Essential Videographers & Directors To Look Out For In 2021

With the worldwide pandemic happening, the year 2020 did not make it any easy to shoot music videos, but of course, creativity is part of an artist's calibre, some were able to shoot content right at their place, and some, of course, took the risks and went about finding locations to make the vision come alive. We all know that some success in a song is by visual representation, but we sometimes don't really know who the people behind the lens are.

From respected videographers & directors with a few years under their belt to rising newcomers, here is a list of the FEW that you should check out;

1. Nape Phasha.

Nape Phasha, very well known within the entertainment industry, with respectable work that he managed to be a part of over the last few years. The director was well in his bag in the year 2020 and was given the honour to shoot the official music video for 'Bakae' by Boity, with the most recent one being 'Risky' by the now Internationally recognized South African singer & songwriter, Elaine. The video is sitting well over 2 million views.

2. Argentina Fargo

We all know that, when it comes to music videos, Costa Titch has the best team creative direction of teammates. Argentina Fargo has been introduced to us as the man behind Costa Titch's mega hits including 'Nkalakhatha Remix', 'Thembi' featuring Boity, and his now current 'Areyeng' music video by Costa Titch featuring Riky Rick & DJ Maphorisa. With a great creative eye, Argentina Fargo knows how to create the best of whatever space given to him.

3. Artvillain.

Renowned photographer, now cinematographer, Artvillain, has recently jumped on the boat and shared his work as a director and cinematographer to his followers with the latest releases from Frank Casino. Having studied the art, there's really no way one could box this creative. Artvillain seemed to have his impact on a small scale in 2020, but 2021 looks promising on his end, as he is one of the new guys in the film space that you should be keeping a close eye on.

4. ZeeTakesNicePics.

On the contrary of his name, Zee really takes nice videos too. Believed to be boxed in with the 'photographer' label, Zee has shown (on countless occasions) that he should be the guy you request when looking for a music video. His current work being for Tum Tladi's 'Basadi Remix' featuring Rouge & Moozlie. Sticking true to Tumi Tladi's theme of 'Basadi', Zee gives us a directed visual representation of skits, and choreography.

5. Morale Pablo Phala of Clout Cassette.

Working on his film workshop, creative director and videographer, Morale Phala is no stranger to the tongues. Having to be one of the most consistent creatives, the guy definitely stays in his bag. Having to work with the likes of A-Reece, Cassper Nyovest & The Big Hash, just to name a few, Morale has definitely earned his stripes in the film industry as the founder of his imprint Clout Cassette.

6. Darion 4K.

One of the few creative's that has been doing it for a while, and doing a great job at it, Darion 4K is no stranger in the game, with many hits under his belt that he has been a part of behind the lens, Darion 4K is definitely the go-to guy if you're looking for high-end budgeted quality. His current work 'Ungazincishi' by Riky Rick featuring Focalistic, which is sitting over half a million views.

7. Thabz The Storyteller (Tales Of The Cool).

We got introduced to the company 'Tales Of The Cool' in the year 2020, which involves the film & television student, Thabz the storyteller. One of the new guys on the block and the work sure speaks 'SEASONED'. Make sure you check out the visuals he handled for 031 Choppa's song 'Ingane'.

8. Creative Maniac.

Gillead, known as Creative Maniac, is one of the unique rising creators that specializes in the use special effects, Creative Maniac has been working really closely with new wave artists such as Major Steez & Blxckie, just to name the few. Not much of his work as a music video director is available as yet, but is one to keep a look out for.

9. Young Matee.

Visuals specialist, Young Matee is a popular name among the new wave, especially for the work he has done with brother duo Major Steez and the new work with DJ Sliqe. Another creative that doesn't have much of his work out, but the quality presented is eye gazing.

10.  Brian O'Haze &  Grimmshots. 

Brian O'Haze has been working behind the scenes with a couple of musicians in the industry, and his work is undeniably good. Having to work closely with the Neverbroke team, his recent work is KashCPT's music video for 'Jasmine' featuring J Molley. Working as a director, Brian O'Haze worked with photographer and visual director Emille, known as Grimmshots. A promising year ahead for Grimm as he is the official in-house visual artist of Neverbroke.

11. Nigel Veggies.

Nigel Stockl professionally known as Nigel Veggies is one of the veterans in the field of of production. The SAMA nominee videographer is advanced in music video production and has worked with countless of musicians, with a wide range of hip-hop and amapiano. One guy who needs no introduction. 

This is just a list of a few essential guys that are the reason behind all the final work of music videos we see on screen. They're clocking in their 10 000 hours, and are the guys you should be looking up. Feel free to list your own few videographers down in the comment section to keep the conversations going.