It is usually not a big surprise when movie stars attempt to make the transition from acting to music.Some do it purely out of their love for music,while for some it is a means of creating another stream of revenue.It is worthy of note that most of the songs released by these movie stars were not exactly hit songs, nevertheless ,some of their fans enjoyed and appreciated the songs, simply because it was released by their favourite stars. LEADERSHIP Sunday puts the spotlight on 8 Nollywood Stars who tried their hands at music.
- Jim Iyke
Actor Jim Iyke,who many refer to as the “bad boy” of Nollywood, released some rap songs in 2009.
According to him, he knew the songs were bad but he ventured into the music industry to have an idea of how things work in the sector after dominating the movie scenes.In an interview with Punch he said, “I was interested in music and like everything else that I have foresight for, I saw where the career was going. I knew I did not know how to sing but I wanted to invest in the business, so I decided to try my luck. I did it so that no one would ever tell me that I did not try or I do not know anything about music.” Since that unsuccessful venture into music,Jim Iyke has returned to his first love,(acting),where he continues to do what he knows how to do best.
- Genevieve Nnaji
Veteran Nollywood actress Genevieve Nnaji, released a full-length album ‘One Logologo Line’ with the lead single being a song titled ‘No More’,in 2004.Genevieve told Olisa Adibua when she was featured on his online programme ‘The Truth’ recently disclosed that the decision to sing was a strategy her management team (as at then) had thought would help her make some money while still continuing as an actress.
‘I didn’t decide to sing all by myself. It was decided for me because I was being managed by somebody who thought it would be a good idea. It was a business strategy. I’ve always said when you are not ready for something don’t go into it,’ she said.
She described the venture as successful, adding that it fetched her some money and opening doors in neighboring countries like Ghana. ‘I had royalties and I got paid upfront as well. It was a success although Nigeria wasn’t the target. It was an album I did for a record company and it sold everywhere they wanted to sell.’She reiterated her plans to sing again soon, saying however that it is a decision that will be taken on her own terms.
- Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde
Nollywood star actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde took many by surprise when she ventured into the world of music in 2005.With the release of her debut album, ” Gba “which had singles like “Naija Lowa” and “The Things You Do To Me”, she established herself as a versatile brand.
She has however disclosed that her son, M.J who has produced songs for Seyi Shay and some other Nigerian music artistes does not take her as a serious musician.
In her chat with Saturday Beats, the award-winning actress revealed that she has not given up on her music career as it is one of her first loves. She said,“Did I tell anyone that I have retired from music? I hope to do a song with my son but he is very stubborn. He has his own way of doing things. I hope that in future, we can collaborate; I have a certain kind of music that I do, I like rock and soft rock. He is still young and he is experimenting.
“He is doing a lot of stuff. Obviously, he is enjoying himself because he is a ‘rave at the moment’ and maybe he is thinking that I have not ‘blown’ as a musician. I hope to prove myself in the music industry even more than my song, Gba, did. In future when I have built my own place, I would love to perform on stage instead of being commercial-oriented. I enjoy playing on stage more; I enjoy recording and performing. I hope to get there and do that so that people like my son can take me more seriously. My son knows that I am very good when it comes to music but he says, ‘It is not me you would use to blow.’”
- Charles Okocha
Nollywood actor and comic/entertaining rapper, Charles Okocha recently released a new song titled has “We Asaaaaa.”
Charles Okocha with the nickname Igwe 2pac is known with his hilarious American accent in movies and comedy. Masterkraft created the instrumental to the new tune “We Asaaaaa,” a pronunciation for the word “We Outside.” The song is the follow-up to “Am O Shine,” his earlier single.
- Tonto Dikeh
Popular Nigerian actress, Tonto Dikeh, also ventured into music in 2014,when she churned out tunes like ‘Hi’, ‘Itz Ova’, and ‘Sugar Rush’ featuring D’banj.In July 2014 reports surfaced online that D’banj had signed the actress to DB Records.After her unsuccessful venture into the music industry,she later revealed she will never forgive fans that supported her music career.
In a post on her Instagram page on the 14th of April 2021,she jokingly called out those who supported and hailed her during her singing days saying she will never forgive them. She wrote;
“Even my own flesh and blood @kingandre_dikeh is running from my singing Voice..
It is finished”
- Nkem Owoh
Nkem Owoh proved to be versatile in the entertainment industry when he ventured into music. In 2004, he released several songs with the most notable being “I Go Chop Your Dollar”. The song was featured in the movie The Master where the actor played the role of a fraudster.
What stands out in his music was how well it spoke to the times. Nigeria was coming into the advent of the scamming age, and women admiring men on the basis of their wealth is an age long popular culture trope. Not to mention the tailored soundtracks in his hit movies, plenty of which he personally recorded. Essentially, his music was always aligned with the common men and their plight.
- John Okafor ( Mr Ibu)
The highly successful and talented actor otherwise known as Mr. Ibu has made himself one of the most successful comedians in the movie industry. But for a moment, Mr. Ibu thought he had what it took to venture into the music scene releasing an album which gave him quite the shock when it flopped. Needless to say, Mr. Ibu retreated back to acting where he enjoys a successful career.
- Patience Ozokwor
Veteran Nollywood actress Patience Ozokwor, popularly known as Mama G created an era of her own. But it wasn’t just in movies. She released an album of hit songs that were instrumental components of mainstream music at the time. Her album, National Moi-Moi, featured heavy back up vocals, choreography-laden visuals, cameo appearances from Tonto Dikeh, and a rap performance from Charles Awurum. The album was a major success that eventually prompted a follow-up of the same name.
While her acting career has seen her produce some of the finest Nollywood performances, her short-lived stint in music was a creditable effort.
