Tunde Cutz: From Humble Beginnings to Stardom

Motunde Yahya, better known as Tunde Cutz, is a highly sought-after video editor in the Nigerian music industry. His portfolio boasts popular music videos, including Olamide’s ‘Metaverse’ and Rema’s ‘Charm.’ In this chat with Vanessa Obioha, he shares his journey to prominence and his ambitions beyond video editing.

Twelve years ago, Yahya was just a young boy learning the basics of video editing in Abeokuta under his uncle’s guidance. His uncle worked at OGTV, Abeokuta, and Yahya helped him edit TV shows and documentaries. What started as a means of survival soon revealed itself as a hidden talent when a professional video editor visited his uncle’s studio. Sparked by curiosity, Yahya watched in awe as the editor performed what seemed like magic with advanced software far superior to what his uncle used. The more he observed, the more he learned, and before long, he realized he could excel in the craft.

Even after the editor stopped coming to the studio, Yahya’s determination grew. He turned to YouTube to refine his skills and dedicated his Saturdays to learning from other video editing experts. His self-driven passion soon paid off, and he decided to move to Lagos, eager to advance his skills and make his mark in the industry.

“I used to admire the works of one of my friends, Muyiwa Oyedele, popularly known as Mr Movies. He used RED cameras then and I was only used to Canon and others. I wanted to be like him, be able to handle such cameras and staying in Abeokuta was limiting me,” he said.

Moving to Lagos, however, was not without challenges. He knew no one in the city and had no immediate means of survival. When he asked his uncle for a laptop to help him get started, his request was declined. Even finding a place to stay proved difficult. Yahya was briefly hopeful when he secured a job offer from Linda Ikeji TV, expecting that he could find a place to stay, perhaps with the security guard. But he was turned down before he could start due to his location.

“They needed someone who stayed on the island; meanwhile, I was not even living in Lagos at the time.”

Eventually, a friend helped him find a place to squat with a sister who was a fashion designer. Though the space was uncomfortable, Yahya remained undeterred. Gradually, he began to connect with people in the industry, taking on small jobs to build a name for himself. With the help of Oyedele, Yahya started finding his feet, sometimes working as a camera assistant on set.

His first big break came when he was introduced to UAX, a prominent music video director. Together, they worked on a music video for Nonso Amadi, which quickly gained attention.

“I posted it and people liked it. We did another with M.I. and Amadi, and people loved it too. From there, people started giving me jobs.”

Today, Yahya, now Tunde Cutz, is one of the most sought-after video editors in the Nigerian music industry, working with stars like Olamide, Rema, and Davido. His credits include Olamide’s ‘Metaverse,’ Rema’s ‘Charm,’ and Davido’s ‘Na Money’ featuring The Cavemen and Angelique Kidjo. He also runs MTY Studios, where he continues to bring his creative vision to life. Beyond his own success, Yahya has inspired and trained a new generation of editors, collaborating with international talents from London, South Africa, and beyond.

Yahya’s storytelling abilities, honed during his formative years in Abeokuta, are what set him apart in the industry. His seamless transitions, innovative cuts, and unique narrative style are revered by many in the industry.

Influenced by filmmaking legends like Tunde Kelani and Kunle Afolayan, Yahya has always harboured a passion for directing movies.

“I used to watch a lot of their films and I knew I wanted to be like them,” he recalled.

In 2019, he briefly ventured into movie directing but chose to focus on music video editing to solidify his reputation and secure the financial stability needed to pursue his film ambitions. He hinted at the possibility of releasing his first film later this year, signalling another exciting chapter in his creative journey.