THEWILL DOWNTOWN FEB. 28 - 6 MAR. EDITION

VOL 1 NO.3 • FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 06, 2021

OLUMIDE AKPATA CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO

VOL 1 NO.3 • FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 06, 2021

EDITOR’S NOTE

Photo: @HairByUgo

CONTENTS

Success Is Intentional

6-7

COVER STORY: Olumide Akpata:

Challenging The Status Quo

I get a ton of messages in my inboxes across several social media platforms with a good number of them from young Nigerians looking for work opportunities, mentorship, seeking their big breaks within the media, inquiring about internships and such. I’ll be honest, I’ve made some really interesting connections and gone on to employ more than a few, recommending more to people I know they’d do good with work with and more. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not always happy endings but there is something about being able to impart into the others. When that is done well and received by those who are willing to commit time and energy- dedicated to taking the lessons and turning them into something tangible, then it all becomes worth it.

4-5 Best & Worst Looks From The 14th Edition of The Headies

6

The W Bar

Olumide Akpata, President of the Nigerian Bar Association could be easily surmised as born into greatness, but when you read his interview, you will understand that he had to earn every inch of success he has received. He takes nothing for granted, instead, spotting opportunities and applying himself diligently with a winning mentality and playing fair along the way. There are a lot of lessons in his interview for both Millennials and Gen Z alike who incidentally were at war on Twitter recently.

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This week’s DOWNTOWN is packed with content including views from NYFW, looks from the just concluded Headies awards and much more. It didn’t all come together magically...the entire team was intentional about giving you a great reading experience today.

The Gen Z vs Millennials War On Social Media

As we exit the month of February, make it count by masking up, practicing Covid-19 protocols and staying safe for you and yours. Take care and you’ll be seeing us next week!

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Latasha Ngwube @latashalagos

THE TEAM Publisher/Editor-In-Chief: Austyn Ogannah Editor: Latasha Ngwube Editor-at-Large: Chalya Shagaya Beauty Editor: Onah Nwachukwu @onahgram Contributing Editor: Odun Ogunbiyi @oddbodandthecity Senior Writer: Chisom Njoku @inchisomwetrust Contributing Writer: Boluwatife Adesina House Photographer: Rachel Seidu @rachelseidu Graphics/Layout: Olatunji Samson Digital Media: Olanrewaju Balogun Interns: Sophia Edisi Tobiloba Olakolu Kehinde Fagbule Tilewa Kazeem

Guest Art Director: Sunny Hughes ‘Sunza’

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Views From The Second Virtual New York Fashion Week (Fall/Winter 2021)

14-15 5 Simple Ways to Revamp Your Wig

16

Sorosoke Downtown: Oiza & Meyi

VOL 1 NO.3 • FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 06, 2021

ODUN OGUNBIYI

ODDBOD & THE CITY

EHINGBETI 2021: Setting The Tone For The Next Decade L

ast week the Lagos Economic Summit took place at the Eko Hotel conference centre.

The summit was founded in 2000 by the then Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a cornerstone for planning the economic development of the state. Bringing together the best and brightest from the public and private sector, home and abroad to roadmap policies and recommendations, the summit looks to elevate Lagos into the great city it deserves to be.

This year’s Ehingbeti felt a little bit different for obvious reasons.

Participants were encouraged to register and follow the summit online and with eleven thousand registered participants and speakers patching in from ten different countries, I was expecting the usual disappointing hiccups and glitches. Instead, the summit went ahead as smoothly and professionally as a Marvel movie production. A huge congratulations to the Ehingbeti team because they made Lagos proud.

I managed to have a quick word with the Co-chair Mr Sam Egube, Hon. Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget. For him, the current challenges of the pandemic, the protests, the global economic slowdown, and more, have made holding the summit even more crucial. “Lagos is a city of hope. In Lagos we rise, we move, and we speak up. We continue to invent and reinvent ourselves towards a greater Lagos,” he said.

He continued, “We love our fellowship, our interactions, and our dialogue. Ehingbeti represents that place where we come together to speak and to be listened to. It’s the place of conversation where hope is rekindled. It’s the place where we all hear voices speaking to government, the private sector and civil society alike on what needs to be done.

Whether it’s COVID-19 or EndSARS, going forward always calls for togetherness and a heartfelt conversation to chart the course for our collective aspirations. That’s what Ehingbeti represents.”

For ‘A Greater Lagos’ indeed.

This girl thinks that going forward the virtual model for this summit really should be duplicated. In the past an event of this magnitude would have us all trapped in a gridlocked Lagos; perhaps there are silver linings to any situation.

Eko Signature Hotel There is nothing this girl likes better than working on location.

You know what I mean—the laptop is open but you are poolside and there may or may not be a perky cocktail keeping you company.

Last week I decamped to Eko Signature Hotel, Victoria Island for work. I should probably confess now that working remotely from a fab hotel is one of my absolute favourite things to do. This was my first time at the Signature arm, so I was excited to see what all the fuss was about.

First, I want to get out of the way my honest acknowledgement that the staff and service I received was excellent—polite, helpful, and timely. I have absolutely no complaints it made for a very pleasant stay indeed.

