10 of our Favorite Creatives of 2018

What a year 2018 has been, especially for the creatives changing the game in their respective industries! Whether that’s directing hit music videos or even capturing breathtaking street style photography, these creatives took this year BY STORM. Check out OneTribeMag’s Top 10 Creatives list of 2018 for a look at who we thought shined this year. Be sure to follow and keep up with all those mentioned below!

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Jide Osifeso

Did you see those fly Nike Sportswear suits TDE artist Kendrick Lamar wore during the DAMN. tour this year? Guess who designed them. YES, JIDE DID! Not only did Jide design numerous suits in collaboration with Nike Sportswear and other apparel for Kendrick, but he also designed Jordan Jerseys, redesigned the Nike Sportswear logo, and created graphics for Jaden Smith’s ‘Syre’ album and Vision tour… ALL IN 2018.

All the accolades to you, Jide.

Jide’s Instagram

Grace Ladoja

London-based cultural curator, photographer and filmmaker Grace Ladoja was welcomed into 2018 with an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) awarded to her by the queen for her services to the music industry. Amazing way to start 2018, huh? But wait… there’s more! Grace also was a creative partner with Nike for Nigeria’s journey to the World Cup, made British Vogue’s Vogue 25 list of extraordinary leaders defining and redefining the way we live now, and as Skepta’s manager, had a hand in the success of his music video for ‘Energy’.

All I can say is, “wow.”

Grace’s Instagram

Tunde Ogundipe

I’m sure many of you have heard of Afro Hub, Spotify’s one-stop for a wide range of music within Africa and its diaspora. Tunde, Spotify’s Global Lead of African Music and Cultures, was appointed to lead this initiative, promote African culture, and ensure it is recognized all around the world.

Tunde, thank you for looking out for us.

Tunde’s Instagram

Tunji Balogun

Keep Cool

Tunji gathered his A&R expertise to start record label Keep Cool with RCA Records and a team of his smartest, most talented friends. Keep Cool has signed artists like VanJess, Normani, and Lucky Daye all in this year… the SAME year the record label was created. Tunji was making nothing but boss moves all of 2018! Not to mention, he also made Variety’s 2018 Hitmakers list.

I STAN TUNJI.

Tunji’s Instagram

Keep Cool’s Instagram

Trevor Stuurman

Trevor Stuurman was everywhere doing everything in 2018!

Let’s take a look at what he did this year:

1. 1. Featured on GQ Style Vol.14 Spring/Summer 2018/19 as the King of Creativity
   2. Published on British Vogue for the first time for his photos of the Afropunk Festival street style
   3. Invited by Naomi Campbell to document Arise Fashion Week in Lagos
   4. Published AGAIN on British Vogue for capturing Arise Fashion Week street style in Lagos
   5. Collaborated on Ciara’s Freak Me music video in Soweto
   6. Invited to document the former US President’s Kenya tour where THE Barack Obama complimented Trevor on his African print suit
   7. Keynote speaker of the Airbnb Africa Travel Summit 2018
   8. Shared his first contribution to Vogue Mexico
   9. Collaborated with Nike and Caster Semenya for the Born To Do It Camp in Soweto to empower the youth of South Africa

Talented AND multifaceted.

Trevor’s Instagram

Edward Enninful

Edward is a trailblazer in the fashion industry. He has been submersed in the fashion world for majority of his life starting out as fashion director of British magazine i-D at the age of 18! Earlier this year, he was honored with The Media Award at The CFDA Awards presented by Oprah in recognition of his impactful contribution to the industry throughout his career at British Vogue and this month he also celebrated his one-year anniversary at British Vogue Magazine as editor-in-chief.

 Edward, an inspiration.

Edward’s Instagram

Meji Alabi

I don’t have enough fingers (and toes) to count how many hit music videos director and photographer, Meji has directed… let alone in 2018. He’s directed some of your favorites like Get It Now – Tiwa Savage, Come Again – Swizz Beatz ft Giggs, Jungle – Nasty C, Energy – Skepta, Pon My Mind – Maleek Berry, and my personal favorite, Assurance – Davido.

Highly anticipating what music videos he’ll direct in 2019.

Meji’s Instagram

Ciesay and Soulz

Places + Faces

Ciesay and Soulz’s Places + Faces demanded their respect in 2018 as more than just a Tumblr page which is how they initially got started; this year marks their 5th year of being in the game. This duo consists of photographers based in London who transformed their Tumblr page into a rap brand known all over the world for their community, lifestyle, merchandise, photography, and overall impact in contemporary rap culture. In 2018, Ciesay and Soulz had two explosive drops for Places + Faces: “First Collection” introducing their evolution from screen-printing to cut-sew and FW18 featuring logo t-shirts, sweats, shoulder bags, tracksuits, and windbreakers.

The evolution is truly remarkable, I’m impressed.

Ciesay’s Instagram

Soulz’s Instagram

Places+Faces Instagram

Stephanie C. Nnamani

Studio Theory

Stephanie C. Nnamani is a Nigerian visual artist and founder + creative director of Studio Theory. She specializes in documentary and editorial photography, essay-writing, graphic design and much more. Her talents are used to do more than tell a story… she has the gift of reeling her audience into the deeper, immersive understanding of anything she creates. This year, Stephanie’s #THEBLACKVICTORIAN was awarded in PDN Online’s PDN Annual 2018. #OFTHESOILANDSOUL, SIBLINGS OF THE SUN, and “An Earth, Wild,” are a few of her creations from this year.

 Take your time when going through her website, you’ll be amazed.

Stephanie’s Instagram

Studio Theory’s Instagram

Ebun Olaloye

LiveBreathFUTBOL

Ebun is the founder of LiveBreathFutbol, an apparel brand based in Philadelphia producing lifestyle soccer-themed clothing. 2018 was an impactful year for Ebun being that LiveBreathFutbol officially expanded to the UK as LBF UK, collaborated with Portland Thorns FC on a limited-edition six-piece collection, and joined forces with Adidas Football (Soccer) to create an “immersive futbol experience” at the 2018 United Soccer Coaches Convention in Philadelphia.

More goals and success to you in 2019.

Ebun’s Instagram

LiveBreathFutbol’s Instagram