THEWILL DOWNTOWN APR 24, 2022 EDITION

VOL 2 NO.17 • APRIL 24 - APRIL 30, 2022

To Your Ears, And The World Beyond

BNXN

The Artist Formerly Known As Buju

VOL 2 NO.17 • APRIL 24 - APRIL 30, 2022

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THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

EDITOR’S NOTE

VOL 2 NO.17 • APRIL 24 - APRIL 30, 2022

8

CONTENTS

Mai Atafo

Onah Nwachukwu

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

COVER TO YOUR EARS, AND THE WORLD BEYOND BNXN THE ARTIST FORMERLY KNOWN AS BUJU

T

he NFT community is rapidly growing and has gotten to a point where we can no longer ignore it. Young creatives have tapped into this new financial freedom, and are making a killing selling their work as NFT. About a month ago, a video of a young National Youth Corper who photographed an old male drummer and sold it as NFT, surfaced, with the old drummer holding hundreds of thousands of naira- half the proceeds from the sale of his image.

Our cover personality this week knows how important NFT is. BNXN, formerly known as Buju, has his image as NFT, and let’s just say that it’s worth more than you can imagine. For the Gen Z artist dubbed ‘the king of features,’ it took a while before he could find his footing in the world of music. Although he was always talented, he didn’t have confidence in himself until much later. Read all about his journey, from working in the IT industry (I guess this helped him understand how to merge his art with technology in NFT) to being the most sought-after feature artist.

We welcomed a new season in the world of fashion a few weeks ago, and so the fashion pages feature a few items that every fashionista ought to have in her wardrobe.

I came across an old clip from the popular ‘90s series, Sex And The City, and it had me wondering if our Downtown Confidential writer had experienced the issue of funky scents. From there came inspiration for the article, 'What’s Your Flavour?'

The AMVCA is fast approaching, so we thought to profile a few of the nominees we predict will take home the award.

Don’t miss the beauty page- this week, we talk about essential oils that put a glow on your skin. And then, our movie review guy gives his take on Netflix's latest hit, Man of God( which I totally love), and Sonic The Hedgehog 2. I’ve never been a fan of Sonic, but after this review, I’m definitely looking forward to seeing it.

Until next week, enjoy your read.

Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa

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REVIEW SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2

04-05 FASHION JUST IN, THE NEW SEASON'S FASHION LIST

14-15 FEATURE AND THE AMVCA GOES TO… PREDICTING THE BIG WINNERS...

Stylist: Providence Ozichukwu Ezeonye @wear.it.like.ozic White T-Shirt: Bnxn’s Wardrobe Creative Direction: Tilewa Kazeem @tillyofourtime

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DOWNTOWN ZODIAC EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TAURIANS

07

DOWNTOWN CONFIDENTIAL WHAT'S YOUR FLAVOUR?

11

HEALTH FIGHT AGAINST MALARIA WITH THESE 5 EASY STEPS

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

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BEAUTY 8 BEST ESSENTIAL OILS FOR NATURAL GLOWING SKIN

WHAT YOU SAID INSTAGRAM @thisisdmj

How Timely

@balogun256

- 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.

@shollycutie

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FASHION

JUST IN,

THE NEW SEASON'S FASHION LIST I

BY ABDUL AUWAL

t's spring in the world of fashion, and it happens to be one of our favourite seasons since it brings with it pastels, beautiful designs, and billowy fabrics. Although we are always on the lookout for the hottest new products that DOWNTOWN readers should know about, we also pick up a few things for ourselves. And because it's a new season, we are all about statement sneakers and everyday outfits. If you've ever wondered what fashion aficionados yearn about regularly, now is your chance to find out. Here is a list of new items that should make it into your shopping catalogue this season.

Idia Aisien

Stretch Crepe Cut-Out Dress PROENZA SCHOULER Wide-Leg Trousers AMIRI PAGE 4

Studded-Strap Woven Basket Bag VALENTINO

VOL 2 NO.17 • APRIL 24 - APRIL 30, 2022

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FASHION

Feather Heels MALONE SOULIERS X BRIDGERTON

Everyday Necklace MEJUIRI X JENNA LYONS

Anderson Bumper Bag JW

Square Patch Dress FIA

Tailored Pant Suit TAGLIATORE Printed Ribbed Stretch-Cotton Jersey Maxi Dress LOEWE

Transparent-Frame Glasses BALENCIAGA

Structured Jacket and Short Set FIA Multicolor Sneakers LOEWE

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DOWNTOWN ZODIAC

Everything You Need To Know About

TAURIANS

BY IDOWU LAMI

Jidenna Born May 4th

ELEMENT: EARTH SYMBOL: BULL DATE: APRIL 20 - MAY 20 IMAGE FROM AMAZON.COM

S

tubborn, lazy, and laid back, are some of the traits often associated with Taurus. Sure, they can come off as such at times, but their actions are actually guided by a more intellectual and analytical character than is commonly attributed to them. Taureans aren't hesitant to roll up their sleeves and put in long hours to reap the benefits of their hard labour. They're ambitious, determined, and tenacious, and they feel most secure when they deposit money into a savings account regularly. Taurus, owing to its ruling planet Venus, appreciates and engages in all things artistic and romantic. Tauruses are pleasure-seekers. They're known for their long-winded, foreplay-filled lovemaking. They are known for setting the scene with soft kisses, handholding, and flirty glances across the room, all of which lead to long-lasting, attentive

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lovemaking. Outside of the bedroom, though, the bull's game plan is to take their time. They have a reputation for having a long fuse, even when angry.

Any physical manifestation of comfort and luxury enchants these cosmic bulls. Pleasure is a must for epicurean Taureans, and they are happiest when they are indulged.

