drinks Couture @drinkscouture Home of the Bollinger Bond 007 Limited Edition Millesime 2011 Champagne for starters, they are currently shipping out a wonderful selection of alcohol-themed hampers for your connoisseur friends.

Aralia by Nature @araliabynature This year I am advocating gifting plants instead of flowers. Studies have proven that house plants reduce stress and boost your mood. Sustainable and mental health-boosting, the gift that keeps giving.

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If food is your love language, Spoon Catering is native-tongue fluent. Delicious food, beautifully arranged and boxed that you can have delivered to your loved one at home or in the office, is their calling card

PREVIEW EDITION • DECEMBER 2020

This week, The Review Downtown brings you 4 films as rated by movie critic and enthusiast- Shola Thompson via his Instagram handle.

Follow him @sholathompson1 to read more from his beautifully twisted yet brilliant mind but for now sit back, read, enjoy then go watch our curated list!

His House 9.5/10 Starring: Sope Dirisu, Wunmi Mosaku, and directed by Remi Reekes.

This movie is basically like nothing you’ve ever seen and I’m betting it would be nominated at the Oscars for Best Original Screenplay while Wunmi Mosaku, who plays the lead role, should be nominated for Best Actress.

There are tons of haunted house movies out there but this take comes with a whole new twist. As far as horror movies go, His House manages in some way to almost redefine the genre. OMOOO!! I was legitimately terrified. This movie didn’t apply the typical jump-scare tactics but it manages to present its frights with such intensity, I wouldn’t suggest you watch it at night.

It is not just a typical horror movie as its premise revolves around a Sudanese couple looking to seek refuge in England away from their war-torn country. The story reveals the couple’s struggle to fit in as they cope with PTSD, exposing bone-chilling consequences at every plot point. You won’t be forgetting this movie anytime soon. This is a fantastic directorial debut for Remi Reekes and all I can say is, Welcome bruh! You have arrived! This movie will blow your mind and leave you picking up the pieces by yourself.

Rattle Snake: The Ahanna Story - 6/10 Starring: Osas Ighodaro, Stan Eze, Buchi Franklin, Efa Iwara, Chinwe Wilfred, Tobi Bakre Ramsey Noah knows how to pull out the best performances from almost anybody. Even though Osas started with her usual average delivery, she eventually eases into the role nicely.

You kind of feel the movie was made with so much gusto and heart but sadly suffered a miserable attack in the editing room and what was left of its soul was sold to the capitalist gods, no thanks to the super tacky product placement.

It did seem like the original length of the movie would have been almost double what they eventually put out as it was obvious some rushed cuts sacrificed almost all the movie’s identity, leaving only highlights of the movie’s plot points.

The movie lacked flow. The concept is sort of like lovemaking, you know what the goal is and you are ready and equipped with all your “moves”, but the most important thing tool is timing, not switching to different positions every minute, leaving the person involved confused and frustrated.

Rattlesnake does not allow scenes enough time to breathe, and the protagonist’s motive and actions seemed rather misplaced.

The consequence was that important scenes lose its value.

I thought after Living in bondage (I enjoyed the crossover bit) someone had found the captivating blockbuster blueprint but unfortunately, we are not close to leaving our mark as I had hoped.

So as with most frustrating football strikers, your skill or talent wouldn’t matter at all if you cannot time your run.

Kambili: The Whole 30 Yards - 7.5/10 Starring: Nancy Isime, Mawuli Gavor, Sharon Ooja, Jidekene Achufusi, Venita Akpofure, Koye Kekere-Ekun, Toyin Abraham.

So If Nancy Isime decided to sell all her belongings to make this movie, it would have been worth it. She just might be the new Rom-Com Queen. She reprises the role of Kambili and we are transformed to a world where she is clearly in her element and it fits her like a glove.

Even though I did not catch the movie from the very beginning, it all still worked out well. Kayode Kasum gets major props too as it’s clear he understands this field pretty well. The soundtracks and theme songs are about 95% on point. The cinematography and editing might have been somewhat inconsistent in some parts but those hitches are not so glaring that it should distract from the smooth flow of the movie.

The cast members were bring their A-game. Sharon Ooja does great work; Mawuli Gavor played his role well... a little too well.

Venita didn’t have to do too much but she is good as well. Koye was on point, as usual while Elvina Ibru keeps it classy as always.

