The 3 best music video directors of the year

Music videos represent an important part of the music industry. There are even artistes that owe their careers to their music videos.

They have become a venue where musicians are given a chance to impress the public, not just with their vocal talent, but also with their looks or moves. Good examples lie in the meteoric rise of Patoranking due to his performances in ‘Alubarika’, and ‘Girlie O’, remix videos. Kiss Daniel also covered impressive mileage this year by his display in ‘Woju (remix)’, and ‘Laye’.

Music videos in Nigeria are one of the most important tools employed by artiste in the promotion of their music, branding of their persona, accumulation of more fans, and the key to getting it right lies in the choice of video directors.

Unlimited L.A

What a year it has been for the cinematographer whose real name is Buari Olalekan Oluwasegun. The man who directed his first video in 2009, hit his big break in 2013 with his work n Sean Tizzle’s smash hit song ‘Sho lee’, and it has also been positive for his career.

In 2015, Unlimited LA was responsible for a number of great videos from Nigerian acts including Wande Coal’s ‘Ashimapeyin’, Lil Kesh’s ‘Efejoku’, and Olamide’s ‘Lagos Boys’.

Unlimited L.A’s strength lies in his ability give a precise, crisp urban feel to his production, as can be seen in some of his works below:

Jahbless - '69 Missed Calls' ft Olamide, Reminisce, CDQ, Lil Kesh Chinko Ekun

Wande Coal – ‘Ashimapeyin’

Lil Kesh - 'Efejoku' ft Viktoh

Olamide - 'Lagos Boys'

Di'Ja - Falling For You ft. Patoranking

AJE Filmworks

AJE filmworks is a registered Nigerian production company that produces award winning music videos, feature films, commercials and documentaries with cutting edge technologies.

Led by the man simply known as AJE, they are a company of media and production professionals with a drive to generate creativity and innovation. Collectively we have over seven years experience in music videos, television and film production - working on numerous projects alongside award-winning collaborators.

This year, AJE has been responsible for some of the ground-breaking visuals that have brought the music screens alive, with good work for Kiss Daniel on ‘Laye’, and ‘Good time’. Also, Iyanya’s marriage visual for ‘Applaudise’ came via his mastery, and Falz’s ‘Karashika’ too.Iyanya - 'Applaudise'

Falz - 'Karishika' ft. Phyno, Chigurl

Patoranking - 'Make am'

Kiss Daniel - 'Good time'

Tekno - 'Wash'

MEX

MEX is regarded as the best graphic-driven director, with visuals, storylines and an adaptability to his work which has seen the best of the best in the Nigeria music industry stake their next claim to glory on his lens. Best known for his composition skills and use of 3D objects, most of Mex’s videos are shot on green screen

He is responsible for the hit visual ‘Oga Titus’, and M.I Abaga’s long-awaited video for ‘Bullion Van’.

Check out some works below:

D’Prince – Oga Titus f. Don Jazzy

Praiz - 'Harder' ft Patoranking

MI Abaga - 'Bullion Van' ft. Runtown, Phyno and Stormrex

Reekado Banks – Corner

Simi - 'Jamb Question' ft Falz