JOIN THE ROOM — Our Private Member CommunityWeekly Sunday Signal, monthly Live Rooms, quarterly gatherings in Lagos, London & beyond.https://www.patreon.com/c/AfropolitanpodcastDammy Twitch has directed music videos across 30+ countries, built his career from an unpaid behind-the-scenes role on a Nigerian TV show, and the night he met Rihanna outside Selfridges  she already knew his name. In this episode, he breaks down what it actually takes to build a creative career from nothing in Lagos, why the naira collapse changed the economics of Afrobeats visuals forever, and what his debut feature film Color of My Life cost him to make. We unpack why big-budget music video culture died in Nigeria, what a 10-minute scene at a Lagos restaurant actually costs a filmmaker, and why the directors who collaborate are the ones winning. Plus — AI micro dramas, the distribution problem no one has solved, and why he's still here while everyone else japa'd.Dammy breaks down:• Why the naira collapse killed the big-budget music video era• What a 10-minute scene at a Lagos location actually costs• How he got selected out of four videographers on Davido's tour• Why he refuses to japa — and who he thinks should stay home• The night Rihanna shouted his name outside Selfridges• AI micro dramas and where Nigerian film is actually heading• The real cost of making Color of My Life and getting it into cinemasEPISODE SPONSORSVBAN — Open a free global account in minutes. Use code AFROPOLITAN: https://vban.comRisevest — Invest in US stocks, crypto, ETFs and the Nigerian market. Use code AFROPOLITAN: https://risevest.comAUNTY'S SCULPTURE COLLECTIONA limited collection by Anthony Azekwoh x Afropolitan. 100 pieces. Application only.https://formless.ai/c/q1GB9jAzOWTrCONVO BY AFROPOLITANBook 1:1 calls with Africa's boldest thinkers: https://convo.vip/WHERE TO FIND DAMMY TWITCHInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dammytwitchTwitter/X: https://x.com/dammytwitchAFROPOLITANTwitter/X: https://x.com/afropolitanInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/afropolitanpodcastNewsletter: https://www.afropolitan.io/newsletterPatreon:https://www.patreon.com/c/Afropolitanpodcast0:00 - Intro2:12 - The biggest misconception about filmmakers3:26 - What a music video really costs5:31 - Why artists stopped shooting music videos6:32 - Can Afrobeats and film finally merge?9:21 - Knowing your value in the room11:31 - The come-up & the story no one knows13:53 - The Davido tour & his first music video17:14 - How video budgets exploded20:31 - Working with rival artists23:55 - The philosophies he lives by26:49 - Why he never left Nigeria28:21 - Visas, travel & the Nigerian passport32:08 - How he actually uses AI34:33 - AI videos, micro dramas & "give Nigeria 40 years"38:05 - Making timeless art40:00 - Convincing his parents to let go of the degree42:38 - When Rihanna knew his name43:56 - The real cost of "Call of My Life"48:04 - Nollywood's YouTube machine49:16 - Micro dramas: the future of distribution51:32 - Romance vs heartbreak: the films he carries53:40 - Have you ever been in love?59:18 - Rapid fire1:02:37 - The most underrated person in film1:03:45 - The video he's most proud of1:05:31 - The film era he loves1:07:08 - Where to watch "Call of My Life"1:09:24 - The meaning behind his name1:10:57 - Who he wants in the chair next1:12:00 - How films get into theaters1:16:24 - Wrap-up