Nigerians redefine soft life amidst performances at Griots and Bards
By Editor
A collective of upwardly mobile Nigerians converged at Griots and Bards, a monthly meet-up event at RapJoint Lagos last Thursday. The event, anchored by its convener, Adebola Afolabi (REZAfolabi) and Sewande Cadmus explored the topic, ‘Soft Life: Redefining Ease in a World of Hustle.’ Soft life, a word originated from Nigeria, means a lifestyle of ease and pleasure.
However, many members differed on what soft life means to them. While some felt it was getting away from or reducing the daily pressures of living in the city, others felt soft life meant finding fulfillment in focusing on their passions instead of aligning with cultural expectations.
Kayo, a business development executive said, “soft life means having to eat whatever I want. I love to cook and treat myself to delicious meals. I also prefer to shut down my phones during the weekends so that I can rest and avoid the intrusion of clients into my weekend.” She stated that soft life is aspirational for her and she has decided to celebrate her current gains without taking her eyes off her vision.
Ada, a real estate expert said that she chose soft life because she wanted to break the tradition of the first born being the family’s burden bearer. “For many years, I would strive and stress over my siblings and relatives. I would look after many people before myself and it was leading to negative emotional outcomes. Last year, I decided to enjoy myself and to prioritise selfcare.”
Rafiat Gawat, a communications expert and a GAB regular, said that she realised that she has to enjoy the fruits of her labour while also working hard to build a future. “I can wake up at 3.00am and start looking for where to order lobster. I will ask people to go and look for it for me. Life is short and so it is best to enjoy it while alive.”
Mohammed, a tech start-up advisor, agreed with Rafiat when he said, “I have a sprinkle of white hair on my head as you can all see. This makes people urge me to relax more instead of stressing myself. I have had it since I was 21. The truth is I avoid anything that will take my peace. I go out to eat what I like; I don’t joke with my sleep. I realise that a man can die anytime; so it is important to consciously live happily.”
Upwardly mobile Nigerians socialising at Griots and Bards, Lagos
REZAfolabi interjected by saying that social media has contributed to the soft life phenomenom as many men and woman are preferring to be pampered, to show off their travels and dapper lifestyles despite the worsening economic realities.
“I can see that many GABities are living the responsible kind of soft life, or are evading the “pepper them” kind of soft life that many Nigerians display on their social media,” REZAfolabi. “This is definitely not the soft life people portray on social media.”
Opemipo Akinsemoyin, a banker and writer, said that one’s social class would boldly contribute to the extent to which one could live a soft life, adding, “Many (people) don’t even know where Santorini is; they are looking for the basic needs. So I believe contentment is key to living a softlife at the level that you find yourself.”
Lending his voice, a writer and popular book reviewer, Evidence Adjarho, said, “For me, soft life is doing things because I want to and not because I have to. It has nothing to do with beating capitalist.”
However, media consultant and culture influencer, Femi Morgan, stated that Nigerians should be weary of hedonism, escapism and abdicating their responsibilities in the name of soft life. He stressed that while contentment and enjoyment cannot be discarded, all young people should be prepared to embrace the challenges that life brings at different phases.
Eclectic music performances came from alternative maestros: Tosin Music and Toni the Emperor while Habeeb Ajijola, Romanus delivered reverberating poetry performances. A short operatic play, Oga Landlord was staged by Nneameka and her group, curators of Love Is the musical.
Meanwhile, lawyer and researcher, Nen Kangmun, thanked the group for supporting her to return to Lagos after she took leave of her job, noting, “I don’t like Lagos but I miss GAB. It has become my family and I have fallen in love with it. When I resigned my job and left for Jos, Plateau, there was no string attached to Lagos except GAB. I had to return to Lagos. I went to members of GAB who helped me with the job search. It is a safe space with great people who are willing to support you anytime.”
At the end of event, REZAfolabi told journalists that “GAB is beyond conversations, poetry, music and dramatic monologues. It is where the intellectual depth of an Oxford debate meets the raw, real-world insights of street-corner conversations, combined with the creativity of open mic performances, the networking opportunities of industry meet-ups, and the transformative impact of a group therapy session.”
