Accidentally Famous: How social media is changing what makes a celebrity
We're all celebrities in our own right
Has anyone else noticed how we have a new celebrity every other week? The concept of a celebrity has undergone such a massive transformation in the last decade. Before the advent of the Kardashians (bless them!), all the paths to fame involved heavy networking, agents and patiently waiting on the “big break”. We don’t play by the old rules anymore though, celebrity meltdowns aren’t as easily tucked away by publicists but are compulsively documented by spectators and the stars themselves on the internet. At 2005, sexual impropriety amongst university lecturers in Nigeria was almost a legend we only spoke about in hushed, knowing tones. In 2018 though, we’ve had a voice recording of a lecturer soliciting for sex go viral on social media until the case was addressed.
But lives don’t just fall apart on the Internet; the rise and popularity of reality television, the Internet and social networking has resulted in more people becoming famous, for shorter periods of time, for doing less than ever before. These short periods of fame can be successfully finessed into sponsorship deals or even be used to revive a rightfully dead career like Charles Okocha’s, but ultimately, consistency is the big guy that gets even the best of us.
Last month, the internet made a group of four friends famous. Currently known only as the “Kupe Boys”, all it took was one video of the quartet dancing to A-star’s “Kupe dance” posted on social media. Within hours, they were a top trending topic across the continent, women drooled over them, there have been about a thousand and one spin-off videos of other friend groups doing the dance which had now become a viral trend, various news outlets covered them and they amassed a heavy social media following. For the time, the four have a fandom of theirs, spurn out of posting something that spread faster than a grease fire online.
A decade ago, it would have been far-fetched to think that a group of young men of no discernible talent besides leveling up to societal standards of beauty could become a household name as the Kupe Boys did. And yet, here they are, full-blown revues booking special appearances from Europe to Abuja (let’s not get into the obvious gendered difference in the reaction to their choice of creative channel)
This culture shift is however not necessarily a bad thing. The new world order the internet brings is neither a one nor two-way street but a rather chaotic jumble of a vast number of streets that intersect at really weird places. Reinforcing our inherent narcissism aside, our culture of constant connection has prompted major changes to the celebrity: these self-publishing platforms give the everyday Joes an opportunity to gain fame, and they also allow closely monitored celebrities the opportunity to connect with fans at a human level. The share-everything culture means it’s easier than ever to become famous, even if it’s a hassle to retain your privacy once you become the subject of scrutiny.
Ultimately, don’t we all love our digital navel-gazing?
[mc4wp_form id=”26074″]
Mariam is (insert pretentious stuff about myself here). Share your thoughts with me @MA_Y_M
Here’s why we need to let #TiWiz thrive
Fanti Carnival Returns to Lagos This Easter with a Vibrant Celebration of Afro-Brazilian Culture
The historic Fanti Carnival is set to make its grand return on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, bringing the...
The historic Fanti Carnival is set to make its grand return on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, bringing the streets of Lagos Island alive with colour, music, and culture. With roots dating back to 1890, the Lagos Fanti Carnival is one of Nigeria’s oldest and most vibrant cultural traditions, celebrating the deep ties between Nigeria and Brazil through a dynamic fusion of Afro-Brazilian heritage and modern creativity.
This year’s edition is supported by the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, in partnership with Robert Taylor Media and the Brazilian Descendants Association of Lagos. Together, they aim to honour the legacy of the Afro-Brazilian community in Lagos — descendants of formerly enslaved returnees who shaped the city’s culture, religion, and architecture.
The carnival procession will kick off at 12:00 PM, starting from Old Defence Road and will end at the JK Randle Centre, with accreditation beginning at 10:00 AM. Attendees can expect a stunning showcase of traditional costumes, Afro-Brazilian drumming, dance, and performances from local creatives reinterpreting heritage for a new generation.
Whether you’re drawn to the dazzling pageantry, the live performances, or the chance to connect with a rich cultural history, the Fanti Carnival is an unmissable event this Easter.
Tickets are now available, and more information can be found via the official Fanti Carnival website or their social platforms.
Keep reading...
Vlisco’s “The Garden Of Sisterhood” Campaign Comes To Life in New “MAYANGA” Video
A celebration of creativity and cultural
Dutch textile brand Vlisco recently unveiled its latest campaign ‘The Garden Of Sisterhood,’ as part of its women’s month celebration. The campaign, which looks to extend Vlisco’s rich legacy in African fashion and its ongoing celebration of creativity and cultural storytelling, takes inspiration from Congolese musical icon Fally Ipupa’s latest single, “Mayanga.” The song’s accompanying music video was shot in the Ivory Coast, and seamlessly balances Ipupa’s signature soulful Rumba music with intricate floral motifs and soft, elegant colour palettes that celebrate the strength and individuality that blossoms through community.
In addition to Fally Ipupa, Vlisco also tapped up Ivorian fashion designer Loza Maléombho and Nigerian director Daniel Obasi to contribute to ‘The Garden Of Sisterhood’ campaign. Maléombho’s unique designs and Obasi’s striking storytelling helped contribute to actualising Vlisco’s distinct aesthetic and vision of merging heritage, creativity and fashion.
In a statement discussing the collaboration with Vlisco, the Congolese superstar described it as a beautiful experience. “They understood my vision of working with talented artists and honouring the beautiful women who wear Vlisco fabrics. By creating exclusive designs for me and the remarkable women in the cast, Vlisco really brought our artistic vision to life, harmoniously fusing music and fashion,” he said.
Similarly, Marlou van Engelen, the creative director of Vlisco, expressed that it was an honour working with Fally Ipupa. “His song ‘MAYANGA’ perfectly reflects our admiration for the women who shaped us, inspire us, and mean so much to us. For us, it’s not just about fashion; it’s about the stories told through our beautiful prints. And I believe the best stories are always told together,” she said in a statement.
View this post on Instagram
Keep reading...
NATIVE PREMIERE: Rigo Kamp Runs Ahead Of The Pack With The Visuals For “Marathon”
Rigo Kamp’s Marathon video is an intimate Afro-juju revival that pays homage to Sir Shina Peters and stamps...
Last Friday, Rigo Kamp, a NATIVE uNder alum and one of the architects of an equal parts nostalgic and refreshing sound released his self-titled debut EP, delivering a propulsive fusion of Alte, R&B, Funk, and Soul-infused rhythms.
Featuring previously released singles “Morning Sun” and “Summer”, the six-track eponymous EP executively produced by Odunsi The Engine sees Rigo lean heavily into his element as a sonic alchemist, jumping from silky falsettos to gritty grooves without losing an ounce of cohesion, and ultimately stamping the Abuja-born, Lagos-based singer-songwriter as a mad scientist of sound.
Just last November, Apple Music named Rigo Kamp as its Up Next artist, an acknowledgment that underscored his potential and confirmed what the tastemakers and underground scene already knew. Weeks later, he delivered an exhilarating live set for Spotify Fresh Finds in Lagos, proving he’s just as compelling live as he is in the studio.
On “Marathon”, the refreshing opener to the Rigo Kamp EP, Rigo borrows the bounce and swagger of Afro-Juju legend, Sir Shina Peters’ golden-era, fusing nostalgia with re-imagination to birth a vintage performance that feels like a private party for two, where it’s just Rigo, and you.
Get an exclusive first look at the video for Marathon here:
Listen to the Rigo Kamp EP:
Keep reading...