Taurus' deliberate modus operandi stems from their hardheadedness and slowness to act on almost anything. They may come out as unadventurous, dogmatic, or even closed-minded as a result of their set, willful worldview. They'll make their case, then wiggle their way out of seeing the opposing viewpoint. Taureans know how to play the long game in both professional and love interests. These cosmic oxen know how to have a good time, which makes them excellent company - whether in love or friendship. They enjoy catching admiring gazes

Genevieve Nnaji Born May 3rd

and are skilled flirts. They are earthy and sensual, and they take great satisfaction in satisfying all of the senses. If they are concerned that they will not have enough time to do it properly, they may decide to skip or postpone a between-the-sheets session. A Taurus is generally attracted to a Virgo who is similarly realistic and thoughtful, a Cancer who is home-loving and money-conscious, or a Capricorn who is hardworking and tradition-minded. Taurus and Scorpio, on the other hand, are frequently drawn together by their need to form a strong, unbreakable emotional and physical commitment. However, because they are both stubborn and fixated, they may be unable to compromise and find common ground, which is a death sentence for any partnership. Notable bearers of this zodiac include Genevieve Nnaji, Jidenna, Adele, Dwayne Johnson, Kizz Daniel, and Queen Elizabeth II.

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DOWNTOWN CONFIDENTIAL

What's Your

FLAVOUR? O

ver 10% of what we know about sex as humans and what lies behind its many doors is based on what we learnt from our peers and pop culture. Not many people, particularly men, educate themselves about sex.

For some reason, there's a widely held belief that men are supposed to be sexually all-knowing, and that as a woman, you should just lay back and take it how it is served. But the thing about widely held notions is that not all hold water.

Another myth that fits the bill is that "eating pineapple sweetens the pot.” At some point, across both genders, you've stumbled upon this hearsay disguised as prescribed medical advice.

My first encounter with it occurred when a close male friend of mine mentioned that he was with a girl whose vagina smelled like fish when he went down on her. "Perhaps she had way too much fish," he politely suggested. "Perhaps I'll have some pineapples for her next time." It sweetens and fragrances her juices," he added. It kind of stuck with me after that day. A little heads up, if it smells "fishy" or otherwise unpleasant, that can hint at bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, or some other health issue. Sadly, pineapples aren't the only fruits, food, or vegetables to be unfairly pinned as vaginal sweeteners.

The likes of garlic, fish, asparagus, and onions, are some other examples.

Dorian's thoughts were bedeviled by worry, among other things, as he sat, enjoying the cool air in his apartment. "You should get yourself checked out, D. I apologize for gagging, but your

PHOTO BY MIKDAM FROM GETTY

BY TILEWA KAZEEM sperm smelt like fish," read the notification from his most recent sneaky link. This wasn't his first encounter with STIs; his refusal to wear protection had resulted in a slew of battle scars, including scabies, gonorrhoea, and the likes. Whenever the subject of protection came up, his usual defence was "e no dey sweet."

D's obsession with sweetness was understandable; he was what the ladies called a sweet boy, with chiselled abs, luscious beards, a towering 6'2 with chocolate skin tone, and let’s not forget his meaty penis that made the ladies moan lewdly. Have you ever seen someone lick candy out of its wrapper?

It just wouldn't have the same effect. He was so set in his ways that he refused to be held back by latex. His phallus was far too girthy to be contained within the confines of a sheath. The night in question began similarly to others that had come before it. An all-expense-paid dinner at one of Lagos' prestigious high-end restaurants, followed by a leisurely drive back to his apartment in his Mercedes-Benz GLE. His hand spent the entirety of the ride on her lap and she couldn’t hide her excitement.

The plethora of videos she made attested to the fact that she had fallen for the lifestyle and that he had her exactly where he wanted her.

Back at his place, they couldn't get their hands off each other, Dorian had lightly smacked her derriere just as he held the door for her and her cheeky smile was all the response he needed to proceed.

Soon after that, they couldn't stop exploring their bodies and kissing.

She pushed him towards the bed, slowly removing his jeans and admiring his bent penis before putting it in her mouth. Her goal

was to get him to the climax, and she was dead set on doing it.

The closer he came, the more her head shook back and forth.

His toes curled, his torso curved, and his eyes rolled back into his head.

"What is this, Dorian?" She yelled angrily as she dashed to the restroom. He leaned forward and gazed at her, puzzled and perplexed, as she puked into the sink. He looks toward his phallus to the awful smell of yellowish semen oozing out. Outraged and infuriated, she grabbed her stuff and hurried out faster than a cat hosed with water. He didn't seem to care; he just lay back down and felt the cool air from the air conditioning across his face.

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VOL 2 NO.17 • APRIL 24 - APRIL 30, 2022

COVER To Your Ears, And The World Beyond

BNXN

The Artist Formerly Known As Buju

Stylist: Providence Ozichukwu Ezeonye @wear.it.like.ozic White T-Shirt: Bnxn’s Wardrobe Creative Direction: Tilewa Kazeem @tillyofourtime

"L

et's all go to OX and have steak!" was the last thing I expected to hear as I and a few members of Daniel Benson's team entered the studio, which is located in the Lekki axis of Lagos. He nodded to acknowledge our presence as we entered, but not before the Babcock University graduate sang his final ad-libs into the wellplaced microphone in front of him.

However, walking in on "BNXN" (pronounced Benson) in the middle of a session at what was, at the time,

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the last embers of the day wasn't on the cards.

It all started as my Uber sped off, from Oniru, Lagos to an undisclosed location. On the drive there, the radio blared Finesse, one of the biggest songs out of the country featuring BNXN. From how well the driver chased after each lyric word for word, unhurriedly as he waded through the bustling Lekki traffic, what might have felt like an insurmountable rise to fame at some point in BNXN’s career was now a thing of the past –he now has a fan in everybody–. A few cars ahead in a blue Mercedes-Benz SUV, was a mix of his squad and a few privileged holders of his HeadsbyBNXN NFT. Another car followed closely after, hauling a bright young artist and his team, hoping to impress "the feature king" (as he's been

dubbed by his ardent fans) enough to join him on the track. BNXN appearing on tracks and adding the oomph that was previously absent was one of the things he did effectively. His consistent dominance on the majority of the country's top music charts attests to this, and they hoped to have a taste of it. The two cars had driven in before the car I was in turned into the all-toofamiliar gated residence where we met. I introduced myself as Tilewa Kazeem from DOWNTOWN and he was quick to respond with an apology with the scheduling hiccups.

The rest of that day would unravel at an opulent restaurant where we’d start a two-day discussion about his career, his reasons for developing his NFTs, the Grammys, and much more.

