Afrobeats Crossover: Lessons for Nollywood in ‘Christmas in Miami’
The global traction of the Nigerian music industry is something its film counterpart can emulate with the right collaboration projects.
In just two weeks, renowned filmmaker, Ayo ‘Ay’ Makun reportedly raked in N205.8 million with his Christmas in Miami movie, making it the most successful in the Akpos film series. Right now, it is the 6th highest-grossing Nigerian film of all time.
But what’s catchy about Christmas in Miami considering that Christmas is long gone, and how does it fit into the AfroDives scope?
The storyline of Christmas in Miami is one that certainly has a lot in common with Afrobeats. In the film, we see families come together from five continents – China, India, Brazil United States of America, United Kingdom and Nigeria – to participate in what looks like a Big Brother Naija-esque fiesta. The film is one that appeals to more than just one set of audience.
Even though the Brits may not like how they have been portrayed in the film, people from the countries represented on the show will surely have one or two reasons to see the movie. It is perhaps why the film is the most successful despite coming at a time some of us feel Ayo Makun’s films were becoming monotonous.
More so, the timing of the film’s attempt at global inclusion couldn’t have been better. This is a time Afrobeats has got the whole world listening with rapt attention. Wiz and Burna have got Grammys in their trophy cabinets and are looking forward to more, Fireboy has set fire on the UK music charts with his Ed Sheeran-assisted single while many more not only have deals with international record labels but they also have the traction that even foreign artistes envy.
We already agreed that 2021 was the crossover year that cemented the efforts of the previous years and some credit should go to those strategic collaborations.
Nollywood is the second most prolific film industry in the world with a reported average of 2,500 films a year (surpassing Hollywood and only behind India’s Bollywood). I doubt if our industry needs introduction anywhere in the world, given the growing number of Netflix-signed Nigerian producers, not to mention the brilliance that permeates the entire space.
Like Justin Bieber, Ed Sheeran, Drake, Beyoncé and countless others who have given Afrobeats the crossover effect, imagine Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Tom Cruise, Vin Diesel, Priyanka Chopra, Lee Min-Ho or Park Seo Joon on a Nollywood project… Just imagine…
While having such ‘crossover’ projects may not be as easy as putting this newsletter together, Nollywood surely has the brains and other resources to make it happen. Then, this age of Netflix feels perfect for such grand ideas.
Music and movies belong in the same entertainment family. One should not look like a bastard beside the other.