The rooms are large and pleasant and the shower divine although starting to show some signs of wear and tear— chipped bathroom mirrors, that sort of thing. I am going to give a TEENSY pass here because you know, pandemic, but it is these little things that shatter the illusion.

When it comes to interiors I am more of a traditionalist, so primary-coloured cold leather seating arrangements was never going to float my boat and it is nobody’s fault that the surrounding view is a polluted waterway and construction façades… sigh.

I am nitpicking because, in reality, this is head and shoulders still one of the best places in the Lagos area to stay.

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VOL 1 NO.3 • FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 06, 2021

FASHION BY DOWNTOWN’S FANTASTIC 4

Best & Worst Looks From The 14th Edition of The Headies The Headies Awards show recently concluded its 14th edition tagged Xplore.

It was the country’s first virtual awards show due to COVID-19 lockdown protocols and was shot across four locations. The event saw Fireboy DML cart away five awards, putting him at a tie with Wande Coal’s record-breaking five statuettes back in 2010. The ceremony was attended by the biggest names in the entertainment industry who came dressed to kill and some… far from.

Downtown Magazine’s Fantastic 4 had a round table discussion and put together our list of the Best and Worst looks at the event.

Best Looks Chike With a reputation as the industry’s “Lover boy” to protect, Chiké is limited when it comes to the range of looks he can pull off, thanks to his self-imposed persona. The Boo of the Boo-less crooner went for the expected as he rocked the “newlywed groom” look which was deftly executed with aplomb. He was certainly one of the best dressed of the night as his outfit was very on-brand.

-Kehinde Fagbule

Omah Lay The Next Rated category was one of the most coveted and controversial categories of the night and its well deserved recipient, Omah Lay, came correct in an all-black look topped with a wine camouflage bomber jacket and a head warmer.

Now that’s how you take home the award of the night! In an outfit that does the talking! Tobiloba Olakolu

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Wizkid

Moelogo

The Ciroc ambassador caught the attention of everyone at the event and all watching at home when he arrived in all-white luxury loungewear with the shirt left unbuttoned showcasing his jangling diamond chains. The look was very reminiscent of Diddy and his BadBoy crew from the 90s. - Tilewa Kazeem

Styled by Parson Joe, Mohammed Animashaun, famously known as Moelogo stepped up to receive his award for the Best Alternative Song in a minimalist loungewear look that was just as subtle as it screamed class and style. - Tilewa Kazeem

VOL 1 NO.3 • FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 06, 2021

FASHION

Best Dressed Females

Honorable Mention: Bovi

Lily Afegbai and Erica Nlewedim I couldn’t choose just one between Lily Afegbai and Erica Nlewedim here so I’m giving kudos to both.

Lily Afegbai sauntered onto the red carpet in a burgundy backless dress, replete with a long, flowing cape that billowed as she moved across the floor. Styled by SwankyJerry, this number was stunning and was clearly one of my two best dresses of the night.

Former BBN contestant Erica stepped out before the paparazzi on Headies carpet in an undulating dark red gown, adorned with a beautiful chest centerpiece of a queen, complete with a crown and garnished by cowries. The newly minted Swarovski Nigeria ambassador glinted like one of their diamonds as she sashayed all over the competition. She definitely did her Elites proud.

- Bolu Adesina

Worst Looks

Comedian and co-host of the show, Bovi went through a couple of outfits but his last look spoke volumes and that makes him my choice for an honorable mention. A sleeveless white kaftan that bore more than a passing reference of a sad day for all present and those watching.

Fashion is can be a tool for social change and Bovi gets all my coins for his sartorial decision. - Tilewa Kazeem

Laycon We need to start a conversation about whoever is styling Laycon. There’s a disconnect between what he’s ordering and what he’s getting. The size of the shoes he wore on the night may have been the headline atrocity but the issues with what he wore ran deeper than that. The outfit he had on for his performance best epitomizes this. A black shirt with a gold deer embroidered sleeveless jacket over it with matching shorts didn’t really work for me. He deserves better than that. -Bolu Adesina

Badboy Timz TG Omori Usually behind the camera, one might forgive brilliant video director, TG Omori for not knowing how to look in front of it. Perhaps he didn’t get the memo, Omori decided to put together a streetwear fit that would probably fly at a latenight concert or a rave. There were not many looks worse than this on the night and it’s advisable that he just continues what he does best; direct videos. -Kehinde Fagbule

Desmond Elliot Director and Actor turned Politician, Desmond Elliot showed up at the Headies in a native outfit, a walking cane, and a neckpiece. I just can’t place my fingers on why this outfit is wrong but it just looks lazy. That’s my POV. - Tilewa Kazeem

With Wizkid, you’re expecting a look that softly moans “no stress”.

With Chiké, you’d expect the groom look. Every artist has a signature look that correlates with their style of music and their overall persona.

However, to shape that image in the audience’s mind takes time and consistency. For new artists, the brand you’re trying to portray has to be a constant fixture in all of your appearances. With Badboy Timz, we have a feeling it’s the snapback.

However, what exactly is going on from his torso downward? This look would be forgiven if it were a throwback picture of a 16-year-old who had peaked in high school on the day of his valedictory service.