We were all standing about while the waiters shuffled tables and chairs to make room for everyone. As they run around to take our orders, there's a sense of familiarity in the air;

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COVER everyone greets him and at some point later that night, someone from the restaurant management came to acknowledge him. That night, he had his usual Jollof rice and T-bone steak. "Order whatever you want, don't worry about it," he said before returning to his conversation with his manager. I imagined what it was like for him at the start as I saw him continuously tweak his bulky characteristic dreads in an attempt to scratch them. A young boy who grew up in Gbagada, Lagos, before moving to Mowe, Ogun State. Before headlining his first show in 2021, signing a record deal and then leaving Spaceship and certainly before the money, which he claims to now have plenty of. And when I asked him if he too was a product of the church choir he responded by saying, “The choir was always there for me. I was this young boy who fell in love with music mainly because I enjoyed the feeling of it and my dad used to keep CDs ranging from D’banj, Olu Maintain, 9ice, Tuface, Lucky Dube, Buju Banton, etc, everybody. So it was a no-brainer because I was also always glued to the TV 24/7 not just watching cartoons, but I loved music videos. I just used to love watching them, especially D’banj’s Why Me and Tongolo. So I went from that to writing rhymes in JS1; putting words together, miming, and all of that stuff. Then, I joined the choir at the age of 11 as soon as I got into high school. I remember this time when they told us to come to the cultural group. They asked if I had a talent and I started rapping. But I was always mumble rap. It wasn't the best lyrics, but it was doing it for a lot of people. I was the best rapper at the school.” To think of him as a rapper in his earlier life wasn't entirely strange. He added “After that, I changed schools and started at the secondary school level actively singing in the school choir. I was singing in tenor and understanding the concepts of music in terms of vocal arrangement and knowing my voice” But for the young Daniel Benson back then, despite being in the choir, performing solo at valedictory services, and coming out on top in rap battles, he never thought music was what he was going to do on a long-term basis. As a matter of fact, he stopped rapping entirely when he got into the University. “When I got into the University I stopped…I stopped rapping. Mainly because tons of people were better than I was. It was beyond being insecure and more about knowing what was going around. People were rapping with words I've never heard before.”

Realizing this, for him, concentrating on his studies seemed like the safest bet. He would go down this route until his third year while in his mandatory IT program. It had dawned on him that in the next year he’d be done with University

Alté sort of bridged that gap. It wasn't like they were trying to break into the mainstream, they were just doing their own thing...They were trying to make their own music that wasn't necessarily Nigerian music."

and he was yet to develop a passion for anything aside from jamming to Burna Boy. He wanted more from this path he had chosen. Having studied Computer Technology, he was expecting more than being banished to a corner table working from morning till night. “I was working sort of as a secretary; I had a laptop, there was Wifi, I had to dress up in a suit and tie and sit down and work on Excel morning till the night. I studied computer technology so I was expecting to learn tech skills; programming, UI/UX, and whatnot but that didn't happen. Instead, I was running office errands, printing, photocopying, and all of that.” Taking all of those into account he knew he had to make use of the time he had left and then he discovered SoundCloud.

“SoundCloud was the hope for a lot of people. I go on SoundCloud and I realize there are people recording music and putting it out regardless of not having a fanbase but they had a fanbase. This was like in 2017.” SoundCloud was the birthplace of the now-glamorised Alté scene. The music streaming platform enabled its users to upload, promote, and share music. It gave rise to several names like Odunsi, Nonso Amadi, Santi, and Fashina who were, according to him, the faces of the Alté clan at the time. “Alté sort of bridged that gap. It wasn't like they were trying to break into the mainstream, they were just doing their own thing. They were the sort of people in high school that would say I don't listen to Nigerian music.

They were trying to make their own music that wasn't necessarily Nigerian music.” He listened and knew he could do this except, with his own added flair and je ne sais quoi.

Despite having great things to say about the alté community, BNXN still believes his “music daddy” and former label boss, Burna Boy, pioneered the sound. After coming off the high of his 2019 track, Spiritual which featured Zlatan Ibile, BNXN released a two-track project titled To Your Ears. L’enu however, was the standout track of the project and the sound would go on to infiltrate and take over the airwaves and become a crowd favourite. It also happened to be Burna’s favourite track at that time. The Grammy winner would later go on to join him

on a remix to it a year later. Speaking on how Burna ever came into the picture he said “L’enu was crazy! If you had an ear for good music, you'd understand why Burna loved L’enu. It was a great song. Apparently, at the time, Burna had been looking for me but I didn't know because my phone was bad at the time so reaching out to me was crazy. After I repaired my phone, a number called and was like ‘Burna Boy wants to see you…’ but I hung up on the number because what kind of play is that? Later my friend called me up and told me Burna’s team was looking for me but after that time I didn't hear back from them. A few days later the same unknown number called me again and said, ‘this is the last time I'm going to call you. Burna wants to see you.’ I ask where; they gimme the location and I go there. I'm just there chilling in the parlour when he just casually walks in with a towel around his waist and asks who be the Buju guy?” You can tell that the story still amuses him as he slightly lets out a soft laugh before resuming. “E first turn my head because I was dying. I was in-between screaming and keeping my composure and my guy was like, that's him and he said ‘oh, I like your music.’ and it was as if I was floating. “Burna had liked the song so much that he made them play it in the club four times. So he asked if he wanted us to work on more stuff or if he should jump on L’enu remix. I chose the remix but he still wanted us to work on more stuff.”

In 2020, the video to L’enu remix dropped and it announced BNXN becoming a signee under Spaceship records. For most upcoming artists, a record deal under what was one of the biggest record labels in the country was a dream come true.

Getting the mentorship under someone of Burna's stature was more than lucky and BNXN had gone past the front door, he was now a member of the family “I was signed the same day I met Burna Boy. He

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COVER these selected few that are keen on knowing me on a deeper level, he thinks it's the best way to reward them.

said he wanted to sign me and I was looking forward to the mentorship because that was all that mattered to me and I can say I got it to the full extent.” But after signing, BNXN sort of blended into the furniture. His fans begin to fear the worst.

