UK-based rapper, Tinie Tempah was spied out and about on the streets of Lagos last month, and now we know why, with his editorial for ThisDay Style Magazine‘s latest issue just revealed.
The street style shoot, entitled “Tinie Tempah: Disturbing Lagos” was lensed by singer and celebrity photographer Ty Bello, who revealed the shots last night on Instagram, saying;
“Oga Tinie… Disturbing Lagos Keh..? You sure? My hand no dey o… We no dey do that kine ruff play for here o.
I’ve photographed so many international celebrities in this town.. From Beyonce to Arnold Schwarzenegger … I was looking through my archives the other day and said to my self .. Never again..! Never in some fancy hotel room that could have been anywhere else on the planet.
There’s no where like Lagos and If they ever cross my path again I’ll drag them out to where they can touch and feel My Lagos …And fall in love with it.”
The admission is the inspiration behind the outdoor setting of the shoot, wherein Tinie is seen in his signature sleek-yet-street style, rocking pieces by the Okunoren Twins (who shared behind-the-scenes shots of the fittings), sitting inside a Danfo and walking the roads.
Ty continued;
“…When I was asked to meet up with @tiniegram at his hotel I was like …Lai-Lai!! Abeg bring the man to Yaba and let’s shoot this something!
I love lagos… I won’t lie… The streets are a literal photographer’s paradise… Everywhere you turn there’s a story waiting to be told… textures waiting to be shot and characters waiting to be explored …It’s hard for me to make a bad picture when my spirit is really open on the streets. I can just stand there and magic walks into my frame.
The beautiful bread seller in the red dress in one of my edits for instance ..You know her Abi?.. That one that every one on the street wants to marry .. She’s fine and she knows it. its all over how she walks and I know you’ve seen her before .
Or how like over here ..,you can’t park your car on the roadside without someone checking themselves out in your side mirror .. Lagosians don’t play with their fashion!”
Addressing anyone that didn’t like the backdrop for Tinie’s shoot, Ms Bello said;
“Someone accused me of dragging@tiniegram on the streets…That I should have taken him to somewhere ‘prettier ‘…My response: So you haven’t heard…? The street is where it’s happening o…
You haven’t seen pretty till you’ve seen the sun set in the quiet corners of Surulere …You’re missing out on a unique love vibe if you haven’t taken her for a walk in railway compound… And if you only exist where freshly baked, steamy Agege bread is completely out of reach… You may have to consider reorganising it all… I mean …What’s the point!”
As fellow admirers of our home city, Lagos, Team SPICE agree with the photographer and love the shots she captured. But what do you think?
Tell us if you love the street setting of Tine Tempah’s “Disturbing Lagos” shoot for ThisDay Style in the comments box below, or online @SPICETVAFRICA.
Image source: @Thisdaystyle, Onobello.com, @Okunoren
