The Artists and Producers get a lot of recognition, its unequivocally clear that Music video Directors shouldn’t be left out because there’s more to video directing than ‘Light’ ‘Camera’ and ‘Action’. The Video Directors here have showed that they have the proper panache and dexterity needed for bringing a song to life visually, there’s a pure pulchritude in matching a song with the right visual concept, and it’s safe to say that the music videos we see are products of hard work, time, patience and persistence. This article isn’t one for the unsung heroes, rather it’s one that epitomizes the title of the article.
Here’s a list of top music video directors in and from Nigeria in no particular order
TG Omori, also known as Boy director and president of Way-ward fc, the Cross river bred music Director and fashion icon has built an outstanding portfolio for himself since 2018. TG Omori graduated from pencil film institute. He has probably lost count of the number of musical videos that he has directed, the video director isn’t just a skilled director, He has also diversified into the fashion universe – he was featured on the run way of the ‘Heineken Lagos fashion week’. Some of his works include- Vibration- Fire boy, Am I a yahoo boy-Naira marley, king-Fire boy, Odogwu- Burna boy, Away- Oxlade, Pawon- Olamide, Champion- Fire boy, Outside- Buju, Oil and gas-Olamide, the list is endless. He won the video director of the year in the ‘2020 AFRIMA awards’.
Meji Alabi, the 33 year old London based Nigerian music director, film maker, photographer and producer has been in the game for 9 solid sonic years. There was a crescendo in his growth over the years. Meji Alabi definitely knows the pros and cons of video directing, his price went up the moment he made the visuals for Sheyi shay and Patorankings ‘Murda’, he is currently the Co- founder of JM films. He linked up with Maleek berry for the outstanding Chromatic visuals of ‘Kontrol’. Life has sure been a bed of roses for the director since then. If there’s 2 things we know about Meji, it’s that he’s on a global scale and definitely one of the best in the directing industry. Meji’s portfolio is without any iota of doubt very resplendent. He directed Ginger- Wizkid ft Burna, Real life- Burna boy, Smile- Wizkid, Way too big- Burna boy, Monsters you made- Burna boy, 4am- Manny Norte, risky- Davido, pull up- Burna boy, Pon my mind- Maleek berry, Eyo- Asa and a plethora of others. He is well decorated as well, winning the video of the year in the sound city MVP awards and many others. He was also the producer in charge of the Nigerian footage for the Black is king project by Beyonce. Meji Alabi is certainly on a space ship and that’s not even galvanizing.
Clarence Peters- if there’s a college of cinematography and music video directing, Clarence Peters will sure be a professor with 5 PhD’s. Clarence peters knowns the nooks and crannies of cinematography, the film maker and producer doesn’t need any form of introduction, his profound works would always speak for him, he has proved his dexterity and repertoire a myriad of times in series of musical videos and films, the dreaded director has been in the industry since 1998 till date, he’s also the founder and CEO of Capital hill records, he sure has an impeccable reputation, Clarence’s portfolio is filled with, movies, documentaries, TV features. He’s an epitome of hard work and consistency, he’s definitely a skilled master of the craft. Clarence’s genius cannot be down played in any ramification, he has a lot of accolades. Recent works by the director include- Egbon –Phyno, Airplane mode- fire boy, Rock- Olamide, kilometre- Burna boy, Spell – fire boy, Just to mention a few.
Owolabi Oluwadamilola, popularly known as Dammy Twitch, has strongly established himself among recognized music video directors in Nigeria. He has a strong affiliation with 30BG heavy weight, Davido, Dammy twitch has distinguished himself in the creative space since 2017, he can boast of creative success as he has worked with top dawgs like Davido, Burna boy and Peruzzi, just to mention a few, twitch has worked with Sony music, Warner music and universal music. Under a short period of time he has sure pushed his brand into the international space. He came into lime light after shooting DMW’S Aje, he went ahead to show his creative prowess in- Gunshot-Peruzzi, Majesty- Peruzzi, , Zlatan – Zanku, Davido- Wonder Woman, Dremo- Bigger meat, Davido- The best, Peruzzi- Nana. Dammy twitch sure knows his onions.
Oladapo Fagbenle, professionally known as DAPS, is a top notch Nigerian born British music director, his works have generated billions of views over the years, he sure knows the intricacies and complexities of the craft, he has directed for musical icons and heavy weights like Kendrick Lamar, drake, Migos, Nicki minaj, Cardi b. After directing ‘Bad and boujee’ for the Migos he began his quest to greatness and made loads of waves, the video won the video of the year in the 2017 ‘BET awards’. DAPS has gone ahead to be the only director to direct multiple genres from multiple countries that have gone on to reach number 1 in their respective countries. He has an unparalleled intersectionality between Africa, UK and US.
He directed- Wizkids come closer, Davido’s D and G, Davido’s fall, king kunta- Kendrick Lamar, Big for your boots- Stormzy.
Directors are indispensable in the music/creative industry. Whatever an artist wants to express in their music videos will always be brought to life by the director, their usefulness can never be downplayed, big ups to them.