Was this another case of label stuffing the growth of a new signee? Where was BNXN and why hadn't he dropped anything in over 6 months of signing with the Spaceship collective? In the fourth quarter of the same year, news broke that BNXN had left the record label “I left to find a way for myself. For the fans leaving felt like the worst decision for me meanwhile, it's the best decision. Sometimes everyone just has to find their path, it might seem difficult but once you do it's a no going back thing.

You'd always be grateful that you took the leap of faith.”

Across from me, at the edge of the table, were two holders of his NFTs; one was clearly star-struck and the other was in awe but showed more composure, as he basked in the moment.

When I first heard of the project through the grapevine, I wondered why someone who's just finding his footing in what can be a whirlwind of an industry delving into the murky waters of tech and NFTs. He might have studied and graduated with a degree in computer technology but he knew nothing about the metaverse and non-fungible tokens. How then did the idea come about and why? “The main reason why we started was to bridge the gap between my fans and me. To let them get a deeper feel as to my growth and success. I owe everything to my fans so it's the reason why I decided to do this in the first place. Asides from access to several shows, I made it possible that if you're the holder of the head, you can attend any show in Lagos, Nigeria, and even beyond. So far you have the head you can just tell the community this is the show I want to go for and it would be done for you. There's this active buzz that we know there's a bunch of people keying into what we are doing. Besides that, I also want to give my fans a percentage off royalties of music NFTs I'm going to be selling subsequently. At the end of the day, it's just a way for the fans to gain back and it would make everything more meaningful.”

He went further to explain that he understands that not too many people like people being in their personal space but for

PAGE 10

I knew I'd have a lot going on the next day and I needed plenty of rest to tackle everything I'd planned, so I shared the vision for the shoot with BNXN, said my goodbyes to everyone, packed my meal in a to-go bag, and went home to be ready for the rescheduled shoot. The potential of crap hitting the fan wasn't lost on anyone, especially because canceling and rescheduling was like five and six to artists. BNXN is often described by critics as rash and proud. Even before he rose to stardom, he had a track record of taking to social media and dragging already established artists. With the thought of how best to introduce this question to him occupying my mind, I got the call that he was here, and soon after the stylist showed up too. He turned up in an all-white Ashluxe T-shirt and wine corduroy cargo pants, all of which, when paired correctly, worked well with the idea for the shoot. Outfit after outfit, pose after pose, he was loved by the camera and the camera had a mutual feeling. Getting him model poses was the easiest part of the shoot because they came effortlessly to him. Once the shoot was over, we hopped in his car and he answered my question by saying “When you don't have money a lot of things run through your mind; positive, negative, and stupid. You're thinking of a way to get out of that situation and at the same time, you're thinking about the worst way to get out of that situation. Asides from that, everything I tweeted or said years ago still falls back to; number one, me having an opinion of my own. Number two, me not caring about one sport. Now the opinion might not necessarily make sense but it's good to have your own opinion unless you're going to be thrown around by anything. And it's also important to know how to relay your statements or information without dragging anybody or insulting anyone. Things these days teach me lessons and nothing more. In all those situations I've learnt from them and now I'm aware of where I was off and where I was very okay. So it's the balance in-between.” Now, Benson can necessarily be referred to as a newcomer in the industry but his discography precedes that label.

Having worked with several of the country's biggest names, it was only right to ask him how he felt not to be chummy with those artists he dissed now that he was a big shot and “The only person that has ever spoken about it was Timaya. What was crazy was the way we had the conversation, it was so cute. Timaya was like ‘I didn't want to come and see him.’ and I responded by saying ‘ahan, my G why wouldn't

I want to come and see you, why you dey whine me?’ Then he said, no do like say we no see that thing wey you post but dey come.” He added by saying “It's human to have a diverse opinion from the next man.

It is now different when you get to get to experience who they are outside of what they do on a personal level. I say it every time you can't compare the music Wiz is making right now to what he made before in terms of lyrics, production, and quality.

Take it to the bank any day. A lot of things have evolved.”

Everything leading up to the 64th Grammy Awards proved to be a monumental year for Afrobeats and Wizkid when his fourth studio album Made In Lagos got nominated in the Best Global Music Album category and Essence Featuring Tems and Justin Bieber, a song off the deluxe version of the album got nominated for Best Global Music Performance. If he had won the latter BNXN would also get a gramophone to his name for his work on Mood but he didn't despite all the signs that point to a victory for him. I made sure to ask him about his relationship with Wizkid, not winning the Grammys, and how personal he took Wizkid's loss. “Wiz was about to indirectly give me my first Grammy and even though it came home to Africa, I feel Essence should have won in its category. But it still kind of came home through Angélique Kidjo. I was really bummed about it because it would have really solidified my year. I mean, the grind still goes on but it would have ticked a box in my head.” He referenced the loss when the award wasn't given to Burna in 2020 for African Giant.

As they drove off, I couldn't help but look back on 2018 memory lane; the year can be described as a watershed moment for Nigeria, its music scene, and the now widely recognized genre of Afrobeats.

Damini Ogulu, better known by his stage name Burna Boy, achieved unprecedented success following the release of his album Outside, which featured hit singles such as Ye and Heavens Gate. Wizkid, another of Nigeria's musical heavyweight, had a huge hit with the catchy and bouncy Soco, which helped to make the year even more unforgettable. While the nation's bigwigs preached the gospel of the country's embarrassment of riches, one Buju TYE – an acronym for 'Beauty Underneath Just Understood To Your Ears'– now known as BNXN, was honing his unique sound. In less than three years, the country would come to love and appreciate the music.

Wiz was about to indirectly give me my first Grammy and even though it came home to Africa, I feel Essence should have won in its category. But it still kind of came home through Angélique Kidjo."

