From the Naira redesign to BAT’s skits, it’s been yet another eventful month as a Nigerian living in Nigeria with my mental health at the receiving end of everything. I was more productive this month but could have pushed harder. I clocked one month at the gym on the 19th of this month, and I can only be proud of my consistency; results soon.
Let’s get into the business of the day.
My Spotify Wrapped
If I took a shot whenever someone told me they needed to get the iWatch or AirPods to get the best out of their iPhone, I’d be on my 69th bottle. Apple has made it so their devices can work with other tech brands, but to get access to exclusive features and for the best performance, all your gadgets must be Apple.
That’s the power of marketing (and sound engineering)
Your job as a business owner is to deliver an experience because, let’s face it, 100 other brands are offering the same services as you. But you get more chances of standing out if you can deliver multiple experiences. Experiences that are complimentary, not contrasting, or you risk confusing customers, eventually scaring them away.
A way to think about this is Jazzhole in Ikoyi - a spot for jazz music lovers. But in this place, you also get access to various books, vinyl and CDs. The whole aesthetic of the pace is calming and soothing. In there, you can also enjoy varieties of teas and coffee. They’re delivering a whole lot of complimentary experiences.
Coffee + Books + Jazz = Relaxing and Calming experience.
This is close to what Spotify is doing with Spotify Wrapped. For people who still need clarification about it, Spotify wrapped is a summary of your year based on your Spotify usage. Spotify curates lists of your most streamed songs to your most streamed album and artistes. It also tells your mood throughout the year based on those listens.
For most people, the kind of music they listen to depends on their moods. You get to know whether you spent most of your year heartbroken, happy or sad.
My Spotify Wrapped for 2022
Last year was all Wizkid and SDC, but Solace by Ajebo Hustlers was my most-played song, to my surprise. I’m a lazy person, so updating my playlist can be tedious, so I’m forced to listen to what I already have, which has made my music taste less and less adventurous year after year.
Predictions:
My Top 5 Songs:
Show Dem Camp - Apollo
J Hus - Deeper than rap
Hozier - From Eden
Asake - Dupe
Rema - Addicted
My Top 5 Genres:
Afrobeat
UK HipHop
Neo Mellow
Afro-pop
Dance-pop
My Top 5 Artistes:
Show Dem Camp
The Fray
J Hus
Hozier
Burna Boy
Results:
Music has become merely a necessary distraction for me. I wouldn’t say it’s my escape because it doesn’t save me on my sad days, but it still fills me with much enthusiasm and passion.
What is your Spotify Wrapped looking like? Let’s talk in the comments.
What I’ve been reading.
This Zikoko Naira Life of a 23 year old Software Quality Assurance Engineer who doesn’t mind black tax.
In this soul-crushing Vistanium piece, a couple families spoke about the 2022 floods and how it brought their lives to a halt and having to start from the scratch again.