Nigerian rock artist wants people to pause and feel loved in the hustle and bustle of Lagos

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Valentine's Day can be a secondary consideration for some in Lagos.

The Nigerian city of more than 20 million people is renowned for its hustle and bustle, its restless energy and commercial drive — a place where honks from signature yellow passenger buses fill the air.

But Lagos-based rock musician Bianca Okorocha, known as “Clayrocksu," wants people to pause and feel loved as Valentine's Day approaches.

She is taking her music offstage and onto the streets of the city, crooning love songs to random commuters and handing them single-stem roses.

Their faces, first shocked at the encounter, give way to a broad smile as she pulls the strings of her guitar, twanging to James Blunt’s “You are Beautiful.”

“I am a musician, and we just thought it was a special and nice thing to do for people,” Clayrocksu told The Associated Press. “Especially in this time and climate where everything is kind of difficult and all you hear on the news is bad news.”

Since Nigerian President Bola Tinubu came to power in 2023, he has undertaken major economic reforms, including the removal of a decades-old fuel subsidy program. The government said the changes would save costs and boost investment, but they have resulted in one of the West African nation’s worst cost of living crises in a generation.

The country’s deadly security crisis has also worsened the fate of millions, limiting access to farmland in the conflict-battered north, which in turn resulted in a surge in the prices of goods elsewhere, including in the economic hub of Lagos.

But amid the tough times, people like Clayrocksu are bringing joy and color to many across the vibrant city in this season of love.

Barbara Lulu, a Lagos resident, who got serenaded by Clayrocksu and her partner, was going about her day stressed until the rock team showed up.

“First off, this was a very shocking moment for me, because I never expected it. It just kind of happened, and all I can say is yay!” she said.

In a city where Valentine’s Day is usually focused on lovers, Clayrocksu said that she wants to change that perception and bring roses to many others.

“People think that Valentine’s Day is only about romantic gestures, only boyfriend and girlfriend, husband and wife,” she said. “But Valentine is really just about sharing love.”

Nigerian rock musician Bianca "Clayrocksu" Okorocha, right, accompanied by Daniel Onyemachi-Chiweolu, popularly known as Machigold, left, gives single-stem roses crooning love songs to commuters ahead of Valentine's Day in Lagos, Nigeria, Tuesday, Feb.10, 2026. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

Nigerian rock musician Bianca “Clayrocksu” Okorocha, right, poses for a photograph with Barbara Lulu, a Lagos resident, left, after handing her a single-stem rose ahead of Valentine's Day in Lagos, Nigeria, Tuesday, Feb.10, 2026. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

A commuter, right reacts as Nigerian rock musician Bianca "Clayrocksu" Okorocha, left, accompanied by Daniel Onyemachi-Chiweolu, popularly known as Machigold, behind, sings love songs handing single-stem roses to commuters ahead of Valentine's Day in Lagos, Nigeria, Tuesday, Feb.10, 2026. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

A woman reacts after receiving a single-stem rose from Nigerian rock musician Bianca "Clayrocksu" Okorocha ahead of Valentine's Day on a street in Lagos, Nigeria, Tuesday, Feb.10, 2026. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

Nigerian rock musician Bianca "Clayrocksu" Okorocha, accompanied by Daniel Onyemachi-Chiweolu, popularly known as Machigold, hugs a woman after giving her a single-stem rose and crooning love songs ahead of Valentine's Day in Lagos, Nigeria, Tuesday, Feb.10, 2026. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Wide receiver Calvin Ridley has agreed to restructure his contract with the Tennessee Titans coming off a season where injuries limited him to seven games, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Saturday.

The person who confirmed the agreement to AP spoke on condition of anonymity because the revision and terms have not been announced.

The Titans signed Wan'Dale Robinson in free agency to boost their receiving group. Ridley was signed to a four-year deal initially worth up to $92 million in 2024 to join Tennessee, and he worked hard last year to build chemistry with quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft.

Ridley's season ended with a broken leg, and he had 17 catches for 303 yards. Ridley turns 32 in December. He has just four combined touchdown catches in two seasons with the Titans.

The Titans cleared some salary cap space Friday releasing cornerback L'Jarius Sneed.

NFL Network reported that Ridley was due a $2 million bonus if he was still on the Tennessee roster at 4 p.m. EDT Saturday.

Ridley was Tennessee's highest-paid player due to count $26.4 million against the cap with a cap hit of $13 million if released, according to Spotrac.com. Restructuring gives the Titans more flexibility after a busy start to free agency for general manager Mike Borgonzi with new coach Robert Saleh.

The Titans have new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, who is familiar with Ridley after working with the receiver in 2017 as Alabama's offensive coordinator. Ridley was the 26th pick overall in 2018 by Atlanta and the Titans are his third NFL team.

“I have a relationship with Rid,” Daboll said Feb. 18. “He was great for me at Alabama. He’s had a productive career in the National Football League, and I look forward to working with him.”

Pro Bowl returner Chimere Dike had 48 catches for 423 yards and four touchdowns, while Elic Ayomanor had 41 catches for 515 yards and four TDs. Robinson finished with 1,014 yards receiving on 92 catches with the Giants last season.

Ridley is averaging 77 catches for 1,073 yards and eight TDs over a 17-game season in his seven-year career.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

FILE - Tennessee Titans Calvin Ridley warms up before an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Oct. 12, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)