Few names in modern African music's visual language carry the same weight of intention and creativity as Anita Ashiru. As a well-known creative director and production designer, she is quietly and confidently creating the backdrop for Nigeria's most memorable pop images.
Her art goes beyond ornamentation, It is a world-building project. Anita creates environments that reverberate far beyond the frame, from the sun-drenched scenes in Davido's videos to the gloomy, textured sets that have fueled Burna boy's ascension. Every location she creates is a character in its own right, telling stories with light, architecture, and emotion.
Her studio at AA Creatives is more than just a production facility; it's also a visual laboratory. Anita's touch combines heritage and innovation, frequently incorporating cultural iconography, earthy tones, and experimental materials to give each piece a tangible personality.
Anita's growing acclaim, including the Future Awards Africa Prize for Creativity & Innovation (2024) and nominations from the Berlin Music Video Awards, has not dimmed her desire to collaborate. She is fiercely committed to mentoring the next generation, frequently collaborating with emerging stylists, set designers, and directors of photography to further the debate about African design.
Here are some of her work:
DAVIDO FT OMAH LAY - WITH YOU
BURNA BOY - UPDATE
DAVIDO FT ODUMODU BLVCK AND CHIKE - FUND
WIZKID - KESE (DANCE)
FIREBOY DML X SPRITE LIMELIGHT - MY STORY
1XBEX TVC
WOMEN ECONOMIC POWER CAMPAIGN - SHETANK X BELLANAIJA
DAVIDO FT FAVE - KANTE
ADEKUNLE GOLD - OGARANYAN
DAVIDO INFINIX NOTE 40
TECNO SPARK 10 X FIREBOY DML
HENNESSY CYPHER
But perhaps what distinguishes Anita is her unwavering trust in the power of women at the head of storytelling. Her settings not only elevate performers, but also rework narratives by highlighting African womanhood as vibrant, complex, and culturally based.
(C) VETRAMAGAZINE
At the mention of Kanye West, there are quite a few things that comes to mind
but "Yeezy Boost" is definitely one of them. Beyond the "Raponzel! let down your
hair" side of the rapper, many will attest to the fact that he's a fashion creative
who sures know what to do with a clothing material. He stood at the fore front of
the early years of street style. Gone are the days, when fashion trend was a sole
duty of the elite designers in Paris, London, or Milan. Today, rappers have
redefined the look, taking a blend of street swagger with luxury flair in what
almost anyone can feel comfortable in. Pharrell Williams talk of town Vivienne
Westwood hat to Kanye's fashion empire, these rappers have proven they are not
just wearing trends-they are creating them.
Take A$AP Rocky for example, he has literally turned himself to a walking
moodboard mixing High fashion with street sugar. One thing he has continually
proven is that fashion has no boundaries, so whether he's out on a casual even
with his wife, Rihanna, or at a high fashion front-row, he is always KILLIN IT! Then
there goes Tyler the Creator, Whose menswear collection have took a bold color
blocking and golf Le fleur line, reinventing the wheel about what we used to
believe in menswear. However, while the men have been killing it in the creative
room, the ladies have shown how daring they can be as well with daring fashion
piece. Cardi B's over the top Met Gala look is a daring example, taking cue at a
sculptural silhouette in a daring cutout.
If this does not paint the picture yet, then we need to wash your fashion sense
with bleach to rewrite the rules. But the real game changers are the amazing
collaborations. Travis Scott's Nike deals, Drake's NOCTA line, and Rihanna's Fenty
Puma collection are just a few mention in this power move bridging street culture
and luxury. These move have help democratize high fashion, turning rappers as
the real heroes making high fashion accessible.
(C) VETRAMAGAZINE
Tems just launched
The Leading Vibe Initiative, a groundbreaking platform designed to empower young women in Africa’s music industry.
Inspired by her own journey as a self-taught artist, Tems created the initiative to support emerging female singers, songwriters, producers, and engineers—especially those navigating the industry without formal training or connections.
The first edition kicks off August 8–9 in Lagos, offering immersive workshops, masterclasses, and mentorship sessions led by top industry professionals. Participants will gain access to creative tools, production software, and networking opportunities—all aimed at helping them shape the future of music across the continent.
Applications are open now for Nigerian women aged 18 to 35, with a deadline of July 13. You can learn more or apply via the official Leading Vibe Initiative site.
It’s not just a program—it’s a movement. Want help crafting a post or caption to spotlight it? I’ve got ideas.
(C) VETRAMAGAZINE
Sanjo Lawal is a Nigerian fine art photographer and multidisciplinary artist known for his vibrant, emotionally charged visuals that blend photography, digital painting, and cultural storytelling.
Born in 1997 and based in Lagos, Sanjo’s work is deeply rooted in Nigerian heritage, often using bold colors, recycled materials, and symbolic headpieces to explore themes of identity, spirituality, and resilience. His signature style includes rendering dark skin tones in near-charcoal shades to amplify contrast and celebrate African beauty.
He’s also the founder of Brothers Lawee, a fashion collective with his siblings, where they transform ceremonial lace fabrics into contemporary streetwear. His art series like Heavy is the Head and Time Custodian are visual metaphors for strength, legacy, and cultural pride.
Sanjo’s work has been exhibited internationally, featured at the AKAA Fair in Paris, and represented by the gallery This Is Not A White Cube, including editions like Headstart II, and he’s often described as a creative force who refuses to be boxed in—whether through photography, fashion, or storytelling.
Sanjo’s work aligns with Vetra Magazine’s ethos—it’s editorial, culturally rooted, visually compelling, and unapologetically bold. His art commands attention, invites conversation, and offers depth to fashion/lifestyle storytelling.
If we're curating fresh voices that elevate African culture in modern form—Sanjo Lawal is exactly who we speak with.
(C) VETRAMAGAZINE
Is this the new Hat? Prada SS26 flips the silhouette with sculptural flair and quite rebellion. Headwear just got a rethink.
(C) VETRAMAGAZINE
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