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Shuga (TV series)

Shuga
Title screen
Also known asMTV Shuga: Naija
MTV Shuga: Down South
GenreDrama series
Based onHIV/AIDS
Teenage Life
Safety
Written byAmanda Lane (head writer) (seasons 1–2)
Kemi Adesoye (head writer) (season 3; season 8)
Tunde Aladese, Nkiru Njoku
Directed byTeboho Mahlatsi (season 1–2)
Angus Gibson, John Trengrove (Season 2)
Biyi Bandele (season 3)
Tope Oshin, Tolulope Ajayi, Ishaya Bako (season 6)
Tope Oshin, Daniel Ademinokan, Tolulope Ajayi (season 8)
Creative directorsTim Horwood (season 1–2)
Tope Oshin, Jane Arnell (seasons 3–4)
Tope Oshin (season 8)
StarringLupita Nyong'o
Tiwa Savage
Ikubese Emmanuel
Okezie Morro
Maria Okanrende
Dorcas Shola Fapson
Sharon Olago
Antony Mwangi
Edward Nyanaro
Nick Mutuma
Avril Nyambura
Nancy Karanja
Samke Makhoba
Richard Mofe Damijo
Ruby Akubueze
Osas Ighodaro
Adebukola Oladipupo
Timini Egbuson
Funlola Aofiyebi Moses Akerele
Thuso Mbedu
Kiki Omeili
Theme music composerDavid Campos, Philip Miller (seasons 1–2)
Warrick Sony (season 1)
Nic Patton, Hibou Music (season 2)
Ben Onono, Rhys Adams (season 3)
ComposerDaniel Ademinokan (Season 8)
Country of originKenya (seasons 1–2)
Nigeria (seasons 3–4, 6, 8)
South Africa (seasons 5, 7)
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons8
No. of episodes57
Production
Executive producersGeorgia Arnold (seasons 1–8)
Cathy N. Phiri & Chris Torline (seasons 1–2)
Sara Piot, Richard Warburton (season 3)
ProducersDesiree Markgraaff (seasons 1–2)
Jonathan Curling (season 3)
Chris Ihidero (seasons 4, 6)
Tope Oshin, Bose Oshin (season 8)
CinematographyZeno Petersen (season 1–2)
Hein de Vos (season 3)
Yinka Edward (seasons 6, 8)
EditorsCarl Morgan (season 1)
Jeremy Briers (season 2)
Matthew Bate (season 3)
Camera setupAdekunle Nodash Adejuyigbe (seasons 3, 8)
Daniel Ademinokan (season 8)
Running time~30 minutes
Production companiesThe Bomb Shelter (seasons 1–2)
MTV Staying Alive Foundation Production (season 3)
SmatMedia (season 6)
Sunbow Productions (season 8)
Original release
NetworkMTV
YouTube
ReleaseNovember 2009 (2009-11) –
present
Infobox instructions (only shown in preview)

Shuga, also known as MTV Shuga, is a television drama that first aired in November 2009 on MTV Base as part of an initiative dubbed "MTV Staying Alive Ignite!". Its first two seasons were commissioned by MTV Networks Africa in association with The MTV Staying Alive Foundation, PEPFAR, the Partnership for an HIV-Free Generation (HFG) and the Government of Kenya, as part of a multimedia campaign to spread the message about responsible sexual behaviour and tolerance.[1] The term Shuga is derived from the pronunciation of "Sugar" in Kenyan English.

The series later became a hit and was aired in 40 different African countries before it was aired internationally in over 70 television stations.[2] The drama was thought to be a very controversial series by the senior generation of Kenyans because it contained some scenes that contained sexually explicit content.[3] It received a Gold award in May 2010 at the World Media Festival in Hamburg, Germany in the Public Relations Health category for its focus on love, emotions, and sexual behavior amongst Kenyan youth.[4]

In 2013, production of the series was moved to Nigeria, where the third and subsequent seasons are set. Dubbed "Shuga Naija",[5] the new version is a multimedia campaign which educates youths on HIV/AIDS, safe sex and teen pregnancy.[6]

Shuga also touches on maternal and child health, family planning, gender-based violence, and women empowerment.[7][8] It was produced in partnership with Nigeria's "National Agency for the Control of AIDS" (NACA).[9][10] Season 5 of the series was unveiled in partnership with Unitaid, the Global Innovation Fund, and Paramount.[11][12] Season 3 of the series was broadcast via 88 television stations across the world, with estimated household viewers of over 550 million.[13]

  1. ^ "Shuga Babi soap opera targets stigmas surrounding HIV in Africa". Financial Times. 29 November 2019.
  2. ^ "Staying-Alive". Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  3. ^ "Season 2 contains 6 Epsisodes". Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  4. ^ "HALL OF FAME - WINNERS 2010". Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  5. ^ Milah, Ojay (28 June 2013). "MTV TV Show Shifts to Nigeria from Kenya". Daily Times. Daily Times Nigeria. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  6. ^ Ochugbua, Mary (5 July 2013). "MTV Shuga launches in Nigeria". BusinessDay. Business Day Online. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  7. ^ "'SHUGA' SEASON 3 LAUNCHED: Shifts to Nigeria,with only one Kenyan actor". Hinamundi Reviews. 5 August 2013. Archived from the original on 21 December 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  8. ^ "Shuga Ends With A Pow Wow! Catch Episode 8 of MTV Shuga – 'Kasala'". Bella Naija. bellanaija.com. 20 January 2014. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
  9. ^ "TV series & multimedia campaign to educate Nigerian youth on HIV, safe sex & teen pregnancy". MTV. MTV Base. 24 June 2013. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference thisday was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Obinna, Emelike (2022-11-18). "MTV Shuga Naija returns for fifth season". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  12. ^ Emmanuel, Solution (2023-05-08). "MTV Shuga Naija Season 5 premieres in Lagos (PHOTOS)". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
  13. ^ "Kenyan Actors for Shuga Season 4?". allafrica.com. 6 December 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2014.

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