Looks like the kind of embarrassing “this is your moment from 10 years ago” post-Facebook would serve you with and you’d cover your face in disbelief that you once dressed like that. -Kehinde Fagbule

Iyabo Ojo

Bella Shmurda Asides from being one of the highlights of the night for his grammar, his outfit was also lacking in taste and glamour.

Netizens have alleged it was a counterfeit Louis Vuitton hoodie while the jury is still out on the skinny jeans and leather boots. With the reputation Bella currently holds, a more outstanding look was expected from him. He and his stylist have some work to do. -Tobiloba Olakolu

Styled by Tiannah, Nollywood veteran Iyabo Ojo stepped on the red carpet looking like a 17th-century Roman gladiator.

Everything about this look was so wrong… from the earrings to the corset, the shoulder pads, the gloves, and the execution. Two red carpet images of her surfaced to extremely contrasting reviews.

One where she was looking like she might have at least gotten the execution right just a little bit and the other would make sense if she’d told you she was going to feature in a Mortal Kombat fight scene after the event. - Kehinde Fagbule

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VOL 1 NO.3 • FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 06, 2021

DOWNTOWN HOTSPOT

The W Bar

BY TOBILOBA OLAKOLU

P

lanted in the heart of Ikoyi at the LASWA dock yard (Lagos State Water Association), Falomo-Ikoyi, Lagos, the W Bar is accessible to all Lagosians as it’s situated in a strategic location that beats traffic, and gives off a luxurious feel. Walking into the artistic terminal to get through to the W Bar is a delight as one’s senses are immediately ignited by the use of space, art made from recycled items as well natural light. The bar itself and its surrounding area are the sweetest cherry on an already sumptuous cake as nothing prepares you for the stunning view!

For those who enjoy capturing their days and nights out on camera to make memories, create content and love a picturesque backdrop, then the W Bar is the place you want to be as it has a lot of elements to take your photography game from zero to hero within a few frames.

An all-important factor to look forward to at W Bar is the drink and food menu which consists of a host of intercontinental dishes down to your quick sandwiches and burgers. It is also very pocket friendly as you can get a whole meal for as low as #4000, dessert as low as #2500, and cocktails

for as low as #2500. Comfort at W Bar is also top-notch for its guests as it gives enough room to dance comfortably, fraternize easily, and enjoy a night out with friends.

Security wise, W Bar also has it’s guests covered as it is heavily fortified with security professionals.

W Bar is also a spot known for its versatility and a great place to network as some nights it is packed with 9-5ers, entrepreneurs and “I just got backs” while some other nights, it could be celebrities, HNIs and technocrats.

Whatever your hustle, the W Bar’s doors are open as long as you’re keeping it clean and respectable for the sake of their customers and it’s reputation. The music at W Bar is also fantastic with a variety of DJs, sometimes a live band and the occasional special performance.

So if you are a Lagosian or just in Lagos for the weekend, W Bar is a great option to add to your social calendar.

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VOL 1 NO.3 • FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 06, 2021

websights DOWNTOWN

vs War On Social Media

R

ecently on Twitter, a question was targeted at Gen Z, asking them their opinions on Millennials. What would follow, was an online war between both generations that was as hilarious as it was profound in many respects.

For so long, there have been fights between generations; notably between the baby boomers and their children, the millennials. It’s always been - in layman’s terms – a battle of the old vs young. The kind of fights you’d have with your mum as she called you to help her change her WhatsApp display picture just moments after you received a thorough bashing for spending all of your free time on the phone. The “Young people are so lazy, entitled and too focused on disrupting society whilst being uninvolved in politics” vs the “Old people don’t want to leave power, reinvent themselves or at least shake up a system they’ve created that’s not working.” It’s a lot of bickering and too often a counterproductive blame game.

Fast forward to the 2010s and the young generation of then millennials, are getting along in age while the new school generation Z are coming of age and things are a bit different.

For clarity, Millennials are people who were born between 1981 - 1996 (aged 25 - 40 years) while members of Generation Z were born between 1997 - 2009 (aged 12- 24 years). Historically, there are a few differences between both generations; The most prominent being the influence of technology. Most millennials were raised during a time when technology wasn’t a constant fixture in everyday life.

The time before social media became a thing and connecting with the world around them wasn’t a norm- basically an analog childhood with a digital adulthood. Gen Z however grew up around a ridiculous influx of technology so their social interaction with the world around them was amped up making them them the first true digital natives. This transcends all aspects of their lives as Gen Z are notable for their multitasking skills but shorter attention span in comparison to the slightly old-school millennial generation. Again, because of the access to technology at such an early age, Gen Z is full of early starters who are mostly selfaware, entrepreneurial and would rather not go through the traditional routes to get things done.

The question posed across social media caused an uproar online with people from both generations weighing in with their disdain for the opposing generation.

Of course, it was Twitter, so there was enough banter to last days. Here are some of the best tweets from the face-off.

BY KEHINDE FAGBULE

Gen Z crushing it...

Millennials clapping back

For the sake of context, these are the different generations; Baby Boomers: born 1946 to 1964 Generation Jones: born 1955 to 1965 (AKA Young Boomers) Generation X:

born 1965 to 1980

Millennials:

born 1981 to 1996 (AKA Generation Y)

Generation Z:

born 1997 or after

Generation Alpha: born 2010 or after

In finality...

