DAY 5: 5 CITIES I WOULD LOVE TO VISIT
1) NEW YORK AND COMPTON-
Hey, hollup! Before you think I’m greedy and that I’m including two cities in one - I am actually not, technically. Truth is, if you’re a Hip Hop head like me, then you’ll understand the significance of these two cities to what we know today as Rap music.
In fact, Hip Hop actually started in the 1970s in the New York area with rap groups like A TRIBE CALLED QUEST, and rap artistes like LL COOL J leading the way. However, not so long after, there was an emergence of Hip Hop in the West Coast Scene, buoyed by Compton’s N.W.A, (the ever dynamic) Snoop Doggy Dogg, Tupac Shakur, Nate Dogg and so many others.
It was, however, this overall fight for the more dominant and influential Hip Hop "coast" that led to what is now popularly termed the "East Coast/West Coast Rivalry", with (as you should know) Tupac Shakur and The Notorious Big paying the " ultimate sacrifice".
So, as a HUGE HIP HOP FAN, I definitely want to go to both New York and Compton, because really, JAY Z and KENDRICK LAMAR are from Brooklyn (New York) and Compton respectively, and need I say I LOVE THE FUCK OUT OF THEM! (Is this the part where I input "No homo"? 😐)
2) SILICON VALLEY-
Two things anyone should know about me already; I LOVE HIP HOP AND TECH (Hey TRACE TV, I’ve got nothing on you). So, if I emphasised how much I would going to the cities were HIP HOP was birthed, its only right I complete the puzzle by also emphasising how badly I would love to go to Silicon Valley.
Ever since I picked up that Fortune Magazine (at 13?) the sheer understanding of how Technology can change the world has stuck to my mind like a glue, and sincerely, I have never been able to let go. So, its only right, that if I was picking cities to visit, I talk about visiting Technology’s de facto headquarters - SILICON VALLEY!
3) EFON- ALAAYE, EKITI STATE, NIGERIA -
Ladies and Gentlemen, I shit you not, that (beautiful) place is not a figment of my imagination. And last I checked there was no (internationally recognised) world wonder in that town.
However, that - Efon Alaaye - is actually my own Wakanda (That word again 🤦🏾♂). That is WHERE I COME FROM (That my FATHER AND MOTHER comes from, actually). And you know what? I HAVE NEVER EVEN BEEN THERE! EVER!
(* Reader begins to hurl insults at writer *).
I know. I know. "I don mess up". But, please don’t put all of the blame on me. Put some on my Father, too. Word 'in the house' is that Popsy "vexed and left" after his mum passed on, and as the only child he didn’t feel the vibe to go back home, nor take his children there (His Dad had earlier passed on too).
So you see. But, truth is, I scarcely have any excuses now seeing as I am a "grown ass man" myself. And so, on that auspicious note, I would like to say "Efon Alaaye folks, EXPECT THE HOME BOY SOON. VERY SOON!" (Y’all better Pound me some confirm Yam). 🤗
4) JAPAN-
I really can’t say how much I love the Asian culture in general. I love the Asian work ethic, their long term outlook on life, and their deep understand of communal views and the things that make society tick. And, if I was granted a 'blank' Passport to travel to Asian country, it defo has to be Japan. Japan specifically because I’m always awe struck at how fast the Japanese people roll up their sleeves and get to work.
Consider Hiroshima and Nagasaki and all the terrible terrible 8. something magnitude Earthquakes that has taken place in that country over the years, and yet, the Japanese people (and indeed the Japanese economy) is still standing strong.
Indeed, there’s this running joke in my house (that my brother always tells actually) about how the average Japanese man works from morning till midnight, save for 2 hour intermittent breaks which he uses in playing snooker. Now I don’t know how true that is, but I defo want to VERIFY.
(Oya Japanese Embassy, now that I have given you people free publicity, WHERE IS MY "PASSPORT AND VISA" 😂).
5) NAIROBI-
“I LIVE AND DIE IN AFRICA". I used that as a caption on a picture I posted on Instagram sometime last year. I still believe deeply in those words, even as they are culled from the songs of one my favourite African artistes - SAUTI SOL.
I do deeply love Africa, every inch and bit of it, and if there’s any African city I would love to have my first stop, it has to be NAIROBI. Something just draws me to the "Safari Capital of the World". The, as they call it, "Green city in the sun". And, word on the street is that Kenyan women love Nigerian men. So, if not, why not?
P.S- Earlier this year, one major “New Year Resolution”( I must be the last person in the world still making those) of mine was to spend Christmas in Nairobi. I even told everybody in my house I wouldn’t be spending Christmas in Naij. But, seeing as my current account balance can’t get me anywhere, I guess I’ll just have to ‘re-resolute’. Hopefully, 2019 is more financially rewarding. (And this year is not even over sef. So…)


