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Best 15 Nigerian Music Video Directors

Brains behind the scenes

Music video directors in Nigeria do not adequately receive the credit and recognition they merit. An unpopular song might become a smash that practically everyone will be singing along to with the help of a fantastic music video.

Best 15 Nigerian Music Video Directors, Yours Truly, Articles, March 27, 2024

It is not a secret that great music video filmmakers exist in Nigeria, and they’ve been doing incredibly well and keeping the Nigerian music business growing. No more sourcing for international producers to shoot videos, as was the practice in the good old days of Afrobeat’s formation and rise. These days, Music TV stations frequently play these music videos, which music lovers often enjoy and vibe to, while most of the credit goes to the artist.

Best 15 Nigerian Music Video Directors, Yours Truly, Articles, March 27, 2024

The directors of music videos have a variety of duties. They first help musicians produce musically accurate graphic representations of their tunes that promote record sales. Highly competent directors of music videos are compensated handsomely for their expertise and capacity to create videos that distinguish an artist in the music business. Last but not least, these videos let listeners connect with the tunes. Indeed, These individuals are the “brains” behind the music video scenes and deserve as much recognition as the artist.

Best 15 Nigerian Music Video Directors, Yours Truly, Articles, March 27, 2024

Many video producers in the music industry have produced top-notch, high-caliber music videos for musicians during the past year. However, a select handful has produced countless music videos without sacrificing their distinctive quality; this article will spotlight a few.

TG OMORI

Best 15 Nigerian Music Video Directors, Yours Truly, Articles, March 27, 2024

Boy Director is first on the list. He goes by the nickname Boy Director and was born ThankGod Omori Jesam. Omori was raised in a middle-class household in Agungi, Lagos State, despite coming from Cross River State. At 15, he began directing plays at his church and high school. Omori started making videos when he was 16. Still, he didn’t start doing it professionally until he was 18 and had graduated from the PEFTI Film Institute, making him one of Nigeria’s youngest working filmmakers.

He gained notoriety in 2019 as the creator of the majority of the most famous music videos. Director and cinematographer ThankGod Omori Jesam, sometimes known as TG Omori or Boy Director, is from Nigeria. In Nigeria, he has directed several music videos. The brilliant and wise video director has significantly increased in popularity and is now Nigeria’s most sought-after director. His career is dominated by music videos that compete favorably with the songs in terms of expertise and talent. Asake’s “Peace be Unto You Video,” Rema’s “Are You There?” Ololade Asake’s “Sungba” video, Fireboy DML’s “Playboy” video, Asake’s “Peace be Unto You Video,” Kizz Daniel’s “BUGA” videos, and many others, including “Soapy” and “Am I A Yahoo Boy” by Naira Marley, “Totori” by  Olamide featuring Wizkid, “Billionaire” by Teni, “Nobody” by DJ Neptune featuring Mr. Eazi and Joeboy.

DIRECTOR K

Best 15 Nigerian Music Video Directors, Yours Truly, Articles, March 27, 2024

Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Davido, Burna Boy, and many other musicians and performers have collaborated with director K or DK on various musical projects. The 2020 Headies Award for Best Music Video of the Year went to Dir. k, whose actual name is Aremu Olaiwola Qudus. His collaborations with artists include directing the music video for Burna Boy and Black Sherif’s “Second Sermon.” Additionally, he was in charge of selecting the music for the videos “Beggie Beggie” by Ayra Starr, “Balloon D’or” by Burna Boy and Wizkid, and “Calm Down” by Rema.

MEJI ALABI

Best 15 Nigerian Music Video Directors, Yours Truly, Articles, March 27, 2024

Meji Alabi, who is of Nigerian descent and was raised in London, Texas, and Lagos, has been dramatically impacted by various cultural traditions. All the innovative music videos by musicians like Wizkid, Maleek Berry, Tiwa Savage, Runtown, Asa, Mr. Eazi, Seyi Shay, and many others are his work of him. Meji Alabi, who also works as a photographer, uses a variety of visual mediums to connect the African and Western markets, including music videos, photography, advertising campaigns, magazine editorials, and artiste branding.