As a person stuck between both generations (actually more tilted to the millennial generation), it was entertaining to watch both generations go head to head. However, my biggest observation was that millennials are a lot more practical hence less seemingly empathetic. This is a problem as they are traits from the boomers and generation X the millennials had to imbibe and Gen Z have come to hate.

On the other hand, Generation Z takes almost zero responsibility, find it difficult to stick to a craft for extended periods of time and have the attention span of houseflies so they claim boredom frequently. This also is a problem because most innovations like social media (ironically Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) were built by Gen X and Millenials who definitely relied on resilience and willpower to see these projects through.

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VOL 1 NO.3 • FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 06, 2021

COVER

OLUMIDE AKPATA:

CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO

The desire to achieve the seemingly unattainable is encoded in the mind of every human being but the will to work towards the realization of those wants isn’t. Many believe things would just happen, so they don’t fret but some understand that life is a game of chess- every move has to be deliberate and intentional. One of such intentional goal-setters is Olumide Akpata, a very successful commercial lawyer and President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the largest body of lawyers in Africa.

He sits down with Downtown’s Chisom Njoku to discuss life, leadership, and the law.

G

ive us some insight into your person. Who is Olumide Akpata?

I’m Olumide Akpata, a lawyer with close to thirty years of experience, I’m down to earth and I’m a straightforward person and I try to avoid complexity. Today I’m a senior partner in a law firm called Templars and I’m also President of the Nigerian Bar Association.

What was your early life like, where did you grow up?

Although I was born in Germany, I’m a quintessential Warri boy. I did all my schooling in Warri, up until secondary school when I was admitted to King’s College in Lagos, then to the University of Benin after which I was called to the Nigerian Bar, requiring me to be in Lagos for Law School.

What sparked your interest in Law? My father was a medical doctor and [although he hoped I would be a doctor too], he encouraged me to study something professional. After looking through my results that term, he felt I was more art inclined and advised me to study Law. I’m eternally grateful to my father because being a lawyer gives you certain advantages, firstly it gives you the power of analysis and helps you to navigate various issues.

You’re presently at the peak of your career but what was the driving force that got you here?

It has a lot to do with upbringing and the schools I went to. I come from a results-oriented and driven family so failure is not an option and you are propelled and encouraged to succeed.

When I joined my cousin’s then-new law firm, I was about 23 years old and the odds were very daunting because we were young kids against professional giants but because failure was not an option, we had to be imaginative and ply the road less traveled.

Today, over 25 years later, our law firm is still standing with an excess of a hundred lawyers.

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I would say the driving force was playing fair but aiming to win.

Are you the first non-SAN president of the Nigerian Bar Association?

The NBA has existed before the rank of senior advocate so there has definitely been a number of non-SAN presidents in the association but in recent memory, from 1988 till my election in 2020[32 years], we’ve only had senior advocates as presidents so I’m the first non-SAN president in a very long time.

Although you aren’t a SAN, a lot of Senior Advocates rallied around you during the elections. What do you think was the reason for that?

Firstly I’ve been around for a while and an active member of the association so even though quite a number of the senior advocates supported their colleagues, others saw that it was not about rank or title, it was about who has the track record and can deliver the goods.

And even though it was a tough decision for many, they chose to go against popular opinion and vote for me because they knew I would do what was best for the association.

What was a major gap you noticed that made you vie for the presidency of the Nigerian Bar Association?

It was the lack of capacity. The legal profession is around 150 years old in Nigeria but we were playing way below our weight class and although the Nigerian economy is the largest in Africa, the profession is not able to service the economy because of the way the profession is structured. Most people only think of Law from the angle of dispute resolution to the detriment of other parts of the profession and I saw that gap.

We’re operating in the largest economy on the continent, it can’t only be all about dispute resolution but that’s the tone from the top of the profession. Now we’re churning out about six thousand lawyers and

there aren’t enough disputes to go round so there’s a need to diversify.

The NBA which should’ve been championing diversification and cresting new areas of practice was not doing enough and that was what propelled me.

A Twitter user made a comment about her studying Law in a lawless country, how do you feel lawyers can do better in the pursuit of justice here in Nigeria?

Our motto is “promoting the rule of law” and for us to be true to our mandate, our main focus has to be upholding the rule of law because that’s our job as lawyers, we are the watchdogs in Africa.

Recently we sued the Federal Government for extending the tenure of the inspector general of police by three months and we did that because its a rule of law issue and the point was to hold leaders accountable. When the public see that their leaders have no regard for the rule of law, they would do the same thing because people take cues from their leaders.

If we don’t nip it in the bud, it becomes the norm and everyone does what they like so regarding this tweet, we need to prevent the situation where we become a lawless country.

What were the challenges you didn’t anticipate during the contest for the position of the president that you’re currently tackling?

Honestly, people are very demanding, public office is not a tea party. You get into office and people want to see, hear, and talk to you and it’s not out of place to get a call at six in the morning and the caller says ‘Mr. President, good morning, just wanted to hear your voice” and that’s to be expected because you’re a public officer [within the confines of an organization].

It’s tough because you want to do your own thing but the reality is you don’t own your time anymore.

