From chart-topping hits to big-screen moments, Nigerian musicians sometimes extend their talents to film.
Following the release of Jade Osiberu’s holiday rom com Christmas in Lagos (featuring rapper Ladipoe in a major role alongside other musician cameos), we’ve compiled a list of 14 music stars who have crossed into Nollywood:
- Falz
After making Soft Work of his breakout role in Funke Akindele’s Jenifa’s Diary (2015)—a performance he is reprising in the Everybody Loves Jenifa—Afrobeats musician Folarin “Falz” Falana earned his first Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award (AMVCA). In 2018, The “Who Go Pay” singer bagged his second AMVCA with New Money (2018) and became the first Nigerian musician to achieve such a feat. Some of his other acting credits also include blockbusters like Merry Men 1 & 2, Chief Daddy 1 & 2, and Brotherhood (2022).
- Tiwa Savage
.In 2011, Tiwa Savage took to the stage, joining Wole Oguntokun’s Nigerian adaptation of Ntozake Shange’s For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf. The Queen of Afrobeats then went on to prove her on-screen Stamina with the role of Sade Banjo—Olumide Oworu’s aunty—in MTV Shuga Season 3. She took on her first lead role in Meji Alabi’s Water and Garri (2024), a project she was deeply involved in.
- Ikechukwu
Rapper and singer Ikechukwu Onunaku, aka Killz, made his film debut in Walter Taylaur’s The Wages (2013). Since then, he has appeared in notable Nollywood projects like Gidi Up (2014), The Wedding Party (2016), The Wedding Party 2: Destination Dubai (2017), Little Black Book, The Black Book (2023), and Oloture: The Journey (2024). He was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the 2024 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) for his performance in Kenneth Gyang’s This is Lagos (2023), proving that for him acting is pretty much a Breeze.
- Reminisce
Reminisce “Alaga Ibile” (Remilekun Khalid Safaru) brought the character of Makanaki to life in Kemi Adetiba’s widely-acclaimed King of Boys (2018). He received an Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) nomination for embodying the dangerous gang leader and reclaimed his role in the sequel, King of Boys: The Return of the King (2021).
The Hustle rapper returned to the big screen with Uche Chukwu’s Wrong Number (2024).
- Banky W
Although he made his film debut in Funke Akindele’s The Return of Jenifa (2011), multihyphenate performer Olubankole “Banky W” Wellington started a Strong Ting in Nollywood as soon as he married his real-life love interest—Adesua Etomi-Wellington (The Set Up)—in Kemi Adetiba’s iconic The Wedding Party (2016). The two were loved up again in the sequel, The Wedding Party 2: Destination Dubai (2017). They shared the big screen in Up North (2018) and yet again in Kayode Kasum’s Sugar Rush (2019).
- Simi
In Kunle Afolayan’s Mokalik (2019), renowned songstress Simi (Simisola Bolatito Kosoko, née Ogunleye) portrayed the daughter of a Buka canteen owner who made all the boys’ hearts go Duduke. Interestingly, she kept her real name for the role.
The critically acclaimed film was showcased at international festivals, including the 2019 Durban International Film Festival, where it earned a nomination for Best Film. It was acquired by Netflix and added to the Made in Africa collection.
- Wasiu Alabi Pasuma
Legendary musician Alhaji Wasiu Alabi Pasuma isn’t just the “Oganla” or “Ijoba Fuji,” he is also an actor who has gained Recognition for his early roles in the Yoruba Nollywood films such as Odun Baku (2006), Iyanje (2013), Flakky Ijaya (2017), and Ogo Mushin (2021). He would later be seen in mainstream titles like The Ghost and the Tout Too (2021), A Naija Christmas (2021), and Gangs of Lagos (2023).
- Omawumi
Even in the world of film, musical powerhouse Omawumi Megbele likes to get In the Music. The 2007 Idols West Africa finalist made her acting debut in Jeta Amata’s musical drama Inale (2010). Her other projects include Funke Akindele’s The Return of Jenifa (2011), House of Gold (2013), Make a Move (2014), Into the Music (2014), Oloture (2019), Brotherhood (2022), and Palava! (2022).
- Chike
Singer and songwriter Chike Ezekpeazu Osebuka made his acting debut as Mayowa Badmus in Africa Magic’s Battleground (2017). The Mma (Beauty) crooner went on to star in Ola Selhurst’s Clandestine (2019) and the YouTube series Life as It Is (2019), three years after finishing as the runner-up of The Voice Nigeria 2016 and releasing his first single, Fancy U. In 2022, the MTN Project Fame alum delivered the role of street-raised musician Ify/Pana in Jade Osiberu’s award-winning Gangs of Lagos, serving Boo of the Booless with a brand new style.
- Vector
Award-winning rapper and singer-songwriter Olanrewaju “Vector” Ogunmefun stepped away from The Rap Dialogue in 2018 to embark on A Journey to Self Discovery with the role of Adewale in Desmond Elliot’s June (2018). That same year, he played another leading man, Sal “Mr. Beats” Gomez, in Tosin Coker’s Lara and the Beat.
- Seyi Shay
What happens when a rich girl suddenly loses everything overnight? Acclaimed singer-songwriter Seyi Shay played the titular role in Lara and the Beat (2018), a story of love, music, and the true meaning of wealth, starring alongside Olanrewaju “Vector” Ogunmefun, Somkele Iyamah, Chioma Akpotha, Wale Ojo, and Shaffy Bello. The Right Now singer is yet to return to Nollywood.
- Phyno
Back in 2018, iconic Igbo rapper and PentHauze Music CEO Phyno (Chibuzo Nelson Azubuike Ezege) made a surprise appearance in Genevieve Nnaji’s groundbreaking Lionheart (2018), the first Nigerian Netflix original film and the country’s first submission to the Oscars.
The three-time Headies Award winner portrayed Obiora Obiagu, an aspiring musician and younger brother of Adaeze, Nnaji’s character. Since then, he has not acted in any other films—guess he has no plans to make acting his Full Time Job!
- Chidinma
Award-winning singer Chidinma Ekile’s first film was Kunle Afolayan’s The Bridge (2017) with Ademola Adedoyin, Zack Orji, Tina Mba, and others. In 2022, the MTN Project Fame winner featured in Domben Chisom’s The Unknown.
- Ladipoe
Thanks to Providence—and Jade Osiberu (Gangs of Lagos)—Mavin Records wordsmith Ladipo “Ladipoe” Eso, aka Leader of the New Revival, graces the big screen in the holiday ensemble rom-com Christmas in Lagos, starring Teniola Aladese, Rayxia Ojo, Shaffy Bello, Wale Ojo and Richard Mofe-Damijo, with cameos from Ayra Starr, Wurld, and other Afrobeats stars. As glimpsed in the trailer, viewers can look forward to charming takes on the Law of Attraction in the spirit of Detty December.
Share your thoughts in the comments section or on our social media accounts.
Keep track of upcoming films and TV shows on your Google calendar.
