To Be a Man: Kizz Daniel Sparks Masculinity Debate

With a minimalist chrome backdrop and no distractions, the singer turns simplicity into philosophy

By Ibrahim Kegbegbe

When Nigerian superstar Kizz Daniel released his new single To Be a Man on August 28, 2025, he did more than drop another chart-topping hit—he offered a visual and philosophical statement on manhood. The music video, stripped of excess and filmed in a single studio against a chrome background, is an ode to simplicity, presence, and vulnerability.

For three uninterrupted minutes, the camera does not flinch. It is only Kizz Daniel on screen—no dancers, no backup performers, no elaborate set pieces. Yet, when the production was completed, the chrome backdrop came alive with a glamour that elevated the video beyond its minimalist setup. According to insiders close to the production, the entire shoot lasted no more than three hours. In an industry where weeks can be spent coordinating casts, exotic locations, and heavy editing, this approach is radical.

During the making of the music video of ‘To Be a Man’ by Kizz Daniel

It recalls a similar decision by fellow Nigerian artist Asake, who filmed Sunshine (released June 16, 2023) in a single exterior location, also as the sole figure in the frame. But while Asake’s sunlit landscapes communicated warmth and resilience, Kizz Daniel’s chrome studio speaks to solitude and introspection. Both musicians embraced the “less is more” philosophy, yet To Be a Man carries a unique punch: its very sparseness is a metaphor.

The song itself wrestles with the age-old adage, “To be a man is not a day’s job.” Generations across cultures have invoked this phrase to describe the burdens of responsibility, strength, and perseverance expected of men. But Kizz Daniel’s execution offers a subtle challenge. If a video of such depth and beauty can be conceived, executed, and finalized in mere hours, perhaps being a man is not solely about endurance or prolonged struggle. Instead, it may be about adaptability—versatility in the face of life’s shifting demands.

That interpretation matters in today’s climate. Across Africa and beyond, traditional understandings of masculinity are under strain. Economic uncertainty, mental health crises, and shifting gender roles have left many men questioning what it truly means to “be a man.” Kizz Daniel, whether intentionally or not, has given visual form to this conversation. The starkness of his video reflects the loneliness that can accompany manhood, while its energetic finish suggests that meaning and beauty can still emerge from simplicity.

After the production of the music video ‘To Be a Man’ by Kizz Daniel

Music videos are not merely entertainment; they are cultural texts. Western pop artists have long mined African backdrops for visual richness, from Beyoncé’s Black Is King to Major Lazer’s collaborations in Johannesburg. Nigerian artists, by contrast, are increasingly turning inward—using fewer props and focusing on authenticity rather than spectacle. Kizz Daniel’s To Be a Man is a prime example: less choreography, more soul.

Watching the musc video of ‘To Be a Man’ by Kizz Daniel on international television, Afropop

What emerges is a new proverb for a new era: “To be a man requires versatility.” Strength alone is no longer sufficient. Men must be flexible enough to navigate vulnerability, open enough to embrace solitude, and bold enough to find meaning even in simplicity.

In that sense, Kizz Daniel’s three-hour video shoot has done more than create a hit. It has sparked a rethinking of an old truth—reminding us that manhood, like art, is not about how long it takes to build, but how deeply it resonates when it is finally seen.

Ibrahim Kegbegbe is a journalist and public affairs analyst. He writes from Lagos.