by Uche Briggs

2013 was an eventful year for the Nigerian music industry. Work was done; money was made! Some video directors made it even more remarkable with their crisp visuals. Here’s a list of our top 10 music videos for the year selected on the basis of meaning, creativity, resonance, visual quality and originality.

1. Pata Pata – Temi Doll Face

Temi Doll Face’s video is a welcome departure from the hackneyed stylistic tone present in the Nigerian industry. It is bursting with originality, excitement and creativity. James Slater’s (Director) prowess matched with the local knowledge of Temi (Co-Director) is the recipe for the bang! On this one every thing was on point from the costume, to the lights to the interpretation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EinxcEiDNU

 

2. Yung L – SOS

Only Clarence Peters will call an Ewa Agoyin seller, situate her strategically in the front of a brothel simply for the sake of an opening shot.

Clarence Peters tastefully recreates a brothel with Yung L playing the pimp. His eye for details and the eccentric, above any other thing, make him a remarkable director.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9LZ4WAjkrA

 

3. Jesse Jagz – Redemption

No. This video has nothing to do with the two hot girls sitting on either side of Jesse Jagz, rolling & smoking perfectly natural herbs. As shadows of doubt were cast over the fate of the versatile artist following his exit from Chocolate City, he needed a bang with which to introduce his new album.

This was it!

The film noir expression; the encapsulation of Jesse Jagz’ persona; the promise of things to come in the Jagz Nation album: Please Mex, the director, finish work!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfsmGJfBB5w

 

4. Amarachi – Amarachi Dance

Amarachi is cute. Too cute. The kind of cute that makes you want to grab her and break into a run with LASTMA screaming: “Hol’ him! Hol’ him!”

That should be enough reason why the video made my list.

Clarence Peters plays up her cuteness in the short drama sketch at the beginning portraying the 8-year old kid star as a precocious but mischievous girl.

Awesome visuals.

 

5. Burna Boy – Run My Race

This is how to shoot a video at The Shrine!

Any questions?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJWPnPSkzog

 

6. Solid Star – Skibo

One is deeply concerned.

Let us take a minute to thank God for the beautiful bond between Shina Peters and Clarion that birth this wonder of a somebody named Clarence Peters.

Amen.

The throw back theme of the video is everything! All of it! The tongue in cheek placement of the Ghana Must Go Bag with Obama’s Face beside Solid Star as well – priceless!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cBKk6RC6vA

 

7. Sean Tizzle – Komole

You got to love D’Tunes and the monster he has unleashed in Sean Tizzle. The visuals for the contemporary highlife song of the decade was fun to watch and more importantly helped the Sean Tizzle brand.

Few grudges here though: The product placement was not tastefully executed. Also I wonder why the video did not end with a placement of the new Guinness bottle since the director was trying to establish a transition.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVFMvJrOEn0

 

8. Ada Ada – Flavour

Quickly: Compare Eldee’s Today Today video and Ada Ada by Flavour.

Lesson to All: Some songs should not be shot outside Nigeria. The incongruity is can be very ridiculous.

Enough said.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lUFM8yTtUc

 

9. Jack Sparrow – Rayce

Aje Filmworks is one director whose understanding of photography is displayed through his body of work. This video for the smash song Jack Sparrow is so tastefully done with minimal noise.

Spectacular clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhGhs8S4UZw

 

10. Psquare – Personally

These brothers take their art very seriously and it reflects in the kind of work churned out! The tribute video to Michael Jackson ticks all the right boxes in terms of creativity, choreography, and technical quality.

Brilliant stuff from Jude Okoye and Clarence Peters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttdU19Kwce8

 

Drop your reactions in the comment  section below and let us know what you think.

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Uche Briggs writes from Lagos, Nigeria. You can find him on Twitter @UcheBriggs