by Wilfred Okiche
These 10 videos on our list made us laugh, gawk, cheer and inspired hope that the creative industry is indeed getting better. From Flavour’s splashy fairy tale adaptation, to Waje and Tiwa Savage’s domestic altercation, these are the year’s best 10.
- Golibe- Flavour
Flavour’s attempt to create another visual spectacle in the form of Ada Ada was a bit of a let-down but compared to what else was on offer this period, still managed to stand out. His fairy tale take was boosted by his social media relationship with former MBGN Anne Banner, who appeared as a local Cinderella and a bemused Pete Edochie.
- Sitting on the throne- Olamide
Kemi Adetiba helmed Olamide’s weirdly disturbing video for Sitting on the throne which consists essentially of a series of screen shots cobbled together and played in slide show style. It is not the most original of concepts but it was pulled off with aplomb.
- Onye- Waje Ft. Tiwa Savage
Waje and Tiwa Savage squared off for the affections of a loathsome lothario in this colourful romp directed by Kemi Adetiba. The memorable shots are plenty; Waje in spandex, Tiwa pounding yam while Omawumi has the last laugh as she drives off with her man.
- Megbele- Omawumi
Who says you can’t go home again? Omawumi took a memorable trip back to her hometown in Warri, Delta state and brought the whole world with her. This clip, with its home video intimacy is a campaign for embracing our cultural heritage.
- Girlie O (remix)- Patoranking Ft. Tiwa Savage
The chemistry between dancehall newbie, Patoranking and pop princess, Tiwa Savage- who must share an age difference of at least 10 years between them- crackled so loudly that it was enough to single-handedly power this remix to the playlist of every music video station that mattered.
- God on the mic- Jesse Jagz
God on the mic is an instant rap classic and this animated video represented the mood and themes of Jesse Jagz’ epic rap de force. A celestial being blazing forth from the sky to save the inhabitants of a dystopic earth from a rampaging beast plays like a metaphor for Jargo himself saving the hip hop scene from the deathly clutch of mediocrity.
- Johnny- Yemi Alade
Yemi Alade’s video for the smash hit, Johnny has everything you can think of. Impressive dancers, the right amount of skin, celebrity cameos (Bovi, Alex Ekubo) and a funny tale of revenge to keep it lively. Miss Alade proved that she is ready to play in the big leagues.
- Loving you- IBK Spaceship boi
This one almost slipped by under the radar but it would be a shame to end the year without peeping IBK Spaceship boi’s sugary sweet confection. Understated yet competently presented, Loving you is one of the year’s hidden gems.
- Aye- Davido
Davido’s epic love manifest was a welcome surprise. Playing the lover isn’t new to him but this time the stakes were higher. Directed by Clarence Peters, this near Shakespearean tragedy showed us a more mature, confident side to Davido. Sure the lady who played his love interest looks older than him, but when she abandons caution to the wind and starts to dance joyously with her man, we danced along with them.
- IMF- Seun Kuti
Seun Kuti continued in the extra-large footsteps of his legendary father by making rabble rousing music capable of inspiring a generation. But he has been doing that for years. What was new this time was the accomplished and stylish twisty noir feel he brought to the video for IMF. Part Matrix and part Sin city, IMF is a middle finger wave to western economic interventions and their stringent policy prescriptions.
Do you agree?
The writer tweets from @drwill20
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