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, Tomi Obanure, artist and founder of music collective Kinfxlk, talks to us about how he uses Obasanjo’s Internet.
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
I pray as soon as I get up then I head to the gym at 6am. After the gym with my brother Nathan, I shower and probably have breakfast. My schedule is different depending on what time of the year it is. For example, now I’m working on an album and it’s usually scheduling studio time and things like that.
How do you use the internet for work or pleasure?
I use it for both really. You know the internet has made the world a global village – that’s such a cliche thing to say but it’s facts. With my line of work, which is music, you’re able to showcase your talent and your music to the world with a few clicks. It also facilitates the user experience because they’re able to tap in with you at a moment’s notice either via Instagram live, tweeting, all those things. I use it for fun as well; social media, watch shows. But yeah, that’s pretty much it, man. It’s fantastic for both.
What moment or episode in your life would you say captured the essence of the internet?
I would say probably my 21st birthday which I spent indoors, but my social media was going crazy with people wishing me a happy birthday. It felt festive but it was all on my phone while I was in a dark room somewhere just reflecting. My social media looked like I was having a time in my life. So I would say that really encapsulates the modern day internet for me.
Your favourite social media platform and why?
Oh man, it’s like choosing between my kids. Honestly, it’s between Twitter and Instagram. It would have been a perfect answer if Threads actually took off the ground and worked properly because that would have been a perfect combination of both, but I would probably have to lean towards Twitter especially because I think the algorithm works better. You’re able to communicate quicker via words, the information spreads quicker on Twitter and you can still post pictures there.
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?
Wow. It was probably something on Twitter, probably a quote or a food take. It was fun at the start but then it quickly became annoying so I kind of just muted it whereas my phone was buzzing nonstop, you know. I would say it got overwhelming, just a bunch of people talking on and on and on.
What’s the most outrage you have ever generated over something you posted? How did you react to it?
drinking yellow garri is for criminals. https://t.co/VqzzQab09u
— ‘tomi (@tomiobanure) July 20, 2023
They came for me with pitchforks, but yeah, that’s my controversial take.
I just found it funny. I think I’ve got used to just kind of muting tweets when they get out of hand. I think I only reply to one person out of like, 4,000 people.
I think I was maybe a little bit ignorant but it’s my taste buds. I can’t argue with my taste buds.
What rules do you live by on the internet?
I try not to go on my phone first thing in the morning, I try to cut short my screen time. I try not to be extra personal on the internet which tends to be detrimental as an artist because you want to bring people in as much as possible and make them feel like they know you and things of that nature but I try as much as possible to bring a separate part of myself to the internet.
I don’t lend my voice to certain issues that I don’t fully comprehend. I’m not trying to offend anybody or step on anyone’s toes.
I never insult people’s physical appearance unless it’s like banter between my friends, things of that nature pretty much. I try not to be rude, you know.
What is your guiltiest online pleasure?
Right now I don’t watch Big Brother but there’s an account that tweets Big Brother highlights. The account tweets the fun things that happen in the house so I bookmark it then binge all of them later.
Would you say you have an online persona?
Yeah, for sure. There’s a way people view me online and when they meet me in person and it’s like,” wow, you’re nothing like that person”. There are certain nicknames I have online because of music which portray me as this mean guy but I’m really a sweetheart in person.
What’s your favourite emoji and why?
Right now, my favourite emoji is the face that’s blowing out smoke. So that one is, like, “oouf” so that’s in my head when I post that. Also the hand making a heart emoji because I dropped a project recently.
Are you particular about your feed?
Yes. I have carefully curated exactly what I want to see. If I have someone who makes me follow them – because I’ve had people do that and watch to ensure I follow them – I mute them when I leave because I don’t really know them. I only see what I want to see and you know how Twitter now has the “following” and “for you” column? Sometimes I get things I don’t want to see so I kind of just block it.
YouTube or TikTok? Which do you prefer and why?
MAN. You know what? TikTok has taught me so much. I never thought I’d be like a TikTok uncle. I used to laugh at people when they say they’ve been on TikTok for an hour but TikTok is so informative. A lot of shows I watch now are based on TikTok recommendations.
I love YouTube because I’m a serious nerd. With movies in general, I watch what they call “breakdowns” where a host explains the plot in detail, Easter eggs, you know, the little details you might have missed, the reason for the score, the way it was, how it was composed, how it links with other universes. So I enjoy watching those and YouTube’s interface allows it to go on longer.
So I would say right now, YouTube over TikTok for sure. But as far as rapid video sharing and things like that, omo, Tiktok is in the lead for that one oh. No one really goes to YouTube like that to post dance videos and things like that. TikTok has grabbed that market from them, I would say.
Which Nigerian creator do you think the world needs to see and hear more of?
I would definitely say my brother Nathan, he’s spelt NVTHY. He’s a partner in my collective, Kinfxlk. Nathan is like a multidisciplinary artist; he directs, makes music, and he’s a stylist. He’s all-encompassing and he’s creatively involved in everything I do. Nigerians need to pay more attention to Nathan, NVTHY, across all platforms.
We need to pay more attention to Tomi Obanure man! Shoutout to Tomi Obanure, he’s a great guy! He just dropped a project, Wouldn’t Be Here Without You. Go check that out. It’s amazing. I love that guy.
Who is the coolest person you follow and the coolest person who follows you?
I’ll say my mum, she’s the coolest person I follow on Instagram. Her IG is very minimalist, you know, she’s a cutie.
The coolest person who follows me is my brother Odumodublvck. Yeah, that’s my guy, man. Started from the bottom and my boy is on top right now.
What is your favourite Nigerian podcast?
Big Talk. They’re one of the biggest podcasts in Nigeria, definitely in Abuja. We love what they do. They’re amazing and they shine a spotlight on Abuja artists especially. Everyone you can think of has been on Big Talks podcast and I just love how they make you feel at home in their space.
Have you ever hooked up with someone you met online? Did you regret it?
Do not kill me. I mean, nowadays you kind of meet everyone online, don’t you? Everyone is probably off Instagram, DMs happen, phone numbers get collected, all of that. Yeah, so of course, through meeting people you’re definitely gonna have great memories and great times and not-so-great memories, right? I have both enjoyed and regretted meeting certain people. Yeah, I have definitely not enjoyed meeting certain people online but yeah, man, thank God for the internet.
5 people you’d love to see answer these questions
I would like to see Damilola, Nathan, Odumodu, SGaWD and Sally.
Read previous Obasanjo’s Internet entries here.