In a blink of an eye, we’re already in the final month of the third quarter of 2022 and that is honestly beyond shocking to me. Summer is slowly fading out but it’s safe to say that it’s still not over as we enter LEO Season. As there’s only a few weeks left in summer, there’s still quite a lot to get into. ITV’s Love Island UK just wrapped but Love Island USA just kicked off about a week ago and viewers seem to be shifting focus towards that now.

Reality TV shows seem to be holding it down right now all over the world. Just two weeks ago, Big Brother Naija made its way back to our screens for a new season and in less than two weeks, it’s become one of the hottest topics, steering up different conversations on the timeline. Just as always, the wheels of pop culture are ever-turning and it’s our job to put you onto the hottest takes on just about everything about reality TV shows.  Keep reading this week’s Hot Takes as we’ve got a lot to say.

What I’m Listening To

Recently, I’ve been listening to a whole bunch of new music actually but for the past few weeks since its release, the only body of work I’ve really listened to is ‘Boy Alone.’ After this body of work, it’s safe to call myself an Omah Lay stan because for some reason, I was overly impressed. I think the major takeaway for me from the album is the blatant honesty, I can’t get over his sincerity on the album and for this reason, I keep running back the album. I currently have no favourites as my favourites change on every listen but right now, it’ll be between “Soso” and “Never Forget.” These two records are currently everything to me. The elements on the beat of “Soso” were extremely thought out and that has to be the most intentional beat pattern I’ve heard all year. Shoutout to Tempoe for that special record.

What I’m Watching

I’m not really watching anything in particular right now. I’ve been catching up on my favourite visual podcast ‘The Crew Has It,’ so that has been taking up all my time. It’s a podcast about all that goes on in the Power Universe, hosted by Michael Rainey Jr. who plays Tariq and Gianni Paolo who plays Brayden. The podcast features characters from all parts of the ‘Power’ universe including all the seasons of ‘Power,’ ‘Raising Kanan,’ ‘Power Book 2: Ghost,’ ‘Force’ and all the other sequels and prequels.

If you’re a ‘Power’ fan just like myself, I highly recommend this show. It gives an insight on what goes on behind scenes which viewers never really get to see. It also sheds light on the crew and not just the cast of the show. My favourite reality show Big Brother Naija just returned for a new season and yes, I’m getting into this. Conversations have already started and conversations.

Sheggz is a walking red flag

Let’s call it as it is, Sheggz is a walking red flag. If you don’t know who Sheggz is by now, he’s one of the contestants on the current season of Big Brother Naija Level Up season and already, he’s been causing quite the conversation, and all for the wrong reasons.

Emerging in the Big Brother House as an original housemate in Level 1, Sheggz entrance immediately elicited comments on social media timelines, as news of an alleged assault on his ex-girlfriend drew opposition from many viewers who did not encourage an abuser being platformed on the country’s biggest reality television show. While these details were allegations were not confirmed, his presence on the show this year has been closely been observed by many viewers who believe the UK-born contestant is not to be trusted.

This season, especially has been heavily focused around contestant-to-contestant relationships or ships as they are fondly called by BBN superfans, and Sheggz is one of the contestants this season in the highly stanned relationship. From the onset of the series, Sheggz has made his affections known for another housemate, Bella who seems to be drawn to more than the other female contestants. Clips and videos of both housemates wooing each other, and maintaining close affection, have circulated the timeline, alerting viewers of Sheggz worrying traits in romantic relationships.

The tip of the iceberg came this weekend when Sheggz mentioned to Bella that he had “blue balls,”  a slang for “epididymal hypertension,” which occurs when a person becomes sexually aroused for an extended period of time but does not have an orgasm. I’m not even in the habit of discussing a grown man’s balls so it’s deplorable he would mention this on live television which is also being broadcast in different continents. What stood out to me during this conversation was Sheggz mentioning to Bella that he would not tell her what was wrong, then proceeding to tell her it this wasn’t her fault, right after explaining what it meant to her, as she was unaware of the terms definition. He then goes on to claim that blue balls is akin to a woman’s menstrual cramps which is the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard this week. It’s a bit alarming that we’re not recognising harmful characteristics when they pop up, but Sheggz is literally playing one of the oldest tricks in the books. The level of manipulation that comes with that statement is beyond jarring because it’s right there. As viewers, there’s higher chances of seeing something the housemates don’t see but I’m a believer of not ignoring red flags and I’m worried that Bella will realise when it’s far too late. Send help to our girl, Biggie.

Listen to the “blue balls” conversation yourself. pic.twitter.com/xH4qPgpJeI

— xT. Rankïn’ ∆ 🏁 (@AfroVII) August 9, 2022

“Soro Soke” Is Not Just A Catch Phrase

Jackie Aina recently unveiled a new range of candles, “The Owambe Collection.” The scented candles were named “Mood Soft Life,” “No Wahala” and “Soro Soke,” playing on Nigerian terms that she believed were used colloquialy. However, she was wrong. While sore soke translates as Yoruba for “speak up,” it has also recently taken on new meaning among young Nigerians who adopted the saying into their lingo during the horrors of the EndSARS protests in 2020. While young Nigerians around the country took up placards, and took to the streets to protest a rogue anti-robbery unit and years of rot and corruption in the heart of the Nigerian system, they all united with one voice to chant “soro soke,” at their peers, oppressors and institutions who continue to perpetuate harm till this day.

As a young Nigerian affected by these issues, I can relate to the level of insensitivity that many of us are feeling at the moment. The horrors of October 20, 2020 is still fresh on the minds of many young Nigerians, as we continue to face increased challenges everyday from our leaders and law enforcement. It’s preposterous that a Nigerian living in the diaspora, after witnessing all those atrocities would then go on to utilise the name in their business. It hurts even more knowing that at the time of the protests, Jackie Aina did not speak up or post on this issue publicly which really irks many young Nigerians who see her latest move as a cash grab. In the past, Jackie Aina has been accused of only promoting Nigerian culture when it is convenient for her for profit and while she is a Nigerian herself, she’s not gone about immortalising the memories of the lives lost in a respectful and tasteful manner.

In the end, Jackie Aina had to issue an apology on her social media and pull down the product from the market and cease production immediately. She declined to respond to any comments or criticism and has since been reportedly blocking accounts who had been calling her out, sending the wrong message to an already dissatisfied crowd. In all of this, what stood out to me the most was even the unavailability of the product in Nigeria. If you’re going to be claim you were utilising the term for good then at least make the products available to those who chanted the words in protest merely two years ago. Nonetheless, she’s apologised now for the gross negligence so let’s just keep our fingers crossed that a similar case does not arise in the future, and Nigerians in the diaspora take their time to learn from their counterparts back on the continent. We really should be more united at a time of pain and loss for many across the Black African community.

Note from @jackieaina & @Forvrmood team. pic.twitter.com/IZPVOXThyU

— FORVR MOOD (@Forvrmood) August 5, 2022

Featured Image Credits/NATIVE