Ever wondered about the men behind every music video that is put out there? Or the processes and efforts it takes to create some of your favorite music videos?
Know this, behind every successful music video, there’s an amazing director. So, next time when you hail your favorite singer while watching his music video, remember, there’s a man behind the camera who made things work.
However, a lot of people get confused about what a music director’s job is. If we call the music director, the creative vision bearer of every concept or music, we are not wrong.
Therefore, music directors are responsible for the supervision of the production team, the music video’s cast selection, and giving direction or overseeing the rehearsals. They also oversee filming and editing. As you can see, without a good music director, your beautiful song’s video may not be selected as the audience’s faves.
In the Nigerian music industry, there are heavy names who know their onions as music directors. The top five Nigerian music video directors are:
- TG Omori
Thank-God Omori Jisan is popularly known as Boy Director. The 26-year-old is a filmmaker, music video director,r and cinematographer. He hails from Cross River State but grew up in Lagos State.
Boy Director started directing at 15 as he oversaw his school and church’s stage play. He started making videos at age 16 but started professionally at 18 but this was after graduating from Pencil film Institute
TG Omori is responsible for lots of songs out there.
Examples: “Am I a yahoo boy” – Naira Marley
“Soapy” – Naira Marley
“Billionaire” – Teni
“What if I say” – Fireboy
“Away” – Oxlade
“Holy father” – Mayorkun
“Sungba” – Asake
“Are you there” – Skales
The list is enormous.
- Clarence Peters
Clarence Abiodun Peters is a filmmaker, music video director,r and cinematographer. He has shot documentaries, TV commercials, and short films aside from music videos. He was the director of the popular TV series, “Everyday People” (40 episodes)
Peters studied cinematography at City Varsity; a film school in Cape Town South Africa. Currently, he is the founder of Capital Dream Pictures and Capital Hill Records.
However, a lot of artists can testify to his amazing skills on set. Below are some examples of his works:
Johnny – Yemi Alade
Aye – Davido
Yawa dey – Burna Boy
Eminado – Tiwa Savage ft Don Jazzy
Pullover – Kcee ft Wizkid
Alingo – Psquare
Caress – Ajebo Hustlers
Abena – Jaywillz
Peters boasts of over 100 music videos.
In March 2022, Peters released a brand-new video series titled “Meet the Model”. This video further features interviews with the most popular vixens who have appeared in your favorite music videos.
- Meji Alabi
Meji Alabi is a London-based Nigerian filmmaker, music video director, photographer, and producer. Alabi is a graduate of the University of West London – Accounting and Finance. Also, he owns a licensed vocational nursing degree from St. Philips College in Texas.
However, Alabi is a co-founder of JM Films. JM Films is a media and production company specializing in music video, communication, and creative visuals. He is also the co-founder of Pnicegold pictures; a production outfit in Lagos.
Alabi is popular for a lot of videos both within and outside Nigeria. Some of his works are:
“Crazy” – Seyi Shay ft Wizkid
“Assurance” – Davido
“On the low” – Burna Boy
“Made in Lagos album” – Wizkid
“Fever” – Wizkid
“Risky” – Davido
“Smile” – Wizkid ft H.E.R
In 2020, Alabi worked as a producer in charge of the Nigerian footage of the “Black is king” visual project. This was executively produced by Beyonce Knowles Carter. He was also a co-director for “Brown Skin Girl” by Beyonce. Alongside working with Ibra Ake and Jenn Nkiru to execute the video.
Alabi is not new to directing commercials. He directed the 2018 and 2019 Food and Drink commercials for GTB bank. Also, Autism: A mother knows, fashion is freedom by GTB and S4 and No 5 advert by Infinix.
- Dammy Twitch
Apampa Owolabi Oluwadamilare is a Nigerian-born video editor. He graduated from the Department of Economics at Redeemer’s University.
First, he started as a photo editor. Then, he evolved to video editing and coverage. Initially, he worked with Director Q on a video edition after which he left to open his brand.
He has worked with top names in the industry.
Examples: “Majesty” – Peruzzi
“Zanki” – Zlatan
“Aje” – Davido
“Bigger meat” – Dremo
”Cloud 9” – DJ Spinall ft Adekunle Gold
- HG2 Filmworks
Olaolu Akorede Olabode Folarin is popularly known as HG2 Filmworks. He is a Nigerian-American filmmaker, music video director, and cinematographer.
He first started as a graphic designer before venturing into full-time music videos. Some of his works include:
“Everything is one” – D’banj
“Gbese” – DJ Kamol ft Oritse Femi
“Sin City” – Kizz Daniel
“Need your love” – K Rollz
- Daps
Oladapo Fagbenle known as Daps is a Nigerian-born British video director and cinematographer.
He has directed lots of music videos for international artists.
Examples: “Black Window” – Iggy Azalea ft Rita Ora
“King Kunda” – Kendrick Lamar
“She for keeps” – Quavo ft Nicki Minaj
“All the time” – Young Thug
“Fall” – Davido
“Baby” – DaBaby ft Lil Baby