Feature Archives

Feature

Explainers, analyses, and essays on government policies, and political trends and movements around the continent

Faridah Folawiyo’s Year of Yes

A recurring theme in Folawiyo’s discussion of her work is accessibility, not as a marketing term but as something closer to a personal correction.

Anjola Akinmade

2 months ago

Taiwo “Ogogo” Hassan, The Custodian of Action and Nollywood’s Voice of Reason

Nollywood actor Taiwo “Ogogo” Hassan, who has died aged 66 of an unnamed cancer, inspired Nigerian film audiences and industry practitioners with his commanding performances and recorded goodwill. The actor who has stayed away from mainstream attention and conversation was the face of recent conversation after one of his daughters posted a video detailing the […]

Seyi Lasisi

1 month ago

“Starrgirl”: Ayra Starr Trades Becoming for Being

In Starrgirl, Ayra Starr does not ask you to reconsider Ayra Starr. She assumes you already know who she is and expects you to keep up. The title alone sends listeners a message before they press play. Her first two records were titled around age — 19 & Dangerous introduced a fearless, fast-talking teenager; The […]

Anjola Akinmade

1 month ago

Mid-Year Review: The 10 Best Nigerian Songs of 2026

In the spirit of culture curation, Culture Custodian has put together a list of the best songs of 2026, so far.

John Eriomala

3 months ago

What Exactly Is All This Sex Doing in Blood Sisters?

Blood Sisters Understands That Sex Can Tell a Story. It Just Doesn’t Always Know What Story It’s Telling.

Naomi Ezenwa

4 months ago

The Impact of Stan Culture on Nigerian Music

The Nigerian music industry, once a budding scene, has blossomed into a global powerhouse, propelled by the infectious rhythms of Afrobeats. This evolution has been nothing short of remarkable, witnessing the rise of visionary producers like Sarz and Kiddominant, whose beats have captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. Equally impressive are the record labels that […]

3 years ago

Interview: Taves Is Not Your Regular Afrobeats Artist

In recent times, the Nigerian music industry has seen artists pick and run with Afrobeats, extending the reach of the sound that has since gone global. Amid this gravitation to Afrobeats, Taves has remained resolute on his preferred genre; RnB. Unfazed by the influences of Afrobeats. Born Aluko Toluwanimi, Taves embarked on his songwriting journey […]

3 years ago

Review: Kizz Daniel Struggles For Consistency On “TZA”

Kizz Daniel’s new EP, TZA (short for Thankz Alot) is named like it was given a working title as it was created, a disposable title that nobody bothered to change. It was released along with some landmark details from Kizz Daniels’ personal life: the introduction of his wife to the public for the first time, […]

3 years ago

Obasanjo’s Internet – Emmanuel Owoniyi

Did you know that there are approximately 4.66 billion active Internet users worldwide? Can you imagine all the different ways in which we all use the internet? Obasanjo’s Internet is our interview series where we speak to some of our Internet favorites on how they relate to the internet and what it means to them […]

Damilola Oyeleke

3 years ago

“Afrobeats” And The Future Of Nigerian Music

Nigerian music has set the world alight in the last half-decade, with the biggest of its wins coming under the moniker Afrobeats, its foreign-given nickname. As it approaches the golden age of its existence so far, some of Nigerian music’s biggest artists have started to express reservations about continuing under this name. Burna Boy sparked […]

3 years ago

Interview: Tolu Obanro Discusses The Art of Film Scoring In “A Tribe Called Judah”

As New Nollywood continues to evolve, filmmakers become more intentional about the technical aspects of their productions. One of Nollywood’s fast-growing film scorers, Tolu Obanro, is known for his nuanced approach to the sound department of filmmaking. Having worked with filmmakers Niyi Akinmolayan and Jadesola Osiberu on Nollywood hits, Gangs of Lagos, Jagun Jagun and […]

3 years ago

11 Books We’re Looking Forward To in 2024

2023 held several significant moments for Nigerian literature. Ayobami Adebayo’s A Spell of Good Things was longlisted for the Booker Prize, awarded to fiction books published in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, making her the only African writer on the longlist. Arinze Ifeakandu won the Dylan Thomas Prize for his short story […]

Culture Custodian Editorial Team

3 years ago

Interview: Owobo Ogunde On Embodying Baṣorun Ogunjimi in “Aníkúlápó: Rise of the Spectre”

It’s late on a Wednesday evening when the conversation begins. From somewhere in London, his charismatic voice seeps in on the phone, its silky, energetic accent dousing any fatigue left of the dying day. The personality behind the voice is Owobo Ogunde, the youngest son of late Hubert Ogunde who is the doyen of Nigerian […]

3 years ago