Shuga (TV series)
Shuga, also known as MTV Shuga, is a drama television series 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 and the Government of Kenya, as part of a multimedia campaign to spread the message about responsible sexual behaviour and tolerance. 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. 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. 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.
In 2013, production of the series was moved to Nigeria, where the third and subsequent seasons are set. Dubbed "Shuga Naija", the new version is a multimedia campaign which educates youths on HIV/AIDS, safe sex and teen pregnancy.
Shuga also touches on maternal and child health, family planning, gender-based violence, and women empowerment. It was produced in partnership with Nigeria's National Agency for the Control of AIDS. Season 5 of the series was unveiled in partnership with Unitaid, the Global Innovation Fund, and Paramount. Season 3 of the series was broadcast via 88 television stations across the world, with estimated household viewers of over 550 million.
Plot
Season 1 (2009)
Season one comprised three episodes that followed the lives and love of a group of young students whose bright lives and fabulous future were balanced on a knife edge due to their love of risk and danger. This season told the story of a modern girl Ayira who knew what she wanted and how to get it. She developed passion with an older man at the expense of a longtime lover Ty. This season also highlighted the life of other two lovers Virginia and Leo who had various obstacles in their relationships but they were determined to make it work. This season also featured cameo appearances from Madtraxx, P-Unit, Nonini, Nameless, Juliani, Jimmy Gait and Dj Adrian.Season 2 (2011)
Principal photography for the series took place in Kenya in August – September 2011. The title song for “Shuga: Love, Sex, Money” debuted on MTV Base on Saint Valentine's Day in 2012. Other artists that featured in the soundtrack included Camp Mulla, Flavour, P-Square, Wyre, Madtraxx, J Martins, and Stella Mwangi. Season two premiered on 10 February 2012 at the Kenya National Museums. This season comprised six episodes which were followed by a one-hour synopsis episode. It was aired in Africa weekly on MTV Base from Tuesday 14 February 2012 at 21:30 CAT and on other terrestrial broadcasters. The storylines in this season are rape, transactional sex and homosexuality plus a bunch of other issues to be explored included HIV testing, stigma, condom use, gender inequity and the role of multiple partnerships in driving the HIV epidemic. This season also planned some gay scenes that were meant to tackle the HIV/AIDs spread among the gay people. According to Georgia Arnold the executive producer of the drama series, the actual plan had to be pulled back to avoid controversy since it was a delicate matter in Kenya.Season 3 (2013)
The third season of the series, dubbed Shuga Naija, was shot and set in Nigeria, produced in partnership with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS. It is directed by Biyi Bandele and stars Tiwa Savage, Chris Attoh, Maria Okanrende, Emmanuel Ikubese, Sharon Ezeamaka, Efa Iwara, Olumide Oworu, Dorcas Shola Fapson, Rahama Sadau, Okezie Morro, Timini Egbuson, Kachi Nnochiri, Sanni Mu'azu and Leonora Okine. Shuga Naija tells the story of several Lagos youths and how they deal with love, sex and relationships.It was announced in June 2013 that new seasons of Shuga would be produced in Nigeria At the unveiling event, it was stated that the new series will have a whole new look; with predominantly Nigerian cast and crew. Speaking on the transition, Alex Okosi, the Managing Director of Viacom International Media Networks Africa says producing the project in Nigeria will help the realization of the series due to Nigeria's flourishing entertainment industry. According to Business Day; "When it is a Nollywood production, it tends to get more recognition and embrace for people, both locally and internationally". Principal photography commenced in August, mainly in Lagos.
The third season of Shuga premiered on 26 November 2013 at the Silverbird Cinema, Victoria Island, Lagos, and was generally positively received by the audience.