Uzor Arukwe looks like he would be around for a long time. Toyin Abraham…We all know that Toyin Abraham always delivers a topnotch performance. However, I wasn’t completely convinced

by Jidekene. He did not do all badly but he sometimes seemed a little out of place. This may have mattered if the director, Kayode Kasum did not know how to piece it all together nicely. This movie deserves the accolades. A simple happy-go-lucky movie!

Enola Holmes 8/10 Starring: Millie Bobby Brown, Helena Bonham Carter, Henry Cavill, Sam Claflin.

The young Millie BB was undoubtedly born to play this role and it’s no wonder she co-produced it.

In a time when the patriarchy reigns supreme, a young lady decides to define her reality with the help of her missing mother. Created from the larger-than-life Sherlock Holmes franchise, this refreshing story with its obvious message of female empowerment, delivers in a subtle yet intentional; direct, yet compelling format. This might be due to Millie’s performance, which sufficiently captures the struggles of an intelligent 16-year-old girl with big hopes and dreams in a time where women were expected to simply get married and bear children. The movie is super realistic with how it subtly captures the Zeitgeist of 19th-century England as it relates to the treatment of women. It does a good job of coming off as playful and enjoyable. I am definitely looking forward to future installments of Enola (Eni baby) Holmes.

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PREVIEW EDITION • DECEMBER 2020

FASHION

Make a Bold Fashion Statement This Season!

BY OGALA OSOKA

T

his is the season to be jolly and the monochromatic style, while a classic, may be a tad too serious for the holidays. Bold use of color can be interesting as well as appealing especially when worn as a suit. Fashion designers and stylists have embraced the pop colored suit trend in bright and playful hues for both men and women alike. With all things fashion, it’s always a risk when attempting a trend as one can end up looking clownish or even worse, tacky. So here’s the ultimate tip to follow with pop-colored style: Go tonal! Use the same colors, and if you must mix colors, only limit it to colors within the same family.

MODELS FOR MAI ATAFO

Rita Dominic

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Toke Makinwa

Mai Atafo

Ik Osakioduwa

Iyke Nnama

PREVIEW EDITION • DECEMBER 2020

FASHION

Love Letters from Yeside Laguda

BY BUCHI PANAMA

I

nspite of the many challenges induced by the global pandemic, Womenswear brand formerly known as MyQLady has been busy!

The now eponymously named Yeside Laguda brand debuted its new collection- Love Letters, as an ode to all women. In their words, “It’s our letter to you of your awesomeness. 2020 has been THAT year, but we remain grateful”. The collection was streamed online to a live online audience who shared, reposted and left congratulatory messages online. You can watch the full collection video on our Instagram page @TheWillDowntown and tell us which ones you’d be rocking this holiday!

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PREVIEW EDITION • DECEMBER 2020

COVER

SEUN & YEIDE KUTI’S Year Newly-wed Romance

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PREVIEW EDITION • DECEMBER 2020

COVER

To paraphrase 2Pac’s song “Me and My Girlfirend”, all Seun and Yeide have needed in this life of sin for a long time is each other.

Seun and Yeide Kuti are two seemingly separate individuals with clear differences, the most noticeable is the height disparity but in truth, they are two sides of the same coin.

After being introduced through Yeide’s cousin many years ago, the couple would meet and feel undeniable chemistry but play it down for obvious reasons.

“We were friends. There was attraction but we tried to play it down because I was seeing somebody and he was also seeing somebody.”

But as the kids say today, ‘don’t let your boyfriend stop you from finding your husband’. That funny rhetoric might just have some merit because more than a decade down the road, Seun and Yeide are now happily married with a beautiful seven year old daughterAdara Kuti.

The couple, in an encounter with Downtown’s Editor, Latasha Ngwube and Features writer, Chisom Njoku for this preview edition to talk about their seemingly spontaneous wedding a couple of weeks ago, parenthood and staying in love forever after 15 years together!

BY OGALA OSOKA

“

We were friends. There was attraction but we tried to play it down because I was seeing somebody and he was also seeing somebody.

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PREVIEW EDITION • DECEMBER 2020

COVER SEUN...

Your father, Fela, married 27 women in a single ceremony, making it one of the biggest and most widely known weddings in Nigeria. You, his son, married your wife privately, which is an interesting irony. Can you comment on the juxtaposition of your father being the popular big-hearted polygamist and you loving small secret weddings?