Apart from that, there’s also capacity issues [a-lot to be done] and finding the right people to come and do the work is also tough but we’re doing it and showing people that we mean well and we have the best interest of the association at hand.

The NBA is tasked with the protection & promotion of human rights, what is the long-term plan to curb human rights violations in Nigeria?

We have the NBA Human Rights Institute but unfortunately its almost redundant so I intend to re-invigorate the institute because it’s supposed to be an academy where we

VOL 1 NO.3 • FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 06, 2021

FASHION

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VOL 1 NO.3 • FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 06, 2021

COVER

My problem with leadership today is the lack of accountability and the fact that they don’t seem to understand they serve at the pleasure of the people and it is the job of leaders to light the way. train lawyers and non-lawyers so people can know what their rights are and also train operators of government institutions, government organizations and collaborate with various human rights commissions.

Unfortunately, policemen don’t receive training in human rights so they don’t even know that they’re infringing on your rights and so definitely the NBA needs to do more. This is why those before us set up the human rights institute because it’s supposed to help with advocacy and awareness and if you’re able to inform people, the problem is half solved as ignorance is a major issue.

Then playing the watchdog role, the NBA and other organizations hold the people in power accountable so they know they are being monitored and that helps to put them on the straight and narrow.

Although we [NBA] don’t have a silver bullet [magic solution], we’re going to do the things that we ought to do which include sensitization, advocacy, playing the watchdog role, calling out those who are abusing human rights, and defending the defenseless.

If you could change one thing about Nigerian society as a whole, what would that be?

If I could change one thing, it would be leadership.

And when I say leadership I don’t mean only in terms of the president. My problem with leadership today is the lack of accountability and the fact that they don’t seem to understand they serve at the pleasure of the people and it is the job of leaders to light the way.

It doesn’t fix all the problems but if you change the mindset of those who are leading, you’ll have the problem almost sorted out then leadership will bring about re-orientation of followers because they’ve been conditioned a certain way.

Aspiring leaders also need to understand that it’s a service, it’s not supposed to be self-serving and

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they’re there to do good by the people.

On a lighter note, how do you de-stress after a long work week?

I love to party, I’m a very active social animal [laughs], I hang out with my friends and although I don’t play golf yet I intend to pick it up very soon as I get older, I also love to travel but 2020 was a tough year and it put a pause on a lot of things.

There aren’t a lot of outlets for de-stressing now, nothing to do, nowhere to go and that underlying feeling of uncertainty but when I can, I still travel and see friends. Sometimes I just shut down totally and watch a cartoon or watch a comedy to relax.

Very little is known about your personal life, kindly give us some insight into what your family is like?

I’ve not yet married so the family unit I have right now consists of just my sisters and my father.

What was dating like for you pre-Covid? Are you a romantic?

I’m not dating, I’m in a steady relationship, it’s just that we haven’t done the needful. Unfortunately, I’m not a romantic person but she holds it down for the both of us.

What’s a hidden talent that many people might not know you have?

I’m a good dancer, although people know that already. I could also easily be a comedian.

I hang out with comedians a lot and I love their work especially Alibaba, Bovi, I go die, Mc Abbey, they’re all my friends.

Walk me through an average day in the life of an NBA president?

It’s a lot, there’s always so much to do. On an average day I’m attending 3-4 events where I’m supposed to give a speech at each one so I have

speechwriters helping me because, without them, it would be difficult to catch up. Then I have to do interviews as well in addition to running the organization itself.

Today I got a call about a maintenance issue that needed attention and from that to dealing with NBA Calabar where there was a conference which I was meant to attend but due to a 5-hour flight delay, I had to make a virtual appearance.

I was in Jigawa on Monday morning, I’ll be in Abuja tomorrow for a meeting and then Kaduna on Sunday. There are 125 branches of the association so it’s a lot to handle.

Do you still hang out with the regular folks at Templars?

I had to take a leave of absence from work at Templars because I knew it wouldn’t be possible to do this part-time and that’s unfortunate because by design it should be part-time. Unfortunately, we haven’t built capacity to the point where one can balance personal engagements and the association’s responsibilities.

Thankfully I belong to a big law firm so they could afford to let me go and I’m trying to put a system in place so that whoever comes after me finds it easier.

You were once very interested in business, have you ever paused to imagine what your life would be like if you pursued that career path?

I haven’t really given it much thought but just because of the kind of person I am and my values, I think I would’ve made a success of it. But the good thing is I’m still a businessman at the end of the day because I run my practice which in itself is a business so I’m living the best of both worlds.

VOL 1 NO.3 • FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 06, 2021

Stoney-Saba One of the best songs off Chicago rapper Saba’s brilliant debut album Bucket List Project, Stoney is a xylophone-laden, saxophone led trip to past journeys that helped to inform his present. Expertly performed and produced, you can feel the energy jumping out of your speakers. Chanting out lines like

BY BOLUWATIFE ADESINA

Remember they ain’t show no love, now it’s only PDA

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

will have your creative juices flowing in no time.

Gloria-Tierra Whack If you’re unfamiliar with Tierra Whack, consider this an introduction. The Philadelphia-born rapper burst on the scene in 2018 with her unique debut Whack World. 15 songs, all exactly one minute each exhibited her versatility as both rapper and vocalist and retains immense replay value till this day Gloria, one of her more recent songs retains that level of creative brilliance but now we’re getting to see her ideas play out in full.

