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.
Abdulrasaq Adebayo Babalola, known as Perliks or A Perliks Definition, is a Nigerian music video director who began his career at the age of 17. Initially aspiring to be a footballer, doctor, or pilot, his career path changed when he accompanied his father, TELEMOON, a veteran Fuji music video director, to a shoot.
This experience sparked his interest in videography, and he began learning video editing before transitioning into directing.
Perliks’ early career saw him directing music videos for his friends in 2012, after he gained skills from his father. As he got bored with video directing, he ventured into photography, promising to make a statement in the field.
He achieved significant success, gaining recognition for his creative photography before returning to video direction.
Perliks has directed music videos for a wide range of notable Nigerian artists, including:
- Blaqbonez – Back in Uni (2022)
- BNXN feat. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez – Gwagwalada (2023)
- Rema – Charm (2023)
- Fireboy DML – Yawa (2023)
- Bnxn – Say My Name (2024)
