2019 has delivered some really great Nigerian songs, accompanied by equally impressive music videos. So, with the year coming to an end, we decided to ask 10 of our favourite directors to pick which Nigerian music video stood out to them the most.
Meji Alabi on Fireboy DML’s “Jealous”
Meji Alabi, the genius behind Tiwa Savage’s career-best “49-99”, picked the video for Fireboy DML’s breakout hit, “Jealous”, which was shot by Director K.
About why he likes it:
“I like the feels it puts you in. Those relatable moments mean a lot to me in music videos.”
Seun Opabisi on Burna Boy’s “Dangote”
Seun Opabisi, one half of the directing duo behind Ladipoe’s “Jaiye” and Rema’s “Bad Commando”, picked the video for Burna Boy’s “Dangote”, which was shot by Clarence Peters.
About why he likes it:
“In so many ways, this video is a depiction of what ‘Hustle’ means in present-day Nigeria. We do a lot of finger-pointing when we’re all playing a role in its demise.”
Kewa Oni on Prettyboy D-O’s “Pull Up”
Kewa Oni, one half of the directing duo behind Ladipoe’s “Jaiye” and Rema’s “Bad Commando”, picked the video for Prettyboy D-O and Santi’s “Pull Up”, which was directed by Ademola Falomo.
About why he likes it:
“D-O’s presence on and off stage has always been very intense, and it’s so great that Demola made a grimy video that captures that.”
Prodigeezy on Tiwa Savage’s “49-99”
Prodigeezy, the director behind Falz’s Headies-nominated “Talk” and Burna Boy’s “Killin Dem”, picked the video for Tiwa Savage’s “49-99”, which was directed by Meji Alabi.
About why he likes it:
“Meji is easily one of my favourite African directors, but his work on “49-99” was just exceptional and flawlessly executed.
I particularly like it because of the audacity and scale of the idea. From my experience, it’s very difficult combining social messaging and entertaining visuals, but he pulled it off.”
TG Omori on Tiwa Savage’s “49-99”
TG Omori, the director behind Naira Marley’s “Am I A Yahoo Boy” and Teni’s “Billionaire”, also picked the video for Tiwa Savage’s “49-99”, which was directed by Meji Alabi.
About why he likes it:
“Honestly, I think the art direction is just beautiful. It’s really close to my kind of vibe.”
Ademola Falomo on BOJ and Tiwa Savage’s “Your Love”
Ademola Falomo, the director behind Rema’s “Dumebi”, Tems’ “Try Me” and Prettyboy D-O’s “Pull Up”, picked the video for BOJ and Tiwa Savage’s “Your Love”, which was shot by Director K.
About why he likes it:
“Director K is easily my favourite director at the moment. The cinematography of “Your Love” is everything.
I love the minimalist approach and the attention to details. Every single frame in that video can be used as a picture”
Chukwuka Nwobi on Lyta’s “Monalisa”
Chukwuka Nwobi, the director behind the videos for Sarz and WurlD’s “EGO” and “MAD”, picked the video for Lyta’s “Monalisa”, which was shot by Director K.
About why he likes it:
“The camera movements are so smooth and cinematic. I loved the idea of isolating two individuals in a huge space and focusing on them, all while telling a love story.
I also really liked the wide frame shots. I think it’s good to take a step back and appreciate everything that makes the frame what it is.”
Seyi Akinlade on Ladipoe’s “Jaiye”
Seyi Akinlade, the director behind Prettyboy D-O’s manic “Dey Go Hear Wehh”, picked the video for Ladipoe’s “Jaiye”, which was directed by Seun Opabisi and Kewa Oni.
About why he likes it:
“A lot of the elements were just so well-though-out and put together, without ever outshining the artist.”
The Alien on Ladipoe’s “Jaiye”
The Alien, the director behind BOJ, Ajebutter22 and Falz’s “Ronaldo”, picked the video for Ladipoe’s “Jaiye”, which was directed by Seun Opabisi and Kewa Oni.
About why he likes it:
“The video was amazingly executed. From idea and production design to cinematography and colour grading, everything was just excellent.
It made me feel sooo good. No jokes, I remember watching it more than 100 times the week it came out.”
Daniel Vintage on Ladipoe’s “Jaiye”
Daniel Vintage, the director behind Kizz Daniel’s ode to Lagos, “Eko”, picked the video for Ladipoe’s “Jaiye”, which was directed by Seun Opabisi and Kewa Oni.
About why he likes it:
“The aesthetics and visual direction were pretty dope. From the locations to the styling, you can tell they did a lot of proper mind mapping.”