Gloria finds her using the delivery she’s most comfortable with— where her singing and rapping meet in the middle. The song also features Tierra riding the bright piano chords with one of her catchiest hooks to date: Put a nigga in a box like a Big Mac/Man they love me in the hood they say ‘Big Whack.’

This cocky, self-assured track is sure to get you bopping your head and back in the game.

Memories-Thutmose

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

A Playlist For Creatives There’s nothing more frustrating than hitting a creative wall. Having that tap of creativity, usually gushing, shut off so suddenly is jarring. When it does happen though, I go back to a simple fix: music. I have numerous rut-busters for every mood I seem to be in while in a creative shutdown (usually frustrated). I’ll be sharing 9 of my favorite creativity-boosters and why they get me back in my groove below. I hope this can be of help to you.

Intriguing Possibilities -Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (from The Social Network Soundtrack) This is probably my favorite song to write/code to. Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails fame and his frequent movie soundtrack collaborator Atticus Ross delivered a brilliant score for the superb 2010 movie The Social Network and Intriguing Possibilities is my pick of the bunch.

Juxtaposing a driving, electronic bassline against twinkling piano keys makes this track sound like ideation, the inception of frontiers we are yet to see, much less understand. Put it in the background as you work and witness your productivity rise exponentially.

Nigerian-born rapper Thutmose’s Memories is a reflective yet upbeat track that looks back at a failed relationship with rosecolored glasses. A wistful piano melody and a hand-clap beat accompany his emotional verse, which always gets me singing along. It’s little wonder it was included on the superb Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse Soundtrack.

Fantasy- Amaarae(ft. Maesu & Ckay) Amaarae is part of the new branch of afropop that is quickly taking root both domestically in her native Ghana and abroad. The immensely talented singersongwriter’s debut album The Angel You Don’t Know is a sultry, fluid and loose record, perfect for sticky summer nights. One of my favorite cuts from the album, Fantasy is a bubbly, seductive song that finds Amaarae carving out a space all her own: flirty, dexterous, self-assured, funny. Think of it as a little sexiness to get you going.

Sleepless Nights - Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, Kamasi Washington & 9th Wonder (ft.Phoelix) Dinner Party is a collective of 4 of the most talented black instrumentalists and producers working today and the strength of the album lies in it’s restraint. Marked by a blended mastery of multiple genres — from jazz and R&B to hip-hop — Dinner Party is a perfect album for a time of pandemic, police brutality, and an uncertain future. It is simultaneously escapism and protest.

Sleepless Nights is soaked in an ethereal optimism, a hopefulness delicately balanced with melancholy. As is the case throughout the album, Phoelix opts here for simple refrains rather than fully fleshed verses and choruses: Cloudy days, sleepless nights/I lay awake, tossing, wondering when we’ll get it right/We’ve been down, for so long/Know change been on the way, ain’t worried no more/Know we coming.

The production is echoey, featuring synth and some sort of a high-pitched chorus, as well as Washington on sax and Glasper on keys. Via pertinent lyrics and spacious beat, Dinner Party acknowledges the struggles of being Black in America while indulging in an idyllic vision of brighter days to come.

Vex Oh-Kaytranada (ft. GoldLink, Ari PenSmith &Eight9FLY) Canadian-Haitian producer Kaytranada knows the value of a good bassline. On Vex Oh, the bassline pulsates all through it’s brief 2:30 runtime, pulling you out of any funk you may have been in. Having GoldLink on the track is an inspired feature, with the DC-area rapper delivering a pidgin-inflected verse that fits in seamlessly with the track. It’s maybe the most Nigerian-sounding foreign song I’ve ever heard.

Building a Ladder - Hiatus Kaiyote You may never have heard of the Australian neo-soul quartet Hiatus Kaiyote, but they’ve been sampled on multiple mainstream songs in the last few years. Free Smoke, the first song on Drake’s More Life samples this very song, Molasses by Hiatus Kaiyote is also sampled by Anderson .Paak, among many others. So even if you’re not aware of this little Melbourne, Australia band, your favorites are.

Building a Ladder is a culmination of the long, mazy road taken on Choose Your Weapon, the band’s debut album. After the long, progressive soul climb that is Choose Your Weapon, after so much time spent in its shifting three-dimensional maze, Building A Ladder is a final breath of peace. We have survived hyperspace–now it’s time to take stock and let the world softly lull.

New Person, Same Old Mistakes-Tame Impala Rihanna’s cover of this song was brilliant as well, but the original always does it for me. Quite possibly the literal embodiment of longing, there’s so many powerful emotions coming through this track. Kevin Parker, “frontman” for Tame Impala (he writes, records and produces all the music himself) croons about the inability to shake some of the traits that follow us around all through life. Lyrics such as: I know that it’s hard to digest / a realization is as good as a guess hammer home the fact that our pasts shape us, as much as we’d like to avoid the fact. A melancholy conclusion to our playlist.

Well, there you have it. 9 songs that are sure to get you in a creative mood. Now get out of that funk and create!

