MTV set to premiere Shuga

on the set of Shuga

With the long-awaited world premiere just over two weeks away and World AIDs Day 2013 (1 December) fast approaching, MTV Base and the MTV Staying Alive team are putting the final touches to the third series of Shuga, the award winning drama about love, life and relationships among urban African youth.
(more after the cut)



Director Biyi Bandele, and cast members from Nigeria and around the world are expected at the glittering red carpet premiere of Shuga Series 3, to be held at the Silverbird Galleria in Lagos on 26 November.  The Nigerian music and entertainment community will also be out in force at the event, thanks to the participation of Nigerian musicians such as Tiwa Savage, Ice Prince, Chidinma, Sound Sultan, Iyanya and Kcee, who are among the many contemporary artists to be involved in the series, either in the title track, soundtrack or in cameo roles.

Set against the clubs, bars and student hangouts of Lagos, Shuga relates a bitter-sweet tale of love, betrayal, relationships and miscommunication among the youth of contemporary Lagos.  Along the way we follow the interlinking stories of DJ wannabe Foye, her music promoter boyfriend Ekene, their old friend Femi (Emmanuel Ikubese reprising his role from Shuga: Love, Sex, Money), club owner Sade and her rebellious son Weki, mercenary student Sophie and her precocious young sister, Princess, medical student David and his room-mate Tobi, young marrieds Nii and Malaika, and ruthless businessman Solomon and his sleazy associate, Osaro, as they navigate the alluring yet hazard-strewn landscape of love, passion, sex, temptation, relationships, growing up, and learning to be a responsible adult in contemporary Africa.

Written by Kemi Adesoye, Tunde Aladese, Omotunde Akiode, Ayoade Adeyanju, Victor Sanchez and Biyi Bandele, and directed by Biyi Bandele, and features stars Maria Okanrende, Tiwa Savage, Okezie Morro, Chris Attoh, Ikubese Emmanuel Ifeanyi, Nick Mutuma, Dorcas Shola Fapson, Leonora Okine as well as a host of other stars.

Ice Prince, Iyanya and MTV VJ Ehis Okoeguale make cameo appearances in the series. The title track for the series, “Sweet Like Shuga” was written and produced by Del B in collaboration with Nigerian artists Flavour, Sound Sultan, Chidinma, Kcee and South African kwaito star Professor. The music video for “Sweet Like Shuga” was directed by Clarence Peters and will be released in a few weeks.

Shuga will kick off with a double-episode on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) on Sunday 1 December 2013 (World AIDS Day) 9PM; double episodes will air every following Sunday.  Shuga will subsequently air on MTV (DStv channel 130) and multiple TV and digital platforms around the world.