Actually, my father married 26 wives one day. People will say 27, because he had 27. He first married one, his first wife. Then he married 26, not 27. You see? So me too may be I just married one, and then I would still marry 26. Who knows? (Laughs).

2020 has been a challenging year that has everyone questioning their mortality. Did this in any way affect your decision to transit from dating to actual marriage, giving that you already had been dating for 15 years?

Yetunde and I have been traditionally married for a while. We just decided to make it official because in the day and age people want to see paper work before they do anything. For me, I have never seen myself as a moral person because morality has never been my compass. Our wedding is something that was honest as well as needed to be done.

My mortality; whether I live or die, is not why I thought of getting married at all because being married to Yetunde is more about the

My family life is not a coping mechanism for any kind of hole that I have in my heart. time we’ve spent together not the time I would not be here with her. My mortality has never been the reason why I did that. I think that’s a more appropriate answer because I thought you said morality.

There are conflicting reports on how young you were when you lost your mother, but did her loss influence your decision to start your family?

I’m not sure why the internet says I lost my mum when I was 3 in actual fact I was 24 going on 25 when she passed away. I wasn’t that young per say back then but I guess, compared to now, yes. However, that has never been a compulsion, you know. My family life is not a coping mechanism for any kind of hole that I have in my heart.

My family, like I have said before, is honest and practical; needed for me, not any other abstract, emotional or spiritual reason.

You are surrounded by a lot of women - your wife and your daughter do they influence your music? If they do, how?

Yes my family has a huge influence in my music. First, I do it as much for myself as I do it for my daughter.

What kind of Nigeria are you hoping for your daughter to inherit?

A Nigeria where she can be free to speak. A Nigeria where she can get a proper education not just education but to be taught the right thing about the history of her land and a Nigeria where we have steady power supply, water; in essence, a Nigeria with no corruption, oppression and greed; a Nigeria with a good working system.

What are some of the values from your childhood that you definitely want to pass on to Adara?

The ability to express myself is foundational to being a healthy balanced human adult. For me the one thing I don’t take away is her ability to express what she is feeling, how she is feeling it and why she is feeling it.

Are there some things from your childhood that you don’t want her to experience?

Definitely. You know Kalakuta was very violent- not internally- but because we were always attacked. Growing as a child, I saw a lot of blood, people dying and getting hurt; a lot of that. I don’t want her to grow up and see people getting shot, in her own house.

Seun now that you are a “family man” do you think that would affect the way you speak out against bad governance and oppression?

I have always been a family man all my life, and it is actually the fact that I have a kid that has made me more deliberate in my actions towards the liberation of my people.

Many people would say the way to a man’s heart is his belly. Seun are you down with the Chef Yeide “Mede mede” or are you are a more traditional palette guy?

When it comes to food; my range of food is quite wide. You know, I eat almost everything.

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PREVIEW EDITION • DECEMBER 2020

COVER YEIDE...

Watching Chef Yeide as she gets dressed for the photo shoot, laying out her clothes, one can’t help but feel her playful nature as well as that almost schoolgirlish energy as her eyes light up when Seun’s name is mentioned. I select a leopard print playsuit to which she excitedly shares how Seun picked it out and bought it as well as a stunning collection of Swarovski and delicate diamond jewelry. I ask her if they are all gifts from him and she shyly nods before throwing back her head and laughing about how she has nowhere to wear all these gorgeous trinkets. As the final touches of her makeup are being done, she’s barking out orders for restaurant orders coming in as well catering jobs for the following day. Adara her daughter walks in and compliments her mum before twirling right out back to her father’s room. You can see the palpable love and protection bursting out of her ample chest as she takes in her blessings in human form and I’m immediately in awe of her small frame but from which this mighty energy is wielded.

Soft spoken, with the most gorgeous smile, it is easy to understand how she captured the restless heart of Seun Kuti but perhaps more importantly, how she has become the woman she is now.

Internet legend has it that Yeide has a background in music and theatre arts, is that connected to how you both met?

Yes, it is connected to how we met. Precisely, music was the platform through which we met.

Yeide, tell us a bit about your family background and what growing up was like for you?