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HEALTH IMAGE FROM GRAPHICS PIC

Fight Against Malaria With These 5 Easy Steps

BY IDOWU LAMI

S

ince the year 2000, the world has made remarkable progress in saving millions of lives from malaria, and we commemorate World Malaria Day on April 25th each year. The importance of this day is not just to recognize how far we've come, but also to remind us that, despite our progress, we still need to unite and battle malaria within a generation, and to

Invest in Mosquito Repellents Other types of repellents, in addition to those applied directly to the skin, can protect you from pesky malaria-causing bugs. To help repel mosquitoes, treat your clothing, purchase insecticides, or burn mosquito coils in your living environment. Treated nets are also a better option for keeping you and your loved ones safe when you're all sound asleep.

push leaders to do the same to get us closer to a malaria-free world. The WHO African Region continues to bear an outsized share of the global malaria burden. In 2020, the Region had 95 percent of all malaria cases and 96 percent of all malaria deaths. Approximately 80 percent of all malaria deaths in the Region occurred in children under the age of five. Nigeria (31.9 percent),

Know The Signs You might think that because you don't hear them buzzing around you're safe. Sorry to burst your bubble, but the female anopheles mosquito is the mistress of stealth.

You barely even know you've been bitten; all you'll see is a little swelling. That's why it is very important to diagnose malaria as soon as possible. If you develop flu-like symptoms such as a headache, fever, chills, and joint and muscle problems within three months of returning from a malaria area, tell your doctor.

the Democratic Republic of Congo (13.2 percent), the United Republic of Tanzania (4.1 percent), and Mozambique (4.1 percent) were the four African countries that accounted for slightly over half of all malaria deaths globally (3.8 percent ) This isn't a discussion to be taken lightly and in light of that, here are five ways you can stop the spread of malaria in your home and protect your loved ones.

Spread The Word You've gotten rid of malaria in your house and everyone is safe. But the work isn't done yet. You should go above and beyond in providing malaria prevention for other families. You can donate to several malaria relief organizations to help keep the disease from spreading to other families.

IMAGE FROM FREEPIK

ILLUSTRATION FROM PNGTREE

IMAGE FROM PINTEREST

Clear Your Gutters Use The Right Treatment Maybe you didn't catch the symptoms and you're now feeling under the weather, there are quite a few treatments you could take but not without a medical practitioner's advice.

Mosquitoes thrive in areas with standing water. If your neighborhood's drainage systems aren't well-maintained and the flow of water is restricted, there will be water stagnation, which will lead to mosquito breeding and the risk of malaria. So clear out your drainage system to reduce the risk.

PILLS BY TATJANA ZLATKOVIC

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VOL 2 NO.17 • APRIL 24 - APRIL 30, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

IMAGE BY MADELEIN STEINBACH GETTY IMAGES

BEAUTY

8 BEST ESSENTIAL OILS FOR NATURAL

GLOWING SKIN

LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL

BY SOPHIA EDISI

E

ssential oils host various properties that work for your skin. They are all plant-based derivatives from herbs, tree extracts, and flowers.

Majorly used by therapists for aromatherapy purposes because of certain benefits that include hydration, plumping, brightening, treating aches, and pains, its ability to lock in moisture, condition, and strengthen skin. The clean, scented, blends of essential oils can boost your mood and promote relaxation. They are extremely concentrated, so to be used correctly it’s advisable to dilute them into milder oils, humidifiers, or skincare products. They can be the very last step of your nighttime routine, after serum and moisturiser.

SANDALWOOD ESSENTIAL OIL As you all know, a moisturiser can leave your skin looking hydrated, soft, and glowy. For skin that has lost its natural glow, due to its inability to retain moisture, you will need something to restore the moisture your skin needs and sandalwood oil does just that. The oil is a must-have for those with dry skin because it replenishes, and repairs dry, dull-looking skin, coupled with its sublime woody, sweet and earthy smell.

Sandalwood Essential Oil BIOFINEST

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Lavender

TEA TREE ESSENTIAL OIL

Tea Tree Leaves Sandalwood

Lavender oil has pain-relieving properties, making it the spa's favourites oil for body massage. With constant use of this oil, it helps combat premature aging and repairs your skin from sun damage. It has a refreshing, floral smell that oozes a feeling of calm. Its anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial qualities make it effective in treating acne.

Tea tree is a common ingredient in most skincare products. It contains antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties that are used to treat various skin concerns like burns, blisters, skin rashes, warts, cold sores, etc. This oil is also a must-have in your body care routine.

Lavender Hydrating Oil MEASURABLE DIFFERENCE

Tea Tree Oil VINEVIDA

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THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

BEAUTY

Lemon Fruit And Leaves IMAGE BY iSTOCK

LEMON ESSENTIAL OIL Lemon is one of the best skin brightening ingredients. It works as an astringent and absorbs quickly into your skin making your skin non-greasy.

It also improves your skin by reducing the appearance of large pores and acne with an added bonus of a pleasant citrus scent.

Carrot leaves

Lemon Essential Oil CoNATURAL

CARROT SEED OIL This oil is extracted from the seeds of the carrot plant daucus carota and has a sweet earthy smell. Very effective in tightening saggy skin. Having a high level of beta carotene, will lighten and brighten skin complexion while also reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

ROSEMARY ESSENTIAL OIL The nutrient present in rosemary protects skin cells from damage often caused by the sun and free radicals.

This essential oil is also very effective for skin whitening.

Regular application of rosemary oil can reduce under-eye problems such as puffiness and dark circles and it also regulates blood circulation which gives you glowing skin.

JOJOBA OIL

Rosemary

Rosemary Essential Oil VELONA

ARGAN ESSENTIAL OIL

Moroccan Argan Oil NIKS ESSENTIAL

Argan oil is used extensively for skincare products by most brands. It cleanses the skin and promotes the growth of melanin.

It enhances the natural glow of your skin and reduces blemishes, breakouts, and wrinkles.

Carrot Oil Blend URENMA NATURALS

This is a great skin conditioner and it regulates the production of sebum.

It comes highly recommended for oily skin. It hydrates, repairs, and protects your skin from skin irritants. This is the best carrier oil for essentials oils because it has no fragrance of its own.

Organic Jojoba Oil VELONA NATURALS

Argan Nuts And Leaves IMAGE FROM iSTOCK Jojoba Seed And Leaves

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FEATURE

R

AND THE AMVCA GOES TO…

Predicting The Big Winners At The 8th Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards

evered as the biggest motion picture award in Africa, the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award, AMVCA, is gearing up for the 8th edition of the award ceremony billed to hold in Lagos, Nigeria.

