City Guide: DJ ECool's Guide To Lagos

DIASPORA—In our series City Guide, we ask our favorite musicians, actors, artists and celebrities what their go-to spots are in their hometown.

In this latest installment, we link up with Nigerian-American producer DJ ECool, who's known for being Davido's official DJ, as well as for his hilarious Instagram videos.

Get a taste of DJ ECool favorites Lagos hangouts below and make sure to check out his latest single, "Give Dem," alongside Danagog and Selasi.

Favorite nightspot

If I had to select a favorite, I would go with Quilox. You'll find this place to be full of plush velvet couches and chairs, absolutely delicious martinis and an eclectic style anyone would love. The music played here is some of the best in Lagos and the décor includes huge vintage posters that resemble a blend of European salon style. Overall the club portrays a sense of class and culture that makes it easy to be captivated.

Best place to get a drink

The best place to get a drink would be Shisha Room. Over there you can expect fresh, house-made ingredients and an expansive cocktail list that evolves with the seasons. The place offers a plethora of spirits and wines. In addition, the live music sets the tone for a relaxed night with good friends.

Best restaurant

Best restaurant selection would have to go to Utopia, with its outdoor rooftop patio, offering an elegant assortment of small plates, delicious cocktails, homemade drinks and live music. I've experienced some of the best lobster I have ever had at Utopia making it easy to tell that the selections are thoughtfully executed. The restaurant also offers a condensed list of food and drinks, which enables laser-like focus on quality over quantity.

Best spot to take a date

I would say, romance is like beauty and is essentially in the eyes of the beholder. For some, a romantic date is an evening stroll on the beach. For others, it's a night out on the town and for more sporting couples, it's a day out in nature or on the golf course. However, I would say the beach, specially Ilashe Beach, would be a great place to take a date. There is often much anxiety and over-thinking about where to take a date, those first jitters can be relieved by going on a beach date. The ocean naturally puts you both at ease and instantly creates a fun atmosphere.

Stream DJ ECool's latest single, "Give Dem," featuring Danagog and Selasi

Best outdoor activity

Generally I love sports but I would say playing football is my favorite outdoor activity to partake in. Although it can be a rough sport, something about it is soothing to me. In addition, the adrenaline rushes help with stress release. It is also a great for a work out due to the intensity and range of movements involved in the game, including kicks, twists, turns and throws. Not to mention football is also great at helping to maintain a healthy level of endorphins. Although I don't get to enjoy playing the sport often, it is my favorite thing to do when I get a chance.

Best place to write music

For me, it's not a geographic location I am looking for when I am trying to write music. Instead, I am looking for an emotion, a location within ourselves, whether it's inspiration, tranquility, hope, anger, sadness, or so on. I do enjoy being in the studio, collaborating with others, and just having people around to help cultivate my thoughts when writing music, but more so I enjoy just walking around, getting out of my head and just going with my gut feelings where I am pulled for inspiration.

Where do you go for inspiration?

A majority of my inspiration comes from real life—specially from sincere insights into life truths, and emotional responses to events and relationships, for instance everyday speech, familiar phrases, intense emotions, deeply felt convictions, a pleasant place or thing, and a friend's insight into a problem or feeling. People inspire me, specially inspiring people, but also troubled people, people who symbolize a cause or issue, fictional characters, and every day people I know.