I’ve been looking for an opportunity to direct a music video for a long time.

I’ve worked with a number of amazing artists over the years as a photographer and always wanted to take the plunge into directing. Opportunities popped up from time to time but always fell flat when we did the production costings. Funding a music video can be quite challenging.

I finally got the chance towards the end of last year. Mo’fire music executive producer, Goodwill Ndlovu, called me and asked me to produce and direct the music video for Kanyi’s second single on her debut album “Lintombi-zifikile”. we ran the numbers and could make it fit. Just. With a little help from our friends.

Goodwill set up a meeting with Kanyi and we discussed the concept for the video. Her vision was clear, to the point of giving me a hand sketched, very specific storyboard. I always like working with clear briefs and was impressed that such a young, upcoming rap artist, had gone to that amount of effort. I loved the narrative and we discussed our options.

Production is always challenging. Budget compounds the challenges. Anything is possible with time and money. Working with artists is exceptionally challenging as we don’t allow ourselves to be bound by what many people consider ‘normal’. Most of the featured cast, are musicians, artists. The casts performances were exceptional, each person bringing their seasoning to the mix.

The editing phase was exceptionally challenging. Budget. Egos. Exclusion. Urgh. Four editors later (not my doing!) I’ve arrived at the director’s cut. On brief. ‘Ungalibali’ is not a main stream rap song. The music video is not a main stream rap video. It’s an African story with universal relevance.

With special thanks to the featured cast being Kanyi; Unathi ‘Lady Slice’ Jacobs, as Kanyi’s friend; Bronwen de Klerk as the receptionist; Michael-Ashley Jones as the executive’s assistant; Shaun ‘Kritsi’ Jonas as record exec 1; Kholekile Buyana as record exec 2; Thando Mpemnyama as  record exec 3, Nonhlanhla Tiger-Lily Mditshwa as the fashion stylist; Lelethu Godongwana as the fashion photographer; as well as the extras and crew being Goodwill Ndlovu the executive producer; Cinga Samson the assistant director, Nonhlanhla Mditshwa the wardrobe artist; Thandeka Candice Steenkamp the hair & make-up artist and Bronwen de Klerk the behind the scenes photographer. Many, many more people helped in one way or another. To you all, thank you. You rock. Respect.

I’m amped to do another. Differently.

Call me. Leave a message if I don’t answer. I’ll call you back.