Lanre Aluko: Love and Freedom

You may consider it a curse that the bulk of us will not suffer from amnesia. As a result, nothing we see will ever be unseen and nothing we hear can never be unheard. We may forget for days, or minutes or seconds, but the memories remain, lurking in the shadows.  I've found people to be evasive. We are all aware about the issues of the world but we prefer to turn a blind eye to them. If they are not in sight, then they are not in mind, and even if they should by some unfortunate incident enter our line of sight, we look the other way and forget about them the moment they leave it. We are the shapers of the world and the victims and creators of conformity. Even though we are restricted by it, we hold the whip ourselves, chastising those who ignore the rules we've created. We are like slaves who punish others for being free. I find these people who express themselves in defiance of all the world's muteness inspiring.

Lanre Aluko (@Jazzofficial) is a 21 year old fashion blogger, musician, singer, song writer, personal shopper, and employee of the Bank of America. He runs a blog (http://lanrealuko.blogspot.co.uk) where he documents his hustle, one outfit at a time. It is perhaps this that has gained him the most notoriety, for several of his clothing choices are so compelling that once they have been seen, those who have seen them are forced to discuss them and what they may or may not imply for the rest of the day.

Rather than contribute ill formed thoughts to the rumour mill, I decided to ask him for an interview, that we may better understand the reasons behind his choices. I didn't expect him to agree to it, for those criticised as violently as he is, are often reluctant to discuss the reasons for their criticism. 

I wasn't at all surprised to find that he was guarded. After everything that has been said about him, it is admirable that everyday without fail, he releases pictures of whatever it is he is wearing, knowing full well that his adoring public may not be adoring at all. It is this that I find inspiring about him, not his sense of style. The only thing commendable about his sense of style is that he has one. Being stylish isn't synonymous with being fashionable, trendy, or tasteful. But it is likely that if you were to see him out and about in the real world, and not on your laptop or phone screen, you wouldn't dislike his outfits as much. He has a certain confidence about him that makes me believe that he is extremely capable of pulling them off. Of his critics, he says, "All I can say is there are some passionately crazy people out there. It's sad that I use all my energy to chase my dreams while some use all of theirs to follow my progress and hate on little ole me." He converts their crazy into further motivation. It is no surprise he is so composed, for he lost his father just before his final year exams at Loughborough. He describes the loss of his father as his greatest struggle, but even in that he is positive. 

"It was awful, but God has a way of turning our pain into blessings! It was the period where I learnt to love myself and move on in life. I started this journey by losing 60 pounds"

60 pounds is approximately 27 kilograms. 

The before's on the left and the after's on the right. He lost his weight by going on a diet and adhering to a strict fitness program. The picture on the right was taken at London Fashion Week. It is perhaps his favourite look.

He counts learning to love himself among his greatest achievements, and I agree, for if you cannot love yourself flaws and all, then you cannot expect anyone else to do the same. This is perhaps the reason why he is so fond of Whitney Houston as it was she who popularised the lyrics, "learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all." He calls Whitney Houston and God his greatest inspirations. 

His dreams are numerous. While most would expect that he reduce the number of his artistic dalliances as he advances, he focuses on all of them with a single minded intensity. "Fashion is 'Lanre Aluko'. It's simply who I am, and so is music. They're both parts of my core, and my heart! I am just being myself."

On the music front, Lanre has released two mix tapes - Memoirs and Freedom, and a number of singles. When he isn't recording original material, he can be found on youtube, singing well known ballads to his webcam. His voice is remarkably similar to his style as they both boast of a complete disregard of all thoughts of moderation. He powers through every note with all the subtlety of a tractor dragging a plough. At the end of every performance, you cannot doubt that he has a good voice even if you may have had to turn down the volume on your laptop three or more times. 

I asked what influenced his artistic choices, and he said, "love and freedom". While I cannot say anything about love, for it is relatively difficult to convey how love has influenced you over the internet, and to tell such personal information to a complete stranger. I didn't press him on the issue. However, it is easy to see how he is influenced by the concept of freedom. Everything he does, is a proclamation of just how free and unrestricted he is. 

He has several plans for the future. I for one await what he's got up his sleeve (musically, fashion wise and stylistically) with bated breath.

Happy Days,

Afam.