But when you mix the two? That’s when addiction sets in. Let me check my own symptoms. See if you relate.

You live in the city, but you still need to know who embarrassed whom at the last village development meeting. Popular media gave you the world, but bush entertainment keeps you rooted .

I’ve realized something uncomfortable:

One minute you’re watching a BBC documentary on Lagos street life. The next, you’re deep into a Kenyan YouTuber’s “day in the life of a goat farmer.” Then a Cardi B interview. Then a Ghanaian pastor prophesying over a Mercedes. You can’t pick a lane.

Fast forward to today, and I’m three hours deep into a YouTube rabbit hole of reaction videos to Nollywood classics, pausing only to scroll Instagram Reels of Kenyan comedians and South African amapiano dancers.

You know that TikTok audio of the old man dancing at a rural wedding? Or the clip of a market woman roasting a politician’s wig? You’ve watched it 15 times. Not ironically. Because it feels real .