In a rather unexpected announcement, the award organisers announced that the 2022 edition of the award will be held for eight days, kicking off on May 7 and running until the awards gala on May 14. The itinerary includes an opening night, a runway show tagged ‘Design for the Stars’, a talent factory, a session with content creators, a Pan-African food festival, and a cultural day.

For this year's edition, there will be 33 categories of awards including a newly introduced ‘Best Online Social Content Creator’ category. A total of 12 categories will be decided by viewers’ votes while the remaining 21 will be decided based on the panels’ decisions.

As always, the AMVCA, which is returning after taking a one-year hiatus in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, gave the Nigerian film industry a healthy representation this year. Leading the charge is last year's historic movie, Amina, produced by Okechukwu Ogunjiofor; it bagged 13 nominations including the ‘Best Overall Movie’ and ‘Best Director’ to beat Ramsey Nouah’s directed Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story which got nine nominations overall. Funke Akindele’s Omo Ghetto and Nneka The Pretty Serpent got eight nominations respectively. Blockbuster movies such as Citation and Swallow were snubbed to everyone's shock, however, the biggest omission is King Of Boys II which Nigerians felt was deserving of a seat at the table.

While we wait for movie's biggest night, here is our list of predicted winners and the other nominees they are up against.

Best Actress in a Drama (Movie/ TV Series)

PUBLIC VOTING CATEGORIES

Best Actress in a Comedy (Movie/ TV Series) Best Actor in a Comedy (Movie/ TV Series) Samuel “Broda Shaggi” Perry – Dwindle Broda Shaggi, as he's fondly called, goes into a straight tussle with Deyemi Okanlawon for this one. After becoming famous for his Instagram skits where he only used to play an exaggerated and overenthusiastic thug, Perry would go on to try his hands at singing and acting in feature films. Four years in Nollywood and he has earned himself a podium finish for the first time. Can he take it all the way though? He is the funniest actor in the category and his role in Dwindle gives him a loud shout.

Other nominees

Shawn Faqua – Soole Deyemi Okanlawon – Omo Ghetto (The Saga) Gideon Okeke – Loving Rona Femi Adebayo – Progressive Tailors Club Williams Uchemba – Dear Affy Timini Egbuson – Ponzi

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Funke Akindele – Omo Ghetto (The Saga)

Best Actor in a Drama (Movie/ TV Series) Gabriel Afolayan – For Maria Ebun Pataki An actor's role is to interpret different roles that require improvisation of different emotions, and more often than not, profound sadness is more difficult to translate on-screen. Not for Gabriel Afolayan however. Despite the dare-we-say legendary career the actor has had—spanning over two decades—a win at this year's edition will be his first-ever. He's our Leonardo DiCaprio and he is more deserving this time.

Other nominees

Stan Nze – Rattlesnake Uzee Usman – Voiceless Efa Iwara – This Lady Called Life Femi Jacobs – Introducing The Kujus Eyinna Nwigwe – Dear Affy Timini Egbuson – Introducing The Kujus

Having won this same category in the 2014, 2016, 2017, and most recently 2020 editions, it is increasingly looking like this category was created for Funke Akindele. It will take a big shock if history doesn't repeat itself on this occasion.

Other nominees

Bimbo Ademoye – Breaded Life Nse Nkpe Etim – Quams Money Bisola Aiyeola – Dwindle Nancy Isime – Kambili: The Whole 30 Yards Sarah Hassan – Just In Time

Meg Otanwa – For Maria Ebun Pataki Meg Otanwa will fancy her chances of bagging a second AMVCA in this same category which she won back in 2017.

She's certainly deserving of it. Otanwa’s depiction of postpartum depression was nothing short of phenomenal. The mental condition that most Nigerians haven't exactly come to terms with, it is easy for any actor to have overacted in exaggeration. The former banker brought her role to life as though she was battling it in real life.

Other nominees

Asabe Madaki – Voiceless Osas Ighodaro – Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story Bisola Aiyeola – This Lady Called Life 2 Nancy Isime – Superstar Genoveva Umeh – A Tune Away Kehinde Bankole – Dear Affy

Best Supporting Actor (Movie/TV Series)

this edition, he's looking to get a hold on the plaque once again, howbeit this time in a supporting role.

Yemi Blaq – The New Normal

Other nominees

In the star-studded rather quiet 2020 comedy movie, The New Normal, Yemi Blaq’s performance stood out. Blaq has been nominated for a number of film awards with the most significant being Best Actor at the AMVCA for his role in the movie, My Idol. For

Bucci Franklin – Rattlesnake Adjete Anang – Gold Coast Lounge Odunlade Adekola – Jankariwo Eric Roberts – A Soldier’s Story Magaji Mijinyawa – Amina Tope Tedela – Country Hard

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Best Supporting Actress (Movie/TV Series) Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha – Omo Ghetto (The Saga) Because of its storyline as a gangster comedy film, Omo Ghetto (The Saga) featured multiple supporting casts playing sidekicks as Funke Akindele’s character's gang members. One of the characters that stood out is Chummy Choko deftly executed by Chioma Chukwuma Akpotha.

Other nominees

Bisola Aiyeola – Sugar Rush Mercy Johnson – The New Normal Clarion Chukwurah – Amina Mumbi Maina – La Femme Anjola Enado Odigie – The New Normal Omowunmi Dada – Country Hard

Best Africa Magic Original Comedy Series My Flatmates – Bright “Basketmouth” Okpocha & Solomon Adekunle My Flatmates is a situational comedy documenting the lives of four friends who share an apartment. All sorts of chaotic and hilarious things happen as they go about their daily escapades in pursuit of a better life for themselves. It has every component of an award-winning show.

Other nominees

The Johnsons – Rogers Ofime My Siblings & I – Funke Akindele Bello & JJC Skillz

Best Online Social Content Creator Multi Personality Disorder – Mr. Macaroni Known by his stage name Mr. Macaroni, Debo Adedayo is one of Nigeria's foremost comics. Although the other content creators on this list are also very talented, Mr. Macaroni’s collaborations that have seen him feature a large portion of the Nigerian entertainment industry in his short films places him firmly in the lead.

