A recap of all the drama and trends of 2022!
You could say 2022 slapped, as Will Smith would agree. The year was full of shocks, wins and of course, drama.
From Asake achieving unprecedented milestones in music, to unlikely celebrities tying the knot, here are the pop culture moments that defined 2022:
1. The Will Smith Slap Happened
During the Academy Awards, aka the Oscars, Will Smith gave Chris Rock a dirty slap for joking about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith’s lack of hair.
An act that shocked the world and yet blessed us with another meme.
2. Jackie Aina’s Sòrò Sókè Candles ‘Got Burnt’
About two months before the two-year memorial of the national heroes whose lives were lost at the Lekki Toll Gate during the End SARS protest,
Jackie Aina thought it was a good idea to name her scented candles Sòrò Sókè. Obviously, the Sòrò Sókè generation was not impressed and she eventually withdrew it from her collection.
3. Davido Made History With FIFA
Davido reemerged to break the record as the first Nigerian artist to feature in a FIFA song.
He also performed in the FIFA World Cup closing ceremony in Qatar.
4. Asake Was On A Hit Song Spree
After one hit song was another. Asake dominated the charts and we were overfed.
So much so that even B.A.T, used one of his hits, Organize, as proof of fitness on a workout bicycle.
5. Tems Worked With Marvel, Beyonce and Rihanna In The Same Year
Tems was and still is that girl. Apart from bagging two BET Awards, she worked with Beyonce on her Renaissance album, with Rihanna for Black Panther and covered a Bob Marley song for the same movie.
In the words of Beyonce, that bag getting larger!
6. Rita Dominic Got Hitched
And that was one news we did not see coming. In April, Rita Dominic tied the knot with her boo, Fidelis Anosike, founder of the Folio Media Group.
Well, “Never say never,” as the saying goes.
7. Tobi Amusan Made History
Tobi is the golden running history-maker. Not only did she beat the previous Women’s 100m hurdles world record, but she also broke her own record in the finals.
Her world-record-breaking sprint also established her as the first Nigerian World Champion, male or female. Iconic!
8. Asisat Oshoala Proved To Be An ‘Agba Baller’
Asisat Oshoala became the first African female footballer to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or in August. Then she added two goals and two assists to help Barcelona win a record-breaking 9-0 over an opponent.
That victory turned out to be a pop culture moment when the FC hailed as Agba Baller. Things we love to see.
9. Meghan Markle Found Her Naija Roots
Apparently, the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle is 43% Nigerian. Quite fitting, considering the difficulties she has been facing as a daughter-in-law can be an original Nollywood film.
What Nigerian name would you give her, though?
10. Stefflon Don Served Burna Boy Breakfast
And we owe her our sincere appreciation; else, Last Last would not have become a beloved breakfast anthem.
11. There Was A Lot Of Influencer Brouhaha
I mean, is it really the end of the year if there aren’t at least one or two influencer dramas? First, it was Papaya Ex vs. Gistlover, and then Papaya vs. Bobrisky.
Long live the drama and PR gimmicks!
12. The Real Housewives of Lagos Happened
Six ladies fed us hot pepper for three solid months, and there was more than enough content for the internet. From day one, Tiannah, Laura, Chioma, Iyabo-Ojo, Mariam, and Carolyn surpassed expectations. It’s hardly surprising that the reality tv show surpassed the streaming record for Showmax’s first day of viewing.
