Since the coronavirus lockdown took effect in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja, Nigerians have had to turn to social media more than ever to remain connected, entertained and informed.
The lockdown gave Nigerians the opportunity to explore social media in a way that they never have. Social Media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, also had to adapt quickly to the new demand that a global lockdown had created on their platforms.
An explosion in the use of the Live feature on platforms like Instagram, Facebook reintroducing it’s live feature with an opportunity for monetization, Youtube Live also being launched, are only a few of the recent technical developments of these social media platforms. TikTok, a Chinese video sharing platform owned by ByteDance, which has been in existence since 2016, finally recorded wide spread use amongst Nigerians since the lockdown began.
Houseparty, a ‘hangout’, video chatting app, which was initially released in 2016, has also due to the pandemic, seen a surge in use and downloads. In March 2020, it became the sixth most downloaded app in the United States, Canada and a couple of other countries.
The lockdown calls for isolation and distancing, and also, a need to feel connected. Though people cannot go to parties, visit friends or go ‘outside’, the situation, has called for people to have fun ‘inside’
This has also been an opportunity to showcase a range in creativity and skill, by not only Nigerians celebrities but their fans as well. While before now, skits were the exclusive purview of Instagram comedians, the space has blown open, primarily with the use of TikTok, for almost everyone to create their own content.
Toke Makinwa, Beverly Naya, Tiwa Savage, Don Jazzy are only a few celebrities who have embraced the TikTok app. While the content of these videos may not be serious, they are funny enough to keep the audience engaged and coming back for more.
There have also been Instagram Live battles by some of the biggest music producers in Nigeria. Leriq and Chopstixx, Sarz and Shizzi are some of the few producers that went toe to toe in a battle of hits all for their fans to see on Instagram Live.
The emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic has led to the postponement of several concerts and events. This has however necessitated the creation of an alternative, with artistes exploring new ways of connecting with their fans. The Instagram and YouTube Live features have been greatly explored during the lockdown, becoming a viable alternative to having a concert like event right from the house.
Asa, who was supposed to have a concert, “Asa Live in Lagos”, on April 11, is one of the artists that has organized a concert from her house using YouTube Live.
Cobhams also on Sunday, April 26, hosted the world from his house with YouTube Live, where he had his show.
Some of these live sessions have seen everything from 10,000 views to up to 20,000 and more views. In spite of the restraint on available resources for data, Nigerians are online and watching these videos.
Every piece of content has a viral potential now because people are bored and have nothing better to do than scroll through their phones for hours on end, looking for entertainment.
The way that people relate with social media, as well as relate with their celebrities on social media has changed forever. There is now a new found intimacy in the relationship between public figures and social media users. There is behind the scenes quality to these videos that further endears the stars to their fans. The lockdown has created an avenue for ‘lifting the curtain’ to see and connect with these stars in a way that would otherwise not have happened.
Platforms like Tiktok have emerged and are taking center stage in social media use with over 800 million users online. Entertainers are finding creative ways to stay in touch with their audience and stay relevant in spite of the restrictions in place.
Will they maintain this creative energy once things return to ‘normal’?
The post How Nigerian Celebrities Are Using Social Media During Lockdown appeared first on Nigerian Entertainment Today.
by 208headlines