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 favourites on how they relate to the internet and what it means to them and their work. This week, Bolarinwa Olaniyan, co-host of Afrobeats podcast, With An S and founder of music entertainment platform Crowd Control talks to us about how he uses Obasanjo’s Internet.
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
I think I checked my emails first just to see if everything is ok and to see if I missed any news cause the world never stops. Then I like to say a word of prayer like “thank you God for life” or “thank you God for waking me up.” Depending on my day, sometimes I go back to bed if I don’t have to be up. If I have to go to work or if I have a meeting or something, then of course, get ready for the day.
How do you use the internet for work or pleasure?
Both, definitely. You have to balance it out. It can’t always be serious but at the same time, you have to use the internet for entertainment.
What moment or episode in your life would you say captured the essence of the internet?
That’s a very good question. Probably my teenage years when I was in secondary school. Those years when Facebook and Twitter came out were just very – it was almost like we were the ones that I came up with it. Those were fun times. Everyone wasn’t so serious. I’ll say that period because it was like the big boom and all, when everyone was really into social media.
Your favourite social media platform and why?
That’s actually tough. I think it’s a toss up. Everything is used for different things. If it’s for information and entertainment, definitely Twitter. I’m one of those people who can’t believe Twitter is free because brah, people are so funny, especially Nigerians. Every time I’m going through my tl I’m always just chuckling like bro, what’s wrong with you people? What is going on here? But yeah, if it’s for news and entertainment I’d say Twitter. Insta is cool as well. I go to Instagram for videos and stuff. I have a platform on insta for example and there’re just a lot of things to do. I’d say those two.
What was the last meme you saved?
Do you remember the first time something you posted went viral? What was it? How did it make you feel
So there was this time, I think I was in University, me and my friend were going to McDonald’s. So one of my other friends sent a snap of himself at the gym then I responded with a snap of the McDonalds sign and put a G and Y as a prefix to “McDonald’s” so it spelt “GYMcDonalds” and wrote something like “gains,” as a caption. I wasn’t even the one who posted it on Twitter, someone just posted it and tagged me cause he saw it on my snap and took a screenshot. It blew up.
What’s the most outrage you have ever generated over something you posted? How did you react to it?
It’s probably football or music takes. It’s never been anything too deep. I stay away from controversial stuff, I can’t lie.
What rules do you live by on the internet?
Stay in your lane. That’s the thing, all my accounts are public but whatever I want you to see is what you’re going to see.
What is your guiltiest online pleasure?
I’d have to say the whole of Twitter. It’s just a fun app. People are mad on Twitter. Most days I just go and see what guys are saying and I’ll find something to laugh about. So when I want to laugh I go on Twitter.
Would you say you have an online persona?
Probably, actually. I feel like I come across as extremely bubbly and always happy. Is that the reality? I don’t think I’m as bubbly as people believe I am or people that don’t know me think I am.
What’s your favourite emoji and why?
Quite a few I can’t lie. I’d just say the one with the fake smile. It’s just very … there.
Are you particular about your feed?
I won’t say I’m particular but I think it’s just very natural. A lot of things on my feed are football and music related – and food related actually. I’ve clocked that I’m a – let me not say foodie – but foodie, at the same time. Those three are things that dominate my feed.
Youtube or TikTok? Which do you prefer and why?
I’d say YouTube because I watch a lot of stuff on YouTube. I don’t use TikTok. I have an account but I’m on tiktok maybe once every month just to see what people have sent.
Which Nigerian creator do you think the world needs to see and hear more of?
Deji Osikoya. He’s a very funny guy, he can act, he’s also a good podcaster. He’s a talented young man.
Who is the coolest person you follow and the coolest person who follows you?
Hmm I can’t remember if any cool person follows me but I follow a lot of cool people.
What is your favourite Nigerian podcast?
Ah c’mon. With An S, an Afrobeats podcast. Actually, the coolest people I follow would be Sharon, Moyo and Deji, who are the co-hosts of With An S alongside me. I’m on it with cool people. Shout out to Learn The Game podcast as well, it’s a football podcast I’m also a part of.
Have you ever hooked up with someone you met online?
I’m screaming. Yes. I think anyone that says no in this day and age is lying. I tend to try not to regret stuff in life, I guess everything happens for a reason. So, just to learn, rather than to regret. So, yeah, I’ll say I have not regretted it.
5 people you’d love to see answer these questions
Layi Wasabi, Iwobi and Calvin Bassey, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Read previous Obasanjo’s Internet entries here.