Discover 10 Afrobeats music videos that brilliantly revive Nollywood and Ghallywood’s iconic Y2K era with nostalgia, drama, and vintage aesthetics.
West African cinema, led by Nollywood (Nigeria) and Ghallywood (Ghana), has significantly shaped African pop culture. These industries, though distinct, shared a golden era in the early 2000s, with frequent cross-border collaborations that blurred the lines between Ghanaian and Nigerian films. Their melodramatic storytelling, grainy visuals, and bold fashion defined the Y2K aesthetic, influencing not just film but music as well.
Today, Afrobeats artists continue to draw from this era, channeling its signature elements into their videos. From Lady Donli’s nostalgic callbacks to Cruel Santino’s eerie horror motifs, here are ten Afrobeats videos that pay homage to the golden age of West African cinema.
1. Lady Donli – Corner
Directed by Shaun Kalu, Lady Donli’s Corner is a striking homage to old Nollywood, from its fashion choices to its dramatic action sequences. Featuring Nigerian-American sisters VanJess and highlife revivalists The Cavemen, the video portrays Donli as a revolutionary figure, leading an uprising against the tyrannical Base Boys. The grainy cinematography and over-the-top acting make this a nostalgic throwback to early Nollywood action films.
2. Darkoo – Focus On Me (All The Sexy Girls In The Club)
Darkoo’s latest music video is a vibrant homage to Nigerian cinema’s golden era, brimming with bold colors, vintage cinematography, and over-the-top dramatics. Sampling P-Square’s 2009 classic Gimme Dat, the visuals lean into the rich aesthetics of the early 2000s —complete with exaggerated expressions, nostalgic fashion, and playful storytelling.
3. Ayra Starr ft. CKay – Beggie Beggie
Ayra Starr embraces classic Naija romance in Beggie Beggie, bringing a nostalgic touch to the visuals directed by Director K. Set against the backdrop of a house party, the video traces her transformation from a heartbroken lover to a woman taking back control—echoing the dramatic arcs of beloved Nollywood films. Reflecting on the inspiration behind the video, Ayra Starr said in a statement about the visual: “I thought it would be fun and beautiful to re-create that era and its influence on pop culture as a whole.”
4. Br3nya – Outside
Directed by Melody Berkery, Outside playfully nods to Nigerian movie classics, particularly the 2006 film Girls Cot. The video captures the era’s signature storytelling, bold fashion, and musical nostalgia. The song itself samples Fefe Ne Fe, the early 2000s Ghanaian hit by Tic Tac featuring Nigeria’s Tony Tetuila—further underscoring the deep cultural ties between the two nations. UK-based artist Br3nya, of Ghanaian descent, effortlessly fuses her heritage with modern sounds, making Outside both a tribute to the past and a fresh take on contemporary Afrobeats.
5. Cruel Santino – Freaky
Cruel Santino brings a fresh twist to Nollywood’s early 2000s horror aesthetic in Freaky, a grainy, self-directed visual that channels the eerie atmosphere of vintage supernatural films. Featuring Nonso Amadi and Bridge, the video follows Cruel Santino as he takes on the role of an exorcist, blending suspenseful storytelling with over-the-top performances. With its unsettling imagery and nostalgic nods to Nigerian cult horror classics, Freaky is a cinematic tribute to the genre’s dramatic and supernatural flair.
6. Cruel Santino – Raw Dinner
Cruel Santino’s Raw Dinner feels like a direct portal to the eerie world of the early 2000s Nigerian horror movie genre. With shadowy visuals, unsettling supernatural themes, and abrupt bursts of violence, the video mirrors the spine-chilling essence of classics like Living in Bondage and Blood Diamonds. Its haunting aesthetic perfectly encapsulates the suspense and mystique that defined the era’s most unforgettable thrillers.
7. Tems – Damages
Tems’ Damages music video brings Nigerian cinema nostalgia to life with a sepia-toned aesthetic, set in a grand mansion. The styling—short skirts, leather hats, and chunky hoop earrings—perfectly encapsulates the fashion and party scenes of Nollywood’s golden era. The video’s setting and wardrobe choices reinforce the enduring influence of Y2K Nollywood on contemporary African pop culture.
8. Odunsi – Wetin Dey
A direct nod to Ruff Rugged N Raw’s 2005 hit of the same name, Odunsi’s Wetin Dey video takes viewers on a throwback journey. With bucket hats, oversized shirts, and quick-cut transitions, the visuals are a love letter to early 2000s Nigerian movies. Odunsi successfully recreates the carefree energy of the era, bringing a fresh perspective to classic aesthetics.
9. Teezee & Knucks – Do Me Jeje
A pioneer of the alté movement, Teezee brings a fresh take on Y2K nostalgia in Do Me Jeje. Directed by Ghana’s Yaw Phanta—known for his psychedelic hip-hop visuals—the video seamlessly fuses vintage aesthetics with a contemporary edge. Retro fonts, classic video transitions, and bold fashion choices pay homage to Nollywood’s golden era while maintaining a modern, stylish feel.
10. Raquel – Lovi Dovi
Ghanaian singer Raquel embraces Ghanaian classic romantic drama tropes in Lovi Dovi. Directed by Pascal Aka and filmed in Accra, the video follows her infatuation with a handsome but indifferent mechanic—a plot reminiscent of vintage West African love stories. With its vivid color palette, expressive performances, and dramatic tension, the visuals perfectly capture the charm and nostalgia of the classic Ghanaian romantic comedy flick.
