By Fathia Sanni
Nigerian musicians have a history of crossing over into acting, bringing more talent to Nollywood. Artists like Banky W, Falz, and Tiwa Savage have gone from making music to acting in movies like The Wedding Party, Everybody Loves Jennifer (2024), and Water and Garri (2024). This shows how talented Nigerian entertainers are and encourages more musicians to try acting.
Here are five musicians who haven't acted before but have shown through their music videos and fan interactions that they could do well in movies.
Fireboy DML
If there's one artist who has been subtly auditioning for Nollywood through his music videos, it's Fireboy DML. Early last year, during an interview with Billboard News, he openly expressed his interest in joining the movie industry, and honestly, it wasn’t a surprise. Fireboy is versatile; he can express emotions effortlessly through facial expressions and body language.
In the video for 'Jealous,' the song that put him in the limelight, Fireboy perfectly captures the pain of love, jealousy, and betrayal. His melancholic expressions felt genuine. The guy ATE. In 'Champion,' he plays the role of a struggling young man who rises to success. The video has strong storytelling elements, and his calm yet confident demeanor gives off the vibe of a character in a "rise-to-fame" movie.
Fireboy's romantic side shines in 'What If I Say,' where he plays a playful and charming lover boy. On the other hand, in 'Need You,' his performance is more intense. It's a lovey-dovey video with a mix of drama, action, and suspense. Here, he portrays a man deeply in love but caught in a dangerous situation. Then there's 'Scatter,' where we see a completely different Fireboy—carefree, wild, and full of energy.
Fireboy's emotions naturally make him a strong candidate for acting. He can take on melancholic, deep roles (Champion, Jealous), charming romantic leads (What If I Say, Need You), and even fun, eccentric characters (Scatter).
Joeboy
Joeboy is one of those Nigerian artists whose music videos often feel like short Nollywood movies. In 'Don't Call Me Back' featuring Mayorkun, he plays a heartbroken lover dealing with unrequited love. His facial expressions clearly show his frustration and sadness, and the storytelling in the video is simple, short, and very effective.
In 'Call,' Joeboy becomes a hero, rescuing his girlfriend from a chaotic situation. The video has an action-romance vibe, and his confident performance stands out.
'Contour' shows another side of Joeboy, depicting the complexities of a failing relationship. His melancholic performance, filled with tension and regret, suggests he can handle deeper, more complex roles. As noted by GRAMMY.com, Joeboy "traces the trajectory of a doomed relationship" in this haunting, piano-driven ballad, highlighting the paradoxical complexities of love.
In 'Beginning' and 'Adenuga,' we see Joeboy's playful and carefree side, proving he can handle romantic roles.
The 'Body and Soul' crooner has the charm for romantic leads, the energy for youthful roles, and the depth for more serious or melancholic characters. This proves that he has what it takes to be a Nollywood star.
BNXN
BNXN (F.K.A Buju) doesn't just sing; he knows how to bring his song to life through acting. He has shown remarkable versatility and great acting potential in his music videos, as each video shows a different side of him.
In the music video for his song 'Pray,' BNXN reflects on his struggles, journey, and the importance of prayer in overcoming life's challenges. The way he expresses vulnerability with his facial expressions and body language draws viewers into his personal story.
In 'For Days', he switches things up and plays a completely different role as a man yearning for his beloved.
In 'Finesse' (featuring Pheelz), he displays his playful and confident side. He plays the role of a street-smart and carefree guy enjoying and living his life the way he wants.
'Fi Kan We Kan' further proves his ability to take on a tough, street-smart character, making him a great fit for action or crime dramas.
Buju's ability to play different characters and express emotions effortlessly proves that he has what it takes to thrive in Nollywood if he decides to venture into it. He could easily fit into roles as a romantic lead, a dramatic character, a streetwise or gangster figure, or a lively and confident personality.
Kizz Daniel
Kizz Daniel (also known as Vado) doesn't just drop hit songs but also acts out his songs in his music videos, showing his knack for storytelling.
Take his song 'Lie,' for example, where he plays the role of a man reassuring his lover of his honesty and commitment. His expressions and body language, even during the scenes that show them arguing, make you feel the sincerity of his promises.
Then there's 'Eh God' (Barnabas), where Kizz Daniel reflects on his success, struggles, and the grace that keeps him going. His performance expresses his gratitude and, at the same time, his ambition, showing he can handle complex roles.
In 'One Ticket' with Davido, Kizz Daniel plays the role of a frustrated lover tired of being taken for granted. His expressions of anger and pain make the breakup song relatable.
'Pak 'N' Go' showcases yet another side of him, as he depicts a man fed up with his partner's demands. The video has a playfulness attached to it, showing that Kizz Daniel is capable of balancing humor and seriousness.
Kizz Daniel's ability to take on different characters in his videos suggests he could excel in Nollywood, whether as a romantic lead, a dramatic figure, or a charismatic personality.
Qing Madi
One quality that makes Qing Madi stand out among other young artists is her ability to act out her lyrics and make her music videos feel like stories one can relate to.
'In Why,' set in a high school, she portrays teenage experiences like young love and self-discovery, delivering a performance so natural and effortless that doesn't even seem like she's acting.
In 'American Love,' she and fellow artist Taves paint a picture of a cute neighborhood romance, effectively conveying young love through genuine chemistry.
In 'Vision,' she plays a ballerina, expressing the struggle between romantic feelings and personal goals. Qing Madi uses dance and expressions to show the struggle.
These performances show off her acting potential, suggesting she could play roles such as young romantic leads, coming-of-age protagonists, performing artists, or even more complex female roles in Nollywood movies.
The way these musicians bring their stories to life in their music videos and the positive feedback from fans show that they have what it takes to succeed in acting. As Nollywood grows, bringing in talented musicians like these could add new and exciting stories to the industry.
Nice write up dear 😊🤭
ReplyDelete