He collaborated with Beyoncé on her ‘Black is King’ music video project, released in 2020. Other notable projects include “Monsters You Made,” which award-winning Grammy singer Burna Boy remotely directed and which features Chris Martin, “49-99,” by Tiwa Savage, and “Smile,” which Wizkid features H.E.R.

DAPS

Best 15 Nigerian Music Video Directors, Yours Truly, Articles, March 27, 2024

Oladapo Fagbenle, better known by his stage name Daps, is a British musician, video director, and former NCAA athlete born in Nigeria. He is most known for directing music videos for musicians like Migos, Stormzy, Iggy Azalea, Kendrick Lamar, Willie XO, Wizkid, 2 Chainz, and Davido. In New York and London, he started his career in the music business as a video producer. He previously participated in collegiate basketball at Bellarmine University and Campbell University.

In 2013, Daps started directing music videos after starting his career in the video industry in 2010. He led the music video for “Bad and Boujee” by Migos, which featured Lil Uzi Vert, in 2016. The video amassed millions of views and reached the US number 1 spot. Daps also conceptualized the “Fall” music video for Davido.

Daps is one of the best-paid actors in the world since he charges millions to produce quality work or act and has an extensive portfolio of experience working with worldwide A-list artists. Among his works are “Double Tap” by Jordin Sparks featuring 2 Chainz, “Close Friends” by Lil Baby, and “Come Closer” by Wizkid featuring Drake.

CLARENCE PETERS

Best 15 Nigerian Music Video Directors, Yours Truly, Articles, March 27, 2024

Although his name is more well-known than his face, he has long held the “title” of the “king of Nigerian music and cinematography.” Clarence Peters, one of the most notable figures in the Nigerian music video industry with over 20 years of expertise, commands outrageous fees for his work. He is a cinematographer and filmmaker as well. He is the son of Clarion Chukwura, a famed actress, and Sir Shina Peters, a legendary juju singer.

He attended BI Primary School for his elementary school and Government College Ikorodu for his secondary education. He spent three years working at Alpha Visions after completing his secondary education. Then, after majoring in cinematography, he received his degree from City Varsity, a film school in Cape Town, South Africa.

Peters collaborated with filmmakers to form the Alliance Film Company, now the Allied Film Company, after returning to Nigeria from South Africa. Peters spent a year working for the business before launching his own production business. The music video director has collaborated with almost all of the country’s A-list performers.

KEMI ADETIBA

Best 15 Nigerian Music Video Directors, Yours Truly, Articles, March 27, 2024

Kemi Adetiba is a Nigerian director of television and music videos. She has numerous works that have been included on prestigious media outlets and music video television networks like BET, Soundcity, Netflix, Trace, MTV Base, and Channel O.

Kemi started as a Rhythm 93.7 Fm radio host before becoming a television personality and a music video director. She was in charge of directing the music videos for “Tease Me” by Wizkid, “Lagos Party” by Banky W, “Anifowose” by Olamide, and “Sitting on the Throne.” Additionally, she is alone in charge of helming the renowned romantic comedies “The Wedding Party and King of Boys.”

MOE MUSA

Best 15 Nigerian Music Video Directors, Yours Truly, Articles, March 27, 2024

Mohammed Musa, better known as Moe Musa, is a Nigerian music video director working out of the UK. He has helmed numerous excellent music videos inside and outside this nation. He owns a production company for movies and videos. It is known as the UK and Afrobeat Music Culture Online Video Broadcaster.

He has starred in numerous music videos in nations like South Africa, France, Amsterdam, America, and Cyprus. The first video that made him famous was the 2009 Fuse O2DG song and music video Antenna. Among the other videos he’s worked on are Davido’s Skelewu, Wizkid’s “Azonto,” Tiwa Savage’s “Wanted,” and Tuface Idibia’s “Diaspora Video.” Moe is currently still one of the most expensive music video Directors.

