It’s 2009 and a young Enos Olik is rocking out with his three-man band, Aziza Muzik. Fast-forward to a few years later, he would be the guy every musician in Kenya is speed-dialling for their next visual masterpiece
When I started in music, I knew I wanted to tell bigger stories. Music videos were my playground, where I learned the ropes,” he recalls.
Yet here’s where it gets interesting. Not content with making four-minute mini-movies, Enos decided to stretch his creative muscle to TV land, as if making Sauti Sol look good in Nishike wasn’t stimulating enough.
That video was a game-changer,” Enos chuckles, probably while polishing his ‘Most Sought-After Director’ trophy in his mind.
“It was bold, fresh, and it got people talking. Plus, working with Sauti Sol was an absolute blast. We went from high school choir boys to music video bad boys together!”, he adds.
Still, there were higher hurdles to be cleared and in 2021, he dived headfirst into the TV pool with Famous, a music drama series. In the heart of Nairobi’s vibrant entertainment scene, Enos Olik quickly became synonymous with visual storytelling. In this rat race of career leapfrogs and winning while at it, this year he was at it once again, directing Jiji.
Jiji isn’t just another show. Oh no, it’s Enos taking us on a riotous ride where four young girls are giving a local kingpin more headaches than the government, in one of the toughest city neighbourhoods.
In music videos, every shot needs to be a hit, like a well-timed verse. On TV, it’s the same, but for an hour straight. No pressure, right?”, he explains his transition from music videos to TV.
He says you have to serve the story like one dishing out sage advice at the film school buffet.
Every shot should amplify the story. It’s like seasoning in a good meal—it has to enhance the flavour; not make you wonder if you accidentally licked a salt block”
So, what next for this visual genius who can’t seem to be done dreaming big? Well, he’s got his sights set on a historical narrative about Kenya.
It would be a dream come true,” he says, eyes twinkling, “It’s the perfect time to celebrate our heritage and share it with the world. I always had big dreams,” Olik reflects, his eyes again sparkling with the same passion that drove him to become one of Kenya’s most sought-after directors.
And who knows what he’ll do next? Direct traffic? Choreograph flash mobs during maandamano? Whatever it is, we’re all here for it, popcorn in hand.
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