No one is exactly certain where it started or with which artiste it did. Somewhere in the process of reinventing itself, the Nigerian music video industry happened on a smart idea; get friends, contemporaries, well wishers to feature for free in your music video eliminating huge models’ appearance fees.

Overkilling Video Appearance

This intro is for eagle-eyed family and friends who have been spotting my millisecond-head-nodding appearance on Djinee’s blazing hot Overkilling video. Let’s clear the air, I wasn’t paid for it, merely a personal arrangement between the artiste and I (please no reading between the lines!). Really, if I were contracted would I be content with a fraction of a second frame shot of myself..? no way! I would have been all over the screen such that people would be confused whose video it is, Djinee’s or Adenrele’s?

Working in the media has naturally brought me into proximity with scores of gifted and inspiring Nigerians. Like in my off-the-job people encounters, some of these relationships I nurture, others I discard and some I allow the tide carry us. While, I’ve always been a huge fan of Djinee’s refreshing originality as a musician, I would have politely declined if I were asked to appear scandalously-clad and rump-shaking. No disrespect to professionals who get paid to do that; after all, it is widely believed that sexually titillating symbolism can sell practically anything (authenticity of this theory in relation to the product and its target consumers will be interesting subject of writing for another day).

For Overkilling, I didn’t particularly mind being seen on the video of a song with a strong positive message (which is explicitly reviewed on this blog). Nonetheless, I was snagged between being a video hottie ⎯ without coming across as sleazy ⎯ while also keeping a tough mien in line with the videos theme. A very complicated mix and the end result?.. comme ci, comme ça! (so-so). In totality though, the video rocks (superb SFX by Pixel Chaos), is very likely to win awards and worth every kobo of purchase.

On a witty note, my cheeky brother informed me that I’d landed myself a free gate pass into the hip-est and swankiest social establishments in Lagos simply on face recognition! My comment on that would be… coooool!!! However, after series of cameo video shoots and life successes, my existence should count for much more on earth just like a tree whose leaves are evergreen.

Now that would be super coooool!!!

Glossary

Waka Pass: A phrase used in contemporary Nollywood parlance to explain a very small and almost forgettable part played by an actor/actress. Also known as ‘Walk-On’ in Hollywood.