The exciting meeting of music and film powers Nigeria’s entertainment industry. Melodies and stage presence which draws in Afrobeats stars occasionally lead them into the universe of Nollywood. This mix of abilities gives audiences uncommon experiences with their preferred musicians, who show up on the big screen. In this article, Naijassador has assembled a list recounting the narratives of 6 Nigerian artists who have shown themselves about acting.
1. Falz (The Bahd Guy)
This multi-hyphenate talent is an undeniable force in Nigerian media. Falz, in addition to his catchy rap verses and comedic timing, is a talented actor. His breakout role was in the hit TV series Jenifa’s Diary and has since appeared in blockbuster films such as Chief Daddy, Merry Men, and Brotherhood, demonstrating his acting range from slapstick comedy to dramatic slasher film.
2. Davido (OBO)
Nigeria’s Afrobeats king made his Hollywood debut alongside Eddie Murphy in the sequel to Coming to America, the classic Eddie Murphy film. Although the role was not extensive, his cameo performing “Assurance” appears before the film’s end credits, allowing the vast Afrobeats audience to see its influence on the global stage.
3. King Sunny Ade (Juju Maestro)
While he is a music heavyweight in Nigeria, King Sunny Ade, the Juju king, attracted media attention with his music and went a notch higher when he appeared in some Hollywood films, playing the lead role in the neo-noir “Breathless” 1983 and made a cameo in “O.C. and Stiggs” 1987 With his role in these two films, King Sunny Ade played a crucial role in bringing Nigerian and American cinema together.
4. Tiwa Savage
Afrobeats queen Tiwa Savage topped the charts and set her sights on the silver screen. She has mostly maintained her focus on music, but she has dabbled in Nollywood, appearing in her latest movie, Water and Garri, which she produced. And, incredibly, she has said her first love has been acting. While music takes up most of the stage, her acting strides lay bare her inner drive to redeem the multi-faceted entertainer, using both vibrant voice and physical presence.
5. Reminisce
The Nigerian rapper is honoured for flexing his acting muscles — and not just dropping bars! Reminisce made his acting debut in Nollywood in the 2018 Crime Thriller “King of Boys,” and against some of the industry’s golden Boys, the rapper held his weight. The effort is not over; when asked during the Nollywood’s Future Panel how many more major roles he has in his corner, Reminisce responded without delay, with a sprinkle of a chuckle – “Ah, too much.” In addition to the future, the rapper disclosed that a film about his life was in the pipeline, with him playable himself.
6. Banky W (The Mr. Capable)
This singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur is another example of a successful crossover artist. He began his music career and later on moved to acting and has starred in popular Nigerian films like “The Wedding Party” 1 & 2 and Sugar Rush. His good looks and charisma as well as his career flexibility have enabled him to juggle music and a successful acting career.
In conclusion
There are many other musicians around the world, and in Nigeria, such as Davido and Falz the Bahd Guy that have diversified into the film industry. All the mentioned artists have been able to take both industries by storm due to their cross-over capabilities. Although it may take a while before many artists explore new opportunities, the artists mentioned in this report have been able to set the trend. Adult views have embraced and accepted them, and it will be easier for other artists to launch successful acting careers. Nollywood, a country known for the high quality of its film, has been invaded by musicians-turned-talented actors. Little more can be excited about seeing musicians continue to impress more as they explore their acting talents.
Written by Sarah Aboje