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VOL 1 NO.3 • FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 06, 2021

FASHION

VIEWS FROM THE SECOND VIRTUAL

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK (FALL/WINTER 2021)

BY CHISOM NJOKU

T

hanks to the Coronavirus pandemic, NYFW which typically kicks off mid February has found itself going virtual for the second season(and year) in a row. It’s no secret we are currently navigating a new kind of normal and it’s bringing with it, a new playing field that is definitely more democratic with regards to calendar dates as the NY leg of Fashion Week that usually wraps up by the third week in February will see shows extending well into April.

Many American fashion designers are debuting their Fall/Winter collections via livestreams, look books, presentations and other

digital means, a stark contrast from the large-scale, in-person productions that had been the norm leading up to the pandemic. Last season saw quite a few brands declining to showcase through nonconventional means and this time around some big names like Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, Brandon Maxwell, Tommy Hilfiger, Christopher John Rogers, Pyer Moss and Tory Burch have also opted out.

But all is not lost as designers like Veronica Beard, Alice + Olivia, Markarian, Tadashi Shoji, Badgley Mischka, Anna Sui, Monse, Adeam, Victor Glemaud, Rodarte, Tanya Taylor, Anne Klein and more are expected to showcase their collection virtually.

Here are some of the looks that looks from the virtual runway that have us excited about fashion in 2021:

Jason Wu

Rebecca Minkoff The ace designer accompanied her socially distanced NYFW shows this year with a live stream of her virtual show on Instagram and TikTok. She also did something daring by partnering with OnlyFans, the infamous platform famous for its X-rated content.

Her collection “urban jungle,” mimics the city of New York and combines sandals, taste, floral and animal print.

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Taiwanese-Canadian designer Jason Wu was the first to show on Sunday, and one of the only designers who took NYFW in real life, presenting his collection in a socially distant runway show with face masks and a live stream accompaniment.

Models were clad in bold apparels surrounded by baskets and crates of flowers and vegetables.

VOL 1 NO.3 • FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 06, 2021

FASHION

Anna Sui For her Fall/ Winter 2021 collection, Anna Sui took inspiration from early television years, with chiffon dresses, faux-fur leopard coats, and florals, the vibrant and vintage collection is reminiscent of ‘60s films and connotes a nostalgic feel.

Phillip Lim The designer focused on comfort and utility, tailored to the transition between office life and workfrom-home Zoom life. Old fashioned streamlined style came together with A-line skirts and distinct sweaters.

Gabrielle Hearst Gabriela Hearst closed out the week with a collection inspired by the multidisciplinary existence of Saint Hildegard of Bingen, who was alive during a time when women were ostracized from intellectual and creative life. Hearst focused on her ever constant theme; science and art.

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VOL 1 NO.3 • FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 06, 2021

BEAUTY INTRO - WORDS -

ONAH NWACHUKWU JANE HARRIS

5

SIMPLE WAYS TO REVAMP YOUR WIG

Jane Harris

Wigs have been in trend for a really long time and I think it is safe to say it is an important accessory for every woman. Whether you choose a wavy, braided, or bone straight wig, one thing remains the same, they provide that quick solution to a bad hair day or simply help you switch up your look. So just what do you do with your wig when you get bored with it? I spoke to Jane Harris of The Virgin Hair Fantasy and she says you can switch up the look of your wig with a few simple tweaks to give you a fresh look that won’t have you breaking the bank.

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According to Jane, to get started, you will need:

• Haircutting shears or scissors • Tweezers for plucking • Hair dye • Hair ties

VOL 1 NO.3 • FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 06, 2021

BEAUTY

1 Cut A Bang An easy way to give your wig a new look is to add a bang. Bangs look great on nearly everyone, it’s just a matter of how much hair to have in your bang, and, or how long you want the bang. To get an idea of where to take your style, look for pictures of celebrities or hairstyles on people with similar face shape to yours.

If your wig is styled going back or with a side part, you will need to first trim excess lace before cutting your bang. Now, you don’t have to get scissor happy with lace trimming, you only need to remove ½ an inch or less of lace from the hairline. Using the hair cutting shears, simply trim a little bit of lace from the hairline. Less is always more, so start slow.

Trim a little, comb the wig to the front and see if you need to trim a little more. Again, go slow.

Once you have the lace trimmed, part the hair at the top of the head and comb the desired amount of bang hair forward. Use a hair tie to determine where you want the bang to land and trim a little longer than that, less is more, keep trimming a little until your desired look.

Style your bang with a curling wand or flat iron and voila!

2 Pluck The Hairline If your wig came ready to wear, and you didn’t have to do anything to it, you may need to look at a few YouTube videos on hairline plucking to start. This is another process that you want to take slowly to begin. Plucking too much hair will bald your hairline instead of giving it that natural hairline look.

Simply pluck a few hairs from the hairline to give your wig a more natural look. Plucking in the middle or on the sides can allow for ease of parting. Plucking overall just makes the hairline of your wig look like it’s your own hairline. It also helps the hair lay flatter. The flatter the hair, the more natural the hairline, the more natural the wig looks.

5 Consult With A Stylist If all else fails, and you find yourself stuck, consult with your favourite hairstylist. A professional trained in the art of hairstyling may see new styling options that you may not. If you can’t get to the salon, try booking a Zoom call where you try on the wig and you both discuss new looks. If you have photos, bring them to the call.

