Nigeria’s music industry has become a global phenomenon, with Afrobeats taking center stage in the global music conversation.
Valued at $1.8 billion and projected to generate $14.82 billion by 2025, the industry owes much of its success to the collaborative efforts of both artists and visual storytellers/directors.
While Nigerian artists are celebrated for their talent and creativity, the role of videographers in amplifying their success is undeniable.
These directors have played a key role in refining the look and feel of Nigerian music, creating visually compelling stories that resonate with audiences worldwide. By crafting music videos that spin millions of views on platforms like YouTube, they have elevated the profiles of artists and extended the reach of their music far beyond Africa.
Videos like Davido’s Fall, Rema’s Calm Down featuring Selena Gomez, Wizkid’s Essence, and Burna Boy’s Last Last are not just popular tracks but cultural exports with high production value. These works have set new benchmarks for visual storytelling in Nigerian music, helping artists achieve viral success and attract significant international attention. For example, Calm Down boasts over a billion views on YouTube, a milestone made possible by the seamless blend of its audio and visual elements.
Beyond generating millions of views, these music videos have helped Nigerian artists secure brand deals, international collaborations, and global awards. The high production quality of these visuals has reshaped perceptions of Nigerian music, presenting it as polished, innovative, and ready for the global stage.
In this article, we spotlight 15 videographers who have been instrumental in shaping the visual identity of Nigeria’s music industry.
These professionals are not only enhancing the storytelling potential of music videos but are also positioning Nigerian music as a global leader in creativity and quality.
Oladapo Fagbenle, professionally known as Daps, is a Nigerian-born British artist, video director, and former NCAA athlete. He is renowned for directing music videos for some of the biggest names in music, including Migos, Stormzy, Iggy Azalea, Kendrick Lamar, Willie XO, Wizkid, 2 Chainz, and Davido.
He began his athletic career playing basketball for the Westminster Warriors in London and later continued his studies and basketball career in the United States at Campbell University and Bellarmine University, where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
His family includes several notable figures, including his brother, British actor O-T Fagbenle, video producer Luti Fagbenle, and WNBA player Temi Fagbenle.
Daps transitioned from sports to the media industry, initially working as a video producer in New York and London. In 2013, he began directing music videos, quickly making a name for himself with his work.
He gained widespread recognition in 2016 for his direction of Migos’ “Bad and Boujee,” a video that became a major hit and amassed millions of views.
Music Videography Highlights Daps has directed numerous iconic music videos for top-tier artists, including:
- Migos – “Bad & Boujee,” “T-Shirt,” “Slippery”
- Stormzy – “Big for Your Boots”
- Iggy Azalea – “Black Widow” (featuring Rita Ora), “Team”
- Kendrick Lamar – “King Kunta”
- Davido – “Fall,” “Like Dat”
- Wizkid – “Come Closer” (featuring Drake)
- 2 Chainz – “Blue Cheese” (featuring Migos)
- Lil Baby – “Close Friends”
