Introduction
ThankGod Omori Jesam known professionally as TG Omori or Boy Director, is one of Nigeria’s most prominent music video directors and cinematographers. While clamoring for recognition in his early career, Omori stayed dedicated to honing his craft which has now cemented him as the industry leader in Afrobeats music visuals.
In this blog post, we will take an in-depth look at TG Omori’s biography covering details about his age, upbringing, origin, breakthrough in the industry, career highlights and success over the years directing impactful music videos. By understanding Omori’s journey and passion, we gain more appreciation for his contribution in elevating Nigerian and African music globally through high-quality, creative visual storytelling.
Early Life and Background
TG Omori was born on June 8, 1995 in Agungi, a town located in the Ika North East local government area of Delta state, Nigeria. He hails from a middle-class household and is the eldest child with younger siblings.
Growing up in Lagos, Omori showed an early interest and passion for filmmaking. Even from a young age, he would direct and film stage plays in his secondary school and at his local church. This hands-on experience in his formative years helped nurture his directing skills and flare for visual storytelling.
By the time Omori completed secondary school, he was already well-versed in film production basics like camera operation, lighting, editing etc. However, due to financial constraints, his father advised him to take up a job as a waiter in a restaurant rather than pursue film school which was seen as risky. But Omori’s dedication to his craft couldn’t be deterred.
Breakthrough in the Industry
Not wanting to give up on his dreams, Omori started assisting other music video directors free of charge, learning valuable lessons on set and building his network. In 2015, he got his big break after directing “Gobe” by Zlatan Ibile which was hugely popular and gained over 2 million views on YouTube.
The success of this debut video catapulted Omori’s career and marked his emergence as a sought-after director in the Nigerian music scene. In quick succession, he went on to direct many more hits like “Science Student” by Olamide, “Wo!!” by Tiwa Savage x Dj Tunez x Rema and “Mamace” by Olamide x Phyno which raised his profile immensely.
By 2017, TG Omori was firmly established as one of the leading music video makers in Africa renowned for his unique vision, creativity and ability to bring afrobeats songs to life onscreen. His craftsmanship, technical skills and intuition for compelling visual storytelling stood out.
Visual Style and Signature Touches
Over the years, Omori has refined his own distinct visual language and style that fans have come to associate with quality music videos. Some signature touches that have become synonymous with his work include:
- Gorgeous long shots filmed with drone cameras, capturing birds-eye views of landscapes and talent.
- Artistic cut-scenes using split screens, overlaying frames, fast cuts and freeze frames for impact.
- Intricate choreography and engaging storyline tied seamlessly into the song.
- Vivid colors, moody lighting and fluid camera movements for a cinematic feel.
- Filming in exotic locations across Africa and beyond for an epic production scale.
- Conceptual themes bringing out raw emotions and afrobeats essence through meaningful imagery.
This recognizable style has enabled TG Omori’s videos to stand out amidst the countless others, leaving an indelible impression on viewers through rich storytelling and jaw-dropping visual spectacles.
Major Collaborations and Milestones
Some notable collaborations and career milestones that underscore TG Omori’s prowess include:
- Directing Wizkid’s critically-acclaimed “Fever” video which has over 100 million YouTube views to date.
- Shooting Davido’s “Fall” video which took afrobeats global and currently sits at over 200 million views.
- Partnering with Burna Boy for videos of hit songs “On The Low”, “Killin Dem” and “Last Last” cementing their successful working relationship.
- Directing multiple videos for industry giants like Tiwa Savage, Olamide, Rema, Zlatan, Joeboy giving each project his unique creative touch.
- Receiving The Headies Award in 2021 for Best Music Video and City People Music Award too, affirming his importance.
- Filming videos outside Africa in stunning European locations for a more universal appeal.
- Growing his production house, REX, as a coveted service for artistes seeking high production value visuals.
These remarkable collaborations with A-list talent illustrate Omori’s unparalleled skill at breathing new life into songs and taking afrobeats visuals to the pinnacle on the global stage.
Impact and Legacy
TG Omori has undoubtedly raised the bar for Nigerian music videos through his body of incredible work over the past decade. He is widely credited with redefining the afrobeats music video format and aesthetic globally.
His videos are known to exponentially boost streams and airplay for songs, cementing them as enduring fan favorites. As such, Omori has played a catalytic role in breaking many Nigerian acts and projects to international audiences.
Moreover, TG Omori is an advocate for better structure and compensation within the music video industry. He has lobbied for the need to recognize directors as co-creators deserving of fair royalties from the commercial success of their works.
Besides his craft, Omori is admired for being humble and dedicating himself fully to each new project. He is an inspiration for young creatives seeking to make their mark. Through his journey, TG Omori has proven that talent, perseverance and passion can help one reach the pinnacle of their field against all odds.
Personal Life and Future Outlook
Away from work, TG Omori values family and privacy. Not much is known about his personal life except that he is based in Lagos alongside his brother and crew members at REX house.
As one of the leading figures spearheading Nigeria’s entertainment renaissance, Omori looks primed to accomplish even greater feats. His movies like “Dwindle” indicate ambitions beyond music visuals.
Given his ceaseless experimentation, it will be exciting to see new innovations from TG Omori as afrobeats continues burgeoning. He no doubt holds much promise to elevate the craft of visual storytelling and put African creative talents on the world map.
Conclusion
TG Omori’s inspiring journey mirrors the steady rise of afrobeats on the global cultural scene. Through dedication and matchless skills honed over the years, he has established himself as the foremost music video director in Africa driving the genre’s popularity.
Omori’s indelible contributions will undoubtedly be felt for years to come as the foundation he laid continues influencing new generations of creatives. There is no questioning his immense talent, which when coupled with humble virtues, made him an exemplary leader in his field. As his illustrious career progresses even farther, more groundbreaking work can be expected from this visionary storyteller.
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