Best Nigerian Music Video Directors Every Decade Since The ’80s

Making music videos are one of the most important strategies for promoting a song. It is the responsibility of a music video director to create captivating music videos for musicians. To achieve that, a director must have astounding ideas and creativity. Today, Afrobeats music has become a global sound. Part of the credit for the growth of Afrobeats goes to the very creative music video directors in Nigeria. For years, these directors have been producing world-class music videos for the genre. In no particular order, they include Mex, Shina Adedeji, Afamdman, Jude Okoye, Wudi Awa, Freshout, AK One, Mo Musa, Unlimited L.A, Sesan Ogunro (Sesan),  Kemi Adetiba, Mike Ogoke (God Father productions), Dammy Twitch, The Alien, Director K, Gbenga Salu, etc.

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However, since the ‘80s, some particular music video directors have been outstanding in their directorial works. These individuals held sway and dominated the video production industry for a long period. They were the guaranteed source for good quality music videos. In this article, we highlight these music video directors who were the most prominent in each decade since the ‘80s.

Phillip Trimnell – “PTP” (1980s)

The evolution of the Nigerian music video production industry cannot be complete without mentioning the pioneering roles played by people like Philip Trimnell. During the most part of the ‘80s, Phillip Trimnell, or his “PTP” (Phillip Trimnell Production), was the go-to-guy for great music videos. His first notable music video was for the song “Eja Ka Jo”. The song was done by a group that consists of Stella and Roy Bruce of the Bruce’s family. Phillip Trimnel directed and produced the music video for Ben Bruce Records. It was shot in Los Angeles.

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Later on, Trimnell directed and produced music videos several memorable music videos such as “One Love” (Onyeka Onwenu) and “Ifeoma” (Felix Lebarty). Other artistes that he had directed their videos include Majek Fashek, The Mandators,  Mike Okri, Ras Kimono, Alex Zitto, Femi Kuti, and many others. Phillip Trimnell is also the creator of the iconic “Music Africa”, a crucial TV music program. The programme revolutionized the Nigerian music scene, and inspired Nigerians to make high-quality music videos. Music Africa has been broadcast on the STV Network for more than 20 years. Trimnell was given the Hip Hop World Awards’ Hall of Fame award in 2006, and he was inducted into the NMVA Hall of Fame in 2012. He now focuses more on landscape photography.

 Charly Boy – “New Wave Production” (Late ’90s)

  In the late ‘80s, the maverick, Charly Boy, was the most sought-after music video maker. The entertainer whose really name is Charles Oputa is a man of diverse talents. He is a singer/songwriter, television presenter, music video director, producer, publisher, etc. Charly Boy is the founder of New Waves Productions, a media outfit that was responsible for so many TV productions and music videos in the second half of the 80s and mid-90s. Some of the music video projects he undertook include “Dancing in the Sun” (Onyeka Onwenu), “She’s So Pretty” (Alex O), “No Cause For Alarm” (Femi Kuti), “Eko” (Floxy B), etc. Being a musician himself, Charly Boy, also known as the Area Fada, directed and produced many of his own music videos.

Kingsley Ogoro – “Klink Studios”  (1990s)

In 1992, Kingsley Ogoro established his highly respected media production outfit, Klink Studios. In the early 90s to mid-90s, Kingsley Ogoro was the source for the high-quality music videos.

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The Banking and Finance graduate of Uthman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto was responsible for some top-notch music videos at the time. In his portfolio were music videos he did for artistes like Blacky, Ese Agesse, Angelica, etc. The veteran entertainment mogul later ventured into the movie world. He has produced and directed top-grossing movies like “Osuofia in London”, “The Return”, “The Widow”, and many others.

Uzodinma Okpechi (Early 2000s)

Uzodinma Okpechi is one of the pioneers of the current revolution in the music video industry in Nigeria. Okpechi directed music videos of many award-winning singers. He is the brain behind videos for hits like “Oruka” (Sunny Neji) and “African Queen” (Innocent Idibia (Tuface)). Other artistes he has made music videos for include Tony Tetuila, Sammie Okposo, Daddy Showkey, etc. Uzodinma Okpechi no longer produce music videos as he has redirected his skills to the production of documentaries and TV commercials.

DJ Tee – “DJ Tee Films” (Mid-to-Late 2000s)

Adetokunbo Odubawo, better known as DJ Tee, ushered the music video standard in Nigeria to a completely new height. The Germany-born DJ Tee ventured into music video production after a working stint as a BBC cameraman. His introduction into Nigeria’s music industry improved the quality of music videos, and for a while, he oversaw many significant music video projects. Some of his famous music videos include “Yahoozee” (Olu Maintain); “Eni Duro” (Olamide); “Stylee” (Jimmy Jatt); “You Know My P” (Ikechukwu); “Julie” (Skank); and many more. During his most active period as a music video director, he mentored a young cameraman who would subsequentlygo on to rule the music video industry. The young man’s name is Clarence Peters.

Clarence Peters – “Capital Dreams” (2011 – 2020)

Arguably, Clarence Peters is one of the most successful Nigerian music video directors of all time. The trained filmmaker and cinematographer is responsible for countless music videos produced from 2011 to 2020. His typically colourful and visually stimulating music videos are responsible for Afrobeats music gaining global attention. The ace music video producer has worked with virtually every A-list entertainer in the country. Some of his award-winning music videos were produced for a wide-array of clients. Some of his works include; “GhostMode” (Olamide & Phyno); “Johnny” (Yemi Alade); “Eminado” (Tiwa Savage), and countless others. Clarence Peters is the son of legendary afro-juju singer, Sir Shina Peters, and iconic actress, Clarion Chukwura. He is a graduate of City Varsity ― a film school in Cape Town, South Africa, where he majored in cinematography.

TG Omori – “TG Omori”/ “Boy Director” (2019 – Date)

ThankGod Omori Jesam, professionally known as TG Omori or Boy Director, is the rave of the moment. The music video director and cinematographer has directed several music videos for Nigerian music stars. The Cross River State indigene started making videos at the age of 16, but took it up professionally at 18. This made him one of the youngest professional filmmakers in Nigeria at the time, hence the nickname, “Boy Director”. In 2019, he shot into prominence when he became the brain behind most of the chart-topping music videos. TG Omori is responsible for most of Asake’s music videos such as “Terminator”, “Yoga”, “Sungba”, etc. He is also responsible for popular music videos such as “Holiday” (Rema), “Buga” (Kizz Daniel), “Playboy” (Fireboy DML),  “Soapy” (Naira Marley), “Jaiye” (PSquare), “Totori” (Olamide), “Billionaire” (Teni), “Nobody” (DJ Neptune), among others.#Best Nigerian Music Video Directors 

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# Best Nigerian Music Video Directors