Nigerian singer-songwriter Kunmie in a monochrome shoot following the release of five new music videos from his debut album, 22. Photo Credit: Kunmie/Instagram
If you’ve been jamming to Kunmie‘s debut album, 22, you may already know that some of its songs come with visuals of their own. Five tracks in particular, “5AM,” “Tonight,” “Prisoner,” “Abeg O” and “Calvary,” have been given their own visual stories, adding another layer to the album.
Since “Arike” introduced Kunmie to a much wider audience, 22 has shown that there is more to his sound than one breakout record. Across the album, he moves through love, vulnerability, self-doubt and the search for peace, with guitar-led arrangements, layered vocals and choral harmonies carrying those themes. His reflections on home and his parents’ prayers for his journey make the project feel especially personal.
The five visuals pick up on some of those ideas, each taking a slightly different approach to the story behind the song.
5AM (featuring Phyno)
There is something about 5AM that naturally lends itself to reflection, and Kunmie leans into that mood here. The track features indigenous hip-hop star Phyno, with both artists sharing the visual in clean, atmospheric settings that leave plenty of space for their performances.
The early-hours feeling of the song comes through without the video trying to do too much, keeping the focus on the collaboration and the mood of the record.
Tonight
Love can be exciting, but Tonight sits with the less comfortable side of it: the fear of losing someone who means a lot to you. Kunmie brings that vulnerability into the visual through warm, muted lighting and close-up shots that keep the mood intimate. The stripped-back approach works particularly well for a song that feels like an honest conversation with yourself late at night.
Prisoner
Then there is Prisoner, where love and insecurity start to feel less like comfort and more like a trap. The visual reflects that idea through darker settings and carefully placed shadows, creating a sense of confinement around Kunmie’s performance. It gives the song’s emotional tension a physical setting while allowing the lyrics to remain at the centre of the story.
Abeg O
If Prisoner is about feeling trapped, Abeg O is about asking someone not to let you get hurt. The song finds Kunmie caught between affection and the fear that comes with giving someone your heart. Its visual keeps things performance-led, with expressive movement and scenes that follow the rhythm of the track and its repeated plea.
Calvary
With Calvary, Kunmie turns inward, exploring the search for peace of mind amid life’s noise, distractions and uncertainties. The visual uses symbolic imagery and steady shots to reflect that internal struggle, giving the song a more contemplative setting. It closes on a grounded note, echoing the idea that finding peace is often an ongoing journey rather than a destination.
The post From “5AM” With Phyno to “Calvary”: 5 Kunmie Videos to Watch From His Debut Album 22 appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.
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