Other nominees

Nollywood Epic Love Story 1 & 2 (Parody) – Tee Kuro Kayamata – Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori Mr Funny – Oga Sabinus Road Rage – Taaooma Of Line And Layers – Jacqueline Suowari First Date-Mummy’s Boy – Edem Victor Affiah-De Ja Vu – Elozonam Ogbolu

PUBLIC VOTING CATEGORIES Best Television Series (Drama/ Comedy) Best Director (Movie) Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story – Ramsey Nouah Veteran actor and one-time DOWNTOWN cover personality, Ramsey Nouah made his directorial debut in 2019 with the film Living in Bondage: Breaking Free and has since been more involved in similar projects. In 2020, he went on to direct the Nollywood classic Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story which is a remake of the 1995 action thriller film. His pristine approach to directing which saw him win multiple awards for his work on Living in Bondage: Breaking Free is enough to help him secure another win with Rattlesnake on the big night.

Other nominees

La Femme Anjola – Mildred Okwo Amina – Izu Ojukwu Collision Course – Bolanle AustenPeters Voiceless – Robert O. Peters Light In The Dark – Ekene Som Mekwunye Namatse Wahala – Tiencepay Lawal & Hamisha Daryani Ahuja

Best Soundtrack (Movie/TV Series) Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story – Larry Gaaga Larry Ndianefo, known professionally as

The Smart Money Woman – Arese Ugwu, Isoken Ogiemwonyi, Lala Akindoju & Akintunde Marine Marinho Adaptations are not the easiest to pull off. It takes an immense amount of imagination and creative alignment to be able to bring fictional characters in novels to life on screen. And this makes it open to a lot of criticism as each reader paints a unique picture with each page they read. Based on a 2016 novel of the same name by Arese Ugwu, The Smart Money Woman did justice with the transition from print to TV, thanks to the creative direction of Bunmi Ajakaiye. It has created so much buzz with its first season that fans all over the continent have successfully forced a season two that is presently in the works.

Other nominees

The Mystic River – Rogers Ofime Rumour Has It Season 3 – Vincent Nwachukwu Little Black Book – Olawale Adetula and Lydia IdakulaSobogun My Name A-Zed – Olawale Adetula and Ijeoma Grace Agu Butuku – Mwaka Nakweti Jenifa’s Diary – Olufunke Akindele

Larry Gaaga, won this same category last edition for his work on Living in Bondage: Breaking Free soundtrack.

His work on Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story is equally as good and the 8-track album deserves something on the night.

FEATURE Best Documentary Road2Blow – Taiwo Adeyemi Road2Blow chronicles the journeys of some of Nigeria’s emerging talents who have gone through the difficult realities of becoming famous and successful in the Nigerian entertainment industry. Talent and brand manager, Taiwo Adeyemi deserves a plaque just for telling this story.d.

Other nominees

Unmasked: Leadership, Trust And The COVID-19 Pandemic In Nigeria – Femi Odugbemi This Love – Eugene Mbugua Sunset In Makoko – Allen Onyige If Objects Could Speak – Saitabao Kaiyare, Mumo Liku, Elena Schilling, Daniella Fritz, Ann Katrina Boberg Streets Of Lagos: Dear Little People – Lawrence Adejumo

Best Overall Movie Best Movie (West Africa) Breaded Life – Biodun Stephen and Tara Ajibulu Ideally, the best overall movie is supposed to be the best in its region.

However, we are tipping Breaded Life for this category just because we think it is deserving of something.

Although we have not predicted Bimbo Ademoye and Timini Egbuson to cart away the best actress and actor awards respectively, their performances in this movie were outstanding and so is the storyline.

Other nominees

Tainted Canvas – Orwi Manny Ameh Collision Course – Bolanle AustenPeters & Joseph Umoibom Amina – Okey Ogunjiofor Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story – Chris Odeh Omo Ghetto (The Saga) – Funke Akindele Bello and JJC Skillz Nneka The Pretty Serpent – Chris Odeh

Omo Ghetto (The Saga) – JJC Skillz & Funke Akindele Bello Omo Ghetto (The Saga) holds the record as the highest-grossing movie in Nollywood’s history. On paper, the sequel has all it takes to, but if there is anything we know about award shows, they most certainly have no respect for the paper, or the numbers on it. The blockbuster, produced by one of Nollywood’s finest couples, Funke Akindele and JJC Skillz was the talk of the town when it hit the cinemas in 2020.

Other nominees

Amina – Izu Ojukwu & Okey Ogunjiofor Voiceless – Robert O. Peters & Rogers Ofime Rattlesnake – Ramsey Nouah, Chris Odeh and Charles Okpaleke Collision Course – Bolanle AustenPeters Nneka The Pretty Serpent – Tosin Igho, Chris Odeh and Charles Okpaleke La Femme Anjola – Mildred Okwo & Rita Dominic Just In Time – Dolapo Adeleke & Sarah Hassan.

Other nominees

Collision Course – Tchella and Dannybeats Just In Time – Boumeester Lindsay & Kagwe Mungai Amina –Dabs Agwom Gold Coast Lounge – Pascal Aka & Raquel Light In the Dark – Awele Mekwunye & Bizzouch The White Line – Michael Pulse & Ponti Dikuua

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VOL 2 NO.17 • APRIL 24 - APRIL 30, 2022

THEWILL DOWNTOWN • www.thewilldowntown.com

BY BOLUWATIFE ADESINA Movie Review:

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2

W

hen Sonic the Hedgehog made his theater debut two years ago, after decades as a famed video-game mascot, the cinematic equivalent of a ball and chain was placed around his speedy little legs. He still looked every inch the big-eyed blue speedster from Sega’s many games, but the movie made him spend all of his time palling around with a local cop in small-town Montana instead of battling alien robots in phantasmagoric, loop-deloop-filled locations like the Casino Night Zone. Sonic, who wears a pair of red sneakers and guzzles chili dogs, can run at the speed of sound. So why did he spend so many scenes just sitting in a car?