I’m the first child of my parents, the only daughter from my mom. I grew up with my grandmother. She was versatile, resourceful and engaged in various forms of businesses. Everything she did, she made sure I had an input; this included cooking and consequently paved way for my culinary desires.

2020 has been a challenging year that’s had people questioning their mortality.

Did this in anyway affect both your decisions to transit from cohabiting and coparenting to finally tying the knot after 15 years or was it already on the cards for this year?

I will say for us, 2020 even brought us closer. There was never a time we questioned ourselves. Infact it manifested itself as the time in our lives that we spent together without daddy actually traveling for work. To us, we have been married for a while so doing a marriage ceremony was just our way of involving the government as that’s the only way people would recognize our union.

You’re not just lovers turned husband and wife but you’ve been parents for years now... What has that been like for you both? What educational and cultural influences are important to teach young Adara?

Teaching her to know her back ground and history is the first important influence.

It’s been less than a month since you both made it official but has anything actually changed in your lives?

It’s been over a month actually and nothing has changed.

What would you describe as the lowest point in your relationship?

When we are away from each other for a long period of time but when I went to France to have our baby and when I left for the UK with our daughter to study was especially brutal.

As far as “relationship goals” are concerned, is there any couple in history that you admire or aspire to be like?

None. We are just us.

Seun is the unconventional revolutionary, who is not afraid to speak out. Yeide, was this a problem with your friends and family when the relationship first began and if it was, how did you navigate through it?

Not at all, it was not a problem.

Yeide, you’re Cordon Bleu trained but very ethnic and dare we say Afro inclined. How do you fuse both worlds into the heart of your home cooking?

I’m very lucky to have my family; they are open to eating anything and everything. We even come up with recipes together. They make home cooking super easy and creative with their open pallets to trying anything at all. So it is safe it say that my family makes it very easy for me to be able to fuse both worlds.

You both just enjoyed a “honaycation” (honeymoon-stay-vacation). Without covid restrictions and the global pandemic, where would you have loved to go? And for a long standing couple like yourselves, what then was the best part of your getaway?

If you are referring to the video I posted, that’s actually just a day we decided to sleep out. If I were to go on a honeymoon, I would have actually loved to travel to either Egypt, the Caribbeans or Maldives or all three of them. Make it seem like a tour honeymoon , more like a “tourneymoon”. The more places, the merrier!

You both made your acting debut in Kunle Afolayan’s movie, Citation (to be fair Chef Yeide it looked like you were trying to not be seen!) And yes, there’s a fantastic concert scene where Seun gives a great performance but I think we all want to know if the cake presented in another scene to lead actor, Moremi (Temi Otedola) was made by Chef Yeide?

Yes I was trying to not be seen. It was a coincidence that I came with him on the trip and happened to be there at the time of the shoot so I gave a hand. That was all. no, I didn’t make the cake.

Follow us on Instagram @TheWillDowntown to see the full exhibition of photos shot by Rachel Seidu and catch The Kuti’s on our #DowntimeWithDowntown video interview.

Creative Direction & Styling by Latasha Ngwube & Chisom Njoku; Shoot Assistant: Ogala Osoka

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PREVIEW EDITION • DECEMBER 2020

THE SCENE DOWNTOWN

The Grand Launch of Nectar Beauty Hub

G

ood news for beauty lovers, skin-care aficionados and make-up enthusiasts all over, Nectar Beauty Hub, the next-level beauty retail store, has opened its stores to the public.

The event was hosted and attended by celebrities, lifestyle and beauty leaders like Mo Abudu, Dr Vivian Oputa and Linda Edozien to mention a few. Founded by Beatrice Eneh, the Nectar Beauty Hub is strategically positioned across Lagos with branches in Lekki, Ikeja, Surulere, Lagos Island and Trade Fair in order to meet customer demands.

The occasion opened with prayers by Monsignor Paschal Nwazeapu – the Dean of Lekki for the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, after which the ribbon was cut and the hub was declared open by Mrs Chioma Ekeh- CEO Technology Distributors. Guests were treated to a relaxing, educative and empowering atmosphere while having wines and canapés and taking advantage of the special discounts available till the year’s end. CEO of Today’s Woman, Adesuwa Onyenokwe and top designer Lanre Dasilva Ajayi were among the speakers at the event.