DAMMY TWITCH

Best 15 Nigerian Music Video Directors, Yours Truly, Articles, March 27, 2024

Apampa Owolabi Oluwadamilola, better known by his stage name Dammy Twitch, is a prominent video producer in Nigeria. His skill spans the pre-production of videos and promotions, and he is well recognized for the music videos he has created and videos like Zlatan Ibile’s Zanku.

Initially a photo editor, he is now making a career by creating videos. Since his debut in 2017, his ingenuity has distinguished him in the creative sector. He has collaborated with prominent musicians like Davido, Burna Boy, and Peruzzi, and he can boast of his enormous success. He happens to be a member of the 30BG gang and shoots most of Davido’s videos. In 2022, he continued with those well-known artistic videos by directing Davido’s “Stand Strong” with The Samples and Naira Marley’s “Montego Bay video.” Twitch was in the most recent Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

UNLIMITED LA

Best 15 Nigerian Music Video Directors, Yours Truly, Articles, March 27, 2024

Nigerian music video director Buari Olalekan Oluwasegun, often known as Unlimited L. A, was born on 2 April 1987. Olamide, Phyno, Timaya, and other artists are just a few of the musical genres and artists he has collaborated with. Unlimited is too skilled at what he does and picks his duties wisely; he won’t take on any errand. According to reports, producing quality work costs more than N30 million with him.

MATT MAX

Best 15 Nigerian Music Video Directors, Yours Truly, Articles, March 27, 2024

One of the top video directors in Nigeria is Matt Max, real name Mathew Abiodun Aina. Recent works by Olamide, such as “Voice Of The Street” and “Don’t Tell Me Nonsense,” are among his creations.

THE ALIEN

Best 15 Nigerian Music Video Directors, Yours Truly, Articles, March 27, 2024

Although this director of videos is still relatively new, his creations have stood out. He is a Nigerian video filmmaker who deserves attention; He could go on to become one of the most prolific in the game. He collaborated with Kizz Daniel on the “Oshe” video thus far in 2022, as well as BNXN (Buju) on the “Kilometre” remix video with Zinoleesky.

SESAN

Best 15 Nigerian Music Video Directors, Yours Truly, Articles, March 27, 2024

Nigerian music video director Sesan Ogunro, born on 11 January 1983, is best known by his stage name Sesan and currently resides in the UK. Davido, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, and D’Banj are just a few of the Afrobeats musicians he has helmed music videos for. In addition, he serves as the CEO of Film Factory South Africa, a Johannesburg-based company that produces videos, and Film Factory Nigeria, a business in Lagos.

With D’Banj, Sesan’s Afrobeat debut as a director paved the way for further successful, award-winning partnerships. These would incorporate the “Oliver Twist” music video debuting on YouTube in 2012. The song was nominated in 2012 for a Most Gifted Video of the Year award from the Channel O Music Video Awards and the World Music Award for Best Video of the Year. Sesan is one of Nigeria’s most renowned directors and continues collaborating with artists across many genres, including the Grammy-nominated duet Riton and Kah-Lo.

ADASA COOKEY

Best 15 Nigerian Music Video Directors, Yours Truly, Articles, March 27, 2024

Adasa Rawlinson Cookeygam, better known by his stage name Adasa Cookey, was born on 21 October 1981 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. He is a Nigerian music video director, cinematographer, commercial director, colorist, and filmmaker. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Squareball Media Productions Limited, where he works as a director and does other executive duties. To pursue his passion for video editing and directing, Adasa quit working as a customer service representative in 2010. Simi, Adekunle Gold, D’Prince, Don Jazzy, Burna Boy, Davido, and Burna Boy are just a few artists whose music videos he has directed.

H2G FILMWORKS

Best 15 Nigerian Music Video Directors, Yours Truly, Articles, March 27, 2024

Olaolu Akorede Olabode Folarin, commonly known as HG2 Filmworks, is a Nigerian-American director of commercial films, music video creator, graphic designer, business owner, and cinematographer. He was born on 1 October 1989.

He has directed music videos for top musicians, including D’banj, Kiss Daniel, Dammy Krane, Reminisce, 9ice, and Skales. His music videos have received nominations for prizes at the Soundcity MVP Awards Festival and the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.

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