That film, one of the last big-budget ones to be released before the coronavirus pandemic began, was a surprise hit. So, inevitably, audiences are now being treated to Sonic the Hedgehog 2, featuring the return of Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz); his policeman buddy, Tom (played by James Marsden); and the villainous Ivo Robotnik (played by Jim Carrey), along with some new animal friends. But this film has a much more whimsically nerdy energy and runs a robust 122 minutes, compared with its predecessor’s 99. This is no quirky, fishout-of-water comedy sneaking in a couple of cute Sega Genesis references; Sonic 2 is confident that it can throw notions such as Chaos Emeralds and tribes of talking echidnas at the audience without fear of confusion. Video games have firmly entered the monoculture, and Sonic is here to lead the parade.

Nailing the effective video-game-to-film translation has always been tricky—even moderate hits such as the Resident Evil series mostly emphasized familiar horror and action beats over the expansive fantasy of the virtual worlds they were based on.

But last year, the unexpected success of Ryan Reynolds’s action movie Free Guy felt

PAGE 16

somewhat seismic—the conceptual story was rooted in non-player-characters and open-world gaming but was rendered as comedy for a mainstream audience. Then, earlier this year, an anemic adaptation of the famed Uncharted series still managed to win big at the box office, perhaps helped by the star, Tom Holland, but likely also by the overall popularity of those games.

Sonic 2 begins with the villainous inventor Robotnik, exiled to an empty planet filled with mushrooms, encountering an echidna with attitude named Knuckles (voiced, with typically commanding style, by Idris Elba) and teaming up with him to exact revenge on Sonic, against whom the echidnas apparently bear a lifelong grudge. Echidnas, in case you don’t know, are adorable, egg-laying mammals also known as spiny anteaters, though Knuckles’s most prominent feature is the pointy spikes on his gloved hands, with which he viciously punches his way through every battle.

Sonic is assisted in fighting off this new threat by the plucky Tails (Colleen O'Shaughnessey), a gadget-whiz fox with two tails that can spin together in a helicopter-esque motion. Always my favorite character from the games because of his gentler outlook, Tails firmly establishes his role as the Donatello of the group—good with computers, levelheaded, and slightly less interested in direct combat. The inclusion of other CGI characters actually helps balance out Sonic’s manic energy a little bit; watching them bounce off of one another is somehow easier than watching human actors try their best to interact with imaginary creatures that couldn’t show up to set.

Tom and his wife, Maddie (played by Sumpter), are largely relegated to a ridiculous B-plot in which they attend the wedding of Maddie’s sister, Rachel (Rothwell), and a hunk named Randall (Shemar Moore). But the bifurcation of human and animal narratives (they link up again at the end) feels helpful as well; Sonic’s quest for a magic emerald is too absurd to involve a small-town cop. Carrey, of course, is the flesh-and-blood exception to these rules, because he’s always been adept at living cartoonery. After his joyful performance in the first Sonic, he ups the ante here, sporting a foot-long mustache and turning every line reading into a symphony of Ace Ventura–style mugging.

Is Sonic 2 wall-to-wall silliness? Of course. Is there an extended sequence in which Sonic and Tails enter a dance-off with a group of angry Siberian hunters? Yes. Does Knuckles at one point refer to the game of baseball as “the base of balls”? He does. But unlike the first film, Sonic 2 has a daft sense of fun that feels totally self-assured, a proper blend of kid-friendly gags and deeply dorky world building, complete with post-credit sequences and ever-expanding lore. Sonic 2 is hardly Shakespeare, but if video-game movies are going to take over the industry, they might as well be done with this kind of conviction.

Rating: 7/10

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

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

Playlist for the week

Black Sherif - Kwaku the Traveller

BNXN fka Buju - For Days

Rema_ Chris Brown - Time N Affection

Reminisce_ Simi - Overdose

T.I BLAZE_ Olamide - Sometimes - Remix

Weyinmi - Nobody Pass You

Jack Harlow - First Class

SYEMCA - All The Way

SiR_ Jill Scott - Still Blue (feat. Jill Scott)

Watch of the Week Man of God

Young Sam (Nifemi Lawal) watches, bored, his father, the Prophet Josiah Obalolu (Jude Chukwuma). Perhaps the kid doesn’t find much spiritual traction in his dad’s sermon. Sam sneaks out, and pays the price – his old man beats him with a belt. The scene occurs repeatedly throughout Sam’s childhood, his father wailing on him, his mother comforting her child but doing nothing to stop the violence, Sam vowing to leave and never return.

Which is exactly what he does. Several years later, Sam (Nnani) leads a scorching-hot Afro-jazz group while attending the University of Lagos.

He hasn’t spoken to his family in three years, and never replies to his mother’s letters. He smokes. He drinks. He has sex with women, three

of whom play key roles in his life: Rekya (Dorcas Shola Fapson), a dancer in his group, is his sort-of girlfriend; it’s complicated, but at least the opendoor vibe appears to be mutual. His relationship with Teju (Osas Ighodaro) is platonic, even though she has romantic interests; she assists him with his studies and tries to get him to attend Christian fellowship meetings with her.

Through Teju, Sam meets Joy (Atlanta Bridget Johnson), and we immediately hear heavenly piano music, implying that she’s The One, perhaps sent by God himself, because she’s also a music lover and, most importantly, the only one who successfully encourages him to join the fellowship.

Muh to Teju’s despair, Sam pursues a relationship with Joy, who maybe almost gets over his bad-boy reputation for a while, until her pastor labels him a player.

Meanwhile, Rekya drops out of university, dealing drugs for fast, easy money; she shows Sam her swanky new apartment and encourages him to live the high life with her. He declines, pinning his hopes to Joy, who leaves for several months on a service trip. Her

communication becomes sporadic, and his worst fears are realized – she went off and married someone else. Years go by.

Sam and Teju marry and start their own ministry, which takes off like a rocket. They enjoy a swank home, cars, and money.

Maybe it has something to do with Rekya – Sam’s sleeping with her on the side, and her dirty money is funding the ministry.

So much time has passed, and Sam remains wayward. Will he find the straight path? And where will it lead?

Man of God starts out quite strongly, with the leads imbuing the story with zest and energy. You really do buy into the story because of this. However the third act feels quite rushed, leading to me feeling a bit unsatisfied. I really did like where the film was headed but it felt like scenes had been removed from the third act. I’d still recommend it to viewers, but that caveat does remain.