Lanre Dasilva Ajayi

Uti Nwachukwu & Mo Abudu

Joyce Jacob Anumudu & Beatrice Eneh

Uriel Oputa

Adesuwa Onyenokwe

Olanike Idowu

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Vivan Oputa

Chioma ‘Chiguri’Omeruah

Nkem Ajoku, Obi Eneh & Kene Mkparu

PREVIEW EDITION • DECEMBER 2020

THE SCENE DOWNTOWN

The New Normal Movie Premiere

BY OGALA OSOKA

Enado Odigie

Teni Olatoni & Denrele Edun

Tunde Babalola

Charles O’Tudor

Kehinde Bankole

Lanre & Modupe Ogunlesi

N

ollywood shows no signs of slowing down as Teniola Olatoni’s new comedy drama, The New Normal recently premiered to a select audience at Adam and Eve Homeware store, GRA Ikeja, Lagos. The red carpet hosted by Denrele Edun, featured celebrities like Kehinde Bankole, Ireti Doyle and more. Guests enjoyed canapés, cocktails, photographs and sparkly conversations before the movie kicked off.

The New Normal revolves around the lives of four couples and a single friend as they navigate individual and collective issues of discrimination, misogyny, addiction, mental health and infertility while trying their best to keep up appearances with often hilarious results. Starring Richard Mofe Damijo, Bimbo Akintola, Mercy Johnson and written by Tunde Babalola, the movie has already bagged some international awards including the Best International Narrative at the annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Jury Awards, and the award for Best African Female Filmmaker at the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF).

Nike Ogunlesi

Tobi Olanihun (center) and the WOW Connect crew

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PREVIEW EDITION • DECEMBER 2020

SÓRÓSOKE DOWNTOWN

BY BUCHI PANAMA Born in Lagos to an Edo mother and a Ghanaian father, Rachel Seidu, 23, is the brilliant young photographer behind the powerful images of Downtown’s cover stars Seun and Yeide Kuti. She attended Principal Model College and is currently a Fine and Applied Arts Education undergraduate at the University of Benin (UNIBEN).

Tell us a bit about yourself...

My name is Rachel Seidu, I’m a visual artist and storyteller using the photography medium to tell my stories. I major in street/ documentary and portraits.

How did you get into photography?

As a kid, photography made me happy- making toy cameras with bits of torn cartons or using people’s phones to take pictures of them as well. Getting older, I started using my Tecno mobile phone to pursue my interests until I met ace photographer August Udoh. I showed him my work, he gave me a few tips and also invited me to his studio. I learnt most of what I know watching August. I was inspired by him and I knew if he could do it I could too.

Who have you shot for?

I have worked with Okay Africa, Rees Africa and also a number of personal projects but this is the first time my work will be published in print! Hurrah Downtown!

When you aren’t taking striking pictures what are you doing?

When I’m not taking pictures I’m scouring the internet, researching stuff, hanging out with friends or sleeping.

How has the ASUU strike affected you?

It’s been the best time of my life! Things have changed in the most unexpected ways for me this few months as I got a job that paid enough to finally get a camera... for the first time in my life I own a camera! I’d hoped to have saved enough by 2022 but I purchased it in May. I have created personal projects, worked for a number of clients, gone on an art residency program and exhibited my work thrice. I’m all the way up!

Describe your personal style?

Artsy and aesthetics.

What inspires your creative process?

I try my best to be in the photograph and so if I’m trying to portray love I immerse myself in thoughts about love. I become the image, i don’t know how to explain this but I make sure all of my work contains a part of me.

How do you fuse your creative direction and POV with your subject’s ideas?

After they share their ideas with me, I observe the subject to catch glimpses of their personality. So regardless of their brief I find ways to ensure the photographs tell a truth of who they really are, no pretense whatsoever.

Who are some your photography influences?

Yagazie Emezi, I loveeeee her. Kamnelechukwu is another photographer I admire. August Udoh of course...he’s one of the greatest influence in my work.

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RACHEL SEIDU

Instagram or Twitter?

Twitter!!

What are the challenges of a female photographer in Lagos?

People doubt my skill till they see my work lol.

What are your listening to right now?

Amaarae’s album!! I can’t get enough of her. I’m enjoying the Cavemen too!

PREVIEW EDITION • DECEMBER 2020

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PREVIEW EDITION • DECEMBER 2020

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