Artistes-turned actors: 10 singers impressing in Nollywood

While music stardom doesn't guarantee automatic acting roles, these artistes have set the pace when it comes to combining acting and singing.

Mustapha Abdulazeez

Victoria Oloyede

, and

Kola Muhammed

Apr 22, 2023

If you missed our previous issue in which we reviewed Jade Osiberu’s Gangs of Lagos, you can catch up here. Meanwhile for this issue, as a follow-up, we spotlight artistes who have equally dazzled on stage as if they were handling a mic in the studio.

AfroDives presents 10 artistes who are killing it in the movie industry. Numerous musicians have become thespians but these people make our list. Shall we?

Remilekun 'Reminisce' Safaru

Before 2018, everyone knew Reminisce as a rapper, a title he continues to wear with pride. When it seemed as if he was slowing down on the music scene, Reminisce launched a surprise by playing a starring role in Kemi Adetiba's King of Boys (2018).

Artiste-turned actor, Reminisce — Reminisce

The acting side of Alaga Ibile has been a joy to watch and his Makanaki role has become a yardstick for judging the performance of a street king in Nollywood.

Bankole 'Banky W' Wellington

There are different sides to Banky W that his fans have come to know and love - Banky W the singer, the rapper, the politician and the actor.

Banky W starring in Tope Oshin’s *Up North*

Even though music has now become a pastime for the National Assembly aspirant, Banky W has achieved a lot of success after his debut in The Wedding Party and its sequel. Since then, he has played critically appraised roles in films such as Up North (2018) and Sugar Rush (2019).

Folarin 'Falz' Falana

After studying Law in the UK, many expected that Falz would follow in the footsteps of his father the popular human rights activist and lawyer. However, the bar Falz had in mind was rap and it didn’t take long before he showed that his talent transcended music.

The Ello bae crooner delved into acting by starting with Funke Akindele's hit series, Jenifa, and his role earned him an AMVCA! In his words, "How many musicians do you know is having AMVCA [sic]?"

The Bahd guy has since featured in numerous Nollywood blockbusters, the most recent being Brotherhood (2022).

Wasiu ‘Pasuma’ Alabi

What’s more to be said about Pasuma’s deftness at singing and acting? He is a legendary Fuji singer who defined what it means to be a street icon, having fans club all over the country and beyond.

With scores of albums to his credit, Pasuma wasn’t contented with being a Fuji superstar and proceeded to make his mark in Nollywood. He has numerous appearances to his credit and the feather in his cap comes with Jade Osiberu's Gang of Lagos where he acted as Tajudeen Londoner.

Charles 'Charly Boy' Okputa

Few artists can simultaneously command drama and controversy like Charly Boy has in a music career that has spanned four decades.

The Area Father ruled the 90s with his music and made his Nollywood debut with Kemi Adetiba's King of Boys: The Return of the King as Odudubariba.

Tobechukwu 'illBliss' Ejiofor

illBliss is a celebrated Nigerian rapper who made his acting bow as Odogwu Malay in King of Boys, the same movie that debuted Reminisce.

His Igbo accent pronunciation of; A ma pade ninu ina (we shall meet in hell) before shooting an opponent dead was one of the movie's best parts.

Simisola Kosoko

From gospel music to secular songs, music engineering and acting, Simi can lay claim to having done it all when it comes to entertainment.

Artiste-turned actor, Simisola — Singer and actor, Simisola

She starred in Kunle Afolayan's Mokalik (2019) and the movie was nominated for Best Film during the 2019 Durban International Film Festival. You can catch the review of her most recent album here.

Chike

Chike Osebuka started seeking music prominence by participating in reality talent shows. He was still finding his feet in the music industry when he made his acting debut in Battleground series.

His 2020 album, Boo of the Booless, would go on to cement his music stardom and make him a household name. His role as Ify in Jade Osiberu's Gangs of Lagos was a timely reminder of his all-round talent. Sleek in the studio, sizzling on stage.

Peter Okoye

One-half of the defunct, now ‘re-funct’ P-Square, Peter Okoye, has divided opinions with his acting skills but to hold down roles in the critically acclaimed Lionheart movie by Genevieve and later in Shanty Town merits a mention.

The superstar singer will definitely appear in more movies and continue to show why he’s highly rated by movie directors.

Tiwa Savage

Widely acclaimed Queen of Afrobeats, Tiwatope Savage has carried her swagger from the studio to the stage by stunning viewers with her performance in MTV's Shuga and Funke Akindele 's 28-season Jenifa's Diary.