10 Popular Nigerian Musicians who Became Actors

The Nigerian entertainment industry majorly comprises movies and music and it comes as no surprise that players in the industry make a switch at any time.

Over the years, Nollywood has witnessed guest appearances by Popular Nigerian musicians in its major productions, to the pleasure of fans. However, there are some artists who have moved from being guests in the industry to establishing a brand for themselves.

Some of them have become producers/directors/screenwriters and have even gone as deep as establishing their own movie production companies.

While RNN will bring you a list of Actors who ventured into music later, this article focuses on Nigerian musicians who became actors in the course of their careers.

10. Tiwa Savage

42-year-old musician, Tiwa Savage shocked Nigerians with her acting prowess on MTV’s Shuga in 2013 when she made her debut appearance as an actor. The singer was later featured in Funke Akindele’s popular sitcom, “Jenifa’s Diary” in 2016.

Unlike some artists who make one-time appearances in movies, Tiwa’s role in Shuga demanded more than just a scene. Playing Sade, she was a club owner in the series.

Tiwa is known for hit songs like “All Over” and “Somebody’s Son” in which she featured American artist, Brandy.

9. Simi

Simi is another musician who took up an acting role. Although she is known for just one movie, the mother-of-one was praised by many for her great interpretation of the role.

Simi’s first and only movie so far is Kunle Afolayan’s 2019 film, “Mokalik”. Playing the role of Simi, she was one of the major characters in the film where she acted alongside Nollywod veterans like Fathia Balogun and Femi Adebayo.

Mokalik is now on Netflix.

8. Seyi Shay

Seyi Shay did not only act in a movie, she played the lead role in the 2018 film, Lara and the Beat. The talented singer was equally lauded by fans for her skills.

While some are surprised at her prowess, some maintain that Seyi has always been a good actor as her music videos speak volumes about her talent.

7. Reminisce

At this point, the list gets even more interesting. Nigerian rapper, Reminisce starred in Kemi Adetiba’s Netflix blockbuster, King of Boys to the delight of most viewers.

Although he played the role of a villain in the film and its sequel, the musician was still loved and appreciated. Reminisce remains one of the musicians that shocked Nigerians with his prowess despite being a first-timer in the game. He just had to make the list of renowned Nigerian musicians who became actors.

6. Yemi Alade

Yemi Alade, nicknamed “Mama Africa”, is one musician whose role in a movie is one we cannot get enough of. Yemi made her debut appearance as an actor in Funke Akindele’s high-grossing film, Omo Ghetto the Saga. 

She played the role of a gang leader and drug dealer and she definitely brought her stage fierceness to the set. While we wait to see if Yemi will bless our screens with more movie appearances, we still can’t get enough of Omo Ghetto the Saga. 

5. Omawunmi

If the statement “My name is Omawunmi” rings a bell, you’ll love to know that your fav is equally an actor. As a matter of fact, the Nigerian singer recently launched her media company alongside her best friend and fellow musician, Waje. 

The company is into creative digital marketing, movie production, and content curation. It was responsible for the production of her most recent movie “She is”, where she starred alongside her co-founder.

The movie, “She is” is not Omawunmi’s first film appearance. She is known to have played several roles in movies like House of Gold, Oloture, and Night Bus to Lagos. 

4. Waje

Waje is the co-founder and Executive director of Hermanes Media, the company responsible for the production of the movie “She is”. Waje made her first appearance in the movie industry in 2014 when she starred in Stanlee Ohikhuare’s movie, Tunnel.

Later the next year, she featured in one of Nollywood’s blockbusters of 2015, Fifty. So far, Waje has starred in 4 movies alongside actors like Nse-Nkpe Etim, Ireti Doyle, Dakore Akande, Beverly Osu, and Damilola Adegbite.

Top 3 Nigerian Musicians Who Became Actors

This section highlights the top 3 from the top 10 list of popular Nigerian musicians who became actors. You may be shocked to see who the second person is. Brace up!

3. Banky W

Banky W is many things in one and “actor” is one of them. Starring in Funke Akindele’s “The Return of Jenifa”, the Blessing Me crooner made his acting debut in 2011.

Later in 2016, he was featured in Kemi Adetiba’s smash hit, The Wedding Party, and its sequel The Wedding Party 2 in 2017. He however bagged a lead role in Tope Oshin’s Up North later in 2018. Another movie where the singer is featured is “Sugar Rush”.

2. Bisola

Bbnaija star, Bisola Aiyelola is fondly called a low-key comedian because of her hilarious nature in movies and in person. Seeing her name on this list may come as a shock because she is popularly known to be a Nollywood star. However, Bisola started out as a musician way before she came on the Bbnaija reality show.

The singer-cum-actor was a contestant on MTN Project Fame in 2008 where she came 5th and Nigerian musician, Iyanya won. Watch Bisola’s performance on Project Fame below:

Bisola has starred in several movies and has taken acting as a major profession. However, she still has a music career and has released songs like Boda Luku, Good Old Days, Heartbroken, and Luchia. 

1. Falz

And here we have our topmost singer-cum-actor- Falz! Folarin Falana, popularly known by his stage name, Falz is one of the most influential musicians in Nigeria at the moment.

The Law graduate has established himself as a notable brand in Nigeria’s entertainment sector, wearing the badge of a musician and actor, playing both roles amazingly well.

The award-winning rapper has equally been awarded as an actor including “Best Supporting Actor” for his role as “Quam” in Tope Oshin’s movie “New Money”. This feat earned him a title as the first Nigeran musician to win the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards twice.

In 2020, the actor launched his film production company, House21TV, a company that has produced a couple of movies and series.

Nigerian Musicians in Nollywood

The list of Nigerian musicians in Nollywood is endless. There are still more musicians who didn’t make it to the list. Two of them are Ice Prince and Aye crooner, Davido, who featured in the 2021 international film, Coming 2 America. 

As the Nigerian entertainment sector expands, there will be more artist-feature in Nollywood films and we anticipate new faces.

In another post, RNN will highlight Nigerian actors who have equally taken up a career in music. Keep your fingers crossed!