Musicians crossing into acting is nothing new. But every once in a while, a musician steps onto a movie set and leaves an impression on us.
In this piece, we highlight artists who have stepped into character so convincingly that we almost forgot they primarily make music. From crime dramas and romances to political thrillers, here’s a list of Nigerian musicians who stepped into Nollywood and ate their roles.
10. in (2024)
is Ajani, the charming struggling guitarist and delivery boy who sweeps the fancy, London-returnee Ivie (Rayxia Ojo) off her feet during the Detty December madness. He’s quiet and has a charisma that suits the movie’s romantic tone.
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9. in (2023)
is Ify, one of the three childhood friends at the centre of the story. Unlike the hardened gangsters around him, he dreams of becoming a musician and escaping the cycle of violence and gang life of Isale Eko. His tragic death single-handedly sets off the movie’s bloody revenge plot. His character is instantly likeable, and his performance adds heart to a story filled with brutality and tragedy.
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8. in (2019)
had a brief but memorable appearance as Simi, a young, observant daughter of a local Buka owner in a noisy mechanic village, serving as a supporting character. Simi plays a version of the relatable girl-next-door we already love her for.
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7. in (2013)
delivered a powerful performance as Mama, Odenigbo’s (Chiwetalu Ejiofor) traditional and fiercely protective mother who makes life frustrating for her son’s highly educated partner, Olanna (Thandiwe Newton). She embodied the tensions between culture, class and modernity that run through the movie. It’s a short role, but her performance is unforgettable.
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6. in (2019)
delivered one of the movie’s strongest supporting performances as Chuks, a pimp and trafficker network operative. He’s a man deeply involved in the exploitation at the centre of the story. He balances charm and menace in a way that reflects how trafficking networks often operate behind a façade of normalcy. In this movie, he’s what a top-tier villain should be.
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5. in (2021)
Niyola (Eniola Akinbo) plays Tolani, a naive but principled bank secretary in the 1980s, dealing with a toxic boss, poverty and temptation to swallow drugs for cash to survive. It’s her acting and lead role debut, but she did the damn thing.
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4. in (2022)
is Wale, a police officer forced into a deadly cat-and-mouse chase against a notorious armed robbery gang that just so happens to be led by his brother, Akin (Tobi Bakre). He delivered arguably his best performance as an actor in this role.
3. in (2016)
is Dozie in this movie. His performance works because he’s believable: charming and romantic without becoming exaggerated – all the qualities we have seen in his natural “Mr. Capable” R&B flair. He gives us the premium lover-boy presence the movie needs.
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2. in (2018)
is Makanaki, the ruthless, power-hungry underworld boss who wants to hijack the crown from Eniola Salami (Sola Sobowale) by force. He plays a terrifying bad guy that we couldn’t take our eyes off. For a debut acting gig, his menacing screen presence and flawless delivery of street-smart Yoruba dialogue are mind-blowing.
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1. in (2023)
In this movie, is Lamidi, a chaotic, party-loving teenager whose impulsive decision to throw a house party leads to a dark, life-altering mess during a long university strike. He is a frustrated Nigerian youth trying to find quick thrills in a depressing system. His performance is gritty and relatable, and it shows how fast a simple “cruise” can turn into a huge real-life disaster.
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