A stylist can walk you through changes that you can make during the call. Use this type of consultation to figure out how and where to cut the hair or what process to move through to colour. Having a professional hold your hand during the process of adjusting your wig can lower anxiety.

A stylist may offer options you haven’t considered as well.

3 Use Colour Add a little colour to your wig to switch things up. Adding colour is easier to do with a human hair wig, by the way, synthetic hair won’t take hair dye.

Keep the colour choice simple, opting for a box dye that you don’t need bleach for. Again consult photos of celebrities or hairstyles that you have always wanted to try. Choose a colour that will complement your skin tone. Starting small and choosing a colour slightly darker or one shade lighter is the safe route to take.

Something else to consider is a temporary dye over permanent. With a temporary dye, you can wash it out over a period of time.

That helps if you’ve never coloured your wig before and want to keep things easy.

4 Switch Up The Part If you’re accustomed to wearing your part on one side, switching up the part can give your wig a new look. It sounds daring but if you always wear a side part, try a middle part for a change. If you have no part at all, try parting on the side, making the part visible.

Take the styling of the part a step further by trimming small layers into your wig to add more of a face-framing effect. Add mouse to increase the staying power of your new style option. Wear your new look with confidence and without having to alter your wig too much.

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VOL 1 NO.3 • FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 06, 2021

SOROSOKE DOWNTOWN

BY TILEWA KAZEEM

OIZA & MEYI

What happens when you mix beauty, talent[singing], and a storytelling legacy together? You have Oiza and Meyi, twin sisters from Kogi state whose euphonious voices, witty lyrics, and bathroom performances have established them as the latest Instagram sensations. Their catchy videos have garnered tens of thousands of views with a fan base that is expanding by the day. They first came into our orbit via the reality talent show MTN Yellowstar, where they emerged as a part of the top 10 finalists. Fun fact, the talented duo are daughters of famous media veteran, Eugenia Abu, which could account for how grounded and articulate they are. The University of Zaria graduates let us into their world for a quick chat.

Tell us about yourselves…

Our names are Eucharia Ojotule Abu and Eugenia Unekuojo Abu. We are musicians. Oiza is also an actor, makeup artist, and jeweler, while Meyi is a textile designer and an artist.

Who is older and by how much?

Well, it depends, scientifically Oiza is older, but according to tradition, I sent Oiza into the world to find out if it was a good place before reporting back to her superior (Meji) whether or not the world was a safe place for her royal highness.

Who has the worst temper?

Oiza has the worst temper. She once broke an iron spoon in half.

Do you have other siblings?

In our culture, we don’t count children but we are not alone.

When did you find out you were musically talented?

Well, we found out we could sing when we were like six.

We wrote our first song, performed it for our parents, aunties, uncles and they applauded us. That’s when we knew.

What was the inspiration for writing Wuse 2 Bad Boyz and have you been stung?

We take cues from what is trending and our personal

experiences, that way we give our audience the best of both worlds. We aim to be as relatable as possible and in doing so engage our audience. We call it a form of “gisting”.

Is there any Abuja babe that hasn’t? (Been stung that is) The Abuja big boy scene was the inspiration but it’s not our mouth you will hear that there is fish inside geisha.

What advice do you have for girls to steer clear of Wuse 2 Bad Boyz?

Don’t fall for the caftan…it’s a trap! Pray o!

Prayer is key because one person’s Wuse 2 Bad Boy is someone else’s Jabi husband and it is by praying you get to meet the latter.

You made it to the top 10 contestants on The MTN Yellow Star. What was that like? Talk us through some of your experiences.

That proverb, “In the country of the blind, the one-eyed man is King” best explains our experience at the MTN Yellow star. Singing in the bathroom was our little bubble and all we knew. There was never a reason to push through vocal boundaries we never knew existed, so that was hard but there’s an upside to being surrounded by amazing vocalists in a learning environment that helps you improve and socialize. The fact that we were placed amongst our peers helped. They helped us sail past those obstacles and it morphed us into better musicians. Overall, it was a fun learning experience.

When it comes to twin duos in the music industry,

we’ve had male artists and no females. What do you have that distinguishes you from those that came before you?

Not much distinguishes us from our predecessors in the industry in as much as there are more opportunities for women and in music right now.

There are new avenues for people to stand independently and own rights to their music and rights whilst contributing to the music business.

For example, individuals can record, produce and manage themselves with as little as a laptop or a phone.

The increase in opportunities is the major distinguisher from those who came before us. Also, we are having fun which we think is the important thing.

Who’s Peter and who is Paul in the duo and by that I mean who’s the better dancer and who’s the better singer?

Firstly, there’s no Peter neither is there a Paul. But there’s an Oiza and Meyi. We are both mediocre dancers and that solely depends on the dance.

As for singing, it depends on the song.

Can we expect an actual song/project from you anytime soon?

Yes, you should. Soonest.

Is there anyone in the industry you’d like to work with?

Everybody o! We intend on being students of the industry. Learning from everybody with each step of the way.

Follow them @oiza_meyi on Instagram to keep up with their sunny personalities and fun content.

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