Burna Boy, Simi, Davido… Peep the 10 best videos of 2015

Visuals interpret a song, bringing it to life in ways that the audio experience alone cannot quite manage. We present to you 10 of the most striking we saw this year. From bottom to top.

10. King Kong- Vector ft. Phyno, Reminisce, Uzi, Classiq

Perhaps the best rap collaboration of the year in terms of pure thrill seeking pleasure, the stunning, weirdly creepy visuals for King Kong remix are reflective of Jay Z’s On to the next one but it is done so well, it demands to be on this list.

9. The Sound- Davido ft. Uhuru and DJ Buckz

Davido loves to splash money on his videos and The Sound is proof that when it comes to making videos, no expense should be spared. From a blistering desert trek to the exotic cars and fabulous night life telegraphed on screen, it is hard to look away when Davido demands for your attention like he does here.

8. See us now- JJC ft. Kate Henshaw

The entry for patriotic video of the year, JJC enlists Nollywood sweetheart Kate Henshaw for an uplifting, affirming salute to motherland. Even though there is plenty wrong with Nigeria at the moment, See us now offers hope that things can get better.

7. Soke- Burna Boy

Burna Boy’s penchant for creating beautifully raw videos shows its hand once more in this interesting take that attempts to connect audio to visuals seamlessly.

6. Karishika- Falz ft. Phyno, Chi gul

The dark, haunting, noirish mood for this video is in keeping with the antecedents of its subject, a now classic Nollywood demon queen who wreaks havoc on the lives of people she comes across. Falz and Phyno complement each other nicely and the guys at AJE filmworks do a brilliant job of dreaming up a hellish landscape that is at once fiery and enticing.

5. Daniella whine- Patoranking

Clarence Peter’s gritty urban landscape is a perfect fit for dancehall star Patoranking’s increasing obsession with the Beenie Man sound and style of the oughties. It all comes alive in this video as the fun, brightly coloured dancers exist in contrast to the rundown surroundings.

4. Right now- Seyi Shay

When you sign a new record deal with a UK based label and you want to make a play for the international market, this is the kind of video you make. Simple, appealing and very tastefully done, Ms Shay’s Right now may bite a little from its obvious Western influences but it casts her in a great light, as a woman ready to play in the big leagues.

3. Connect- Phyno

Sometimes simple is easy and for Connect, Phyno hightails it back to his childhood haunts in Enugu state. It is a trick he has pulled before with Man of the year but the Clarence Peters directed video for Connect reaches farther and tugs on plenty a heartstring. Who says you can’t go home again?

2. Jamb question- Simi

Away from the bustling city of Lagos to the semi urban hills of Abeokuta, Simi finds refreshing ways to interpret her well-worn tale of one sided attraction. A subtle throwback to the 70’s, Jamb question is tastefully accomplished with crisp images, bright costumes and a funny Falz guest appearance. Impossible to resist.

1. Out the magazine- Lindsay

Kemi Adetiba directed this expressive video playing heavily with colours, lightning and fun choreography. The video elevates Lindsay’s soulful admonition to step out of comfort zones and gives it fresh life as it traces a young girl’s journey from sheltered kid to wizened woman. What more can you demand from a music video?