From chart-topping hits to big movie roles, Afrobeats stars are taking over the silver screens —proving their influence goes far beyond music.
Afrobeats is no longer just a genre—it’s a global cultural force, shaping everything from fashion and slang to the silver screen. As the movement continues to rise, many of its stars are expanding their artistry beyond music, with many Afrobeats musicians dabbling in acting.
Beyond the countless times Afrobeats songs have been featured in top movies and TV shows, we’re now seeing a new level of cultural influence—whether in supporting roles or lead performances, these artists are proving they’re not just chart-toppers—they’re multifaceted entertainers.
This list explores some of the most notable films that have featured Afrobeats stars in memorable roles:
1. Sugar Rush – Banky W
Banky W’s earliest acting appearance was in The Return of Jenifa (2011), where he played himself in a cameo. But it was his role in The Wedding Party that truly launched him as a serious actor in Nollywood. In Sugar Rush, a high-energy heist comedy, Banky W plays Anikulapo — a cold-blooded villain and son of a late politician.
It’s one of his most transformative roles to date, complete with dyed beards, intimidating stares, and a surprisingly sinister presence. While Sugar Rush is packed with comedic chaos and action, Banky’s performance grounds the film with a sense of real threat — and it’s worth watching just to see him play against type.
2. Christmas in Lagos – Ladipoe & Ayra Starr
Jade Osiberu’s 2024 Christmas release brought two Mavin Records Afrobeats stars — rapper Ladipoe and singer Ayra Starr — into the acting world for the first time. The film follows Fiyin, a young woman in love with her best friend, Eko, as the holiday season brings romance, tension, and unexpected connections.
Ladipoe plays Ajani, a charming Lagos local who forms a romantic bond with Ivie, Fiyin’s wealthy cousin visiting from abroad. While his acting debut is decent, Ladipoe occasionally struggles to fully immerse himself in the role. Ayra Starr’s screen time is brief, but her presence adds to the film’s youthful Lagos energy. It’s a light, festive watch with a fresh cast.
3. Chief Daddy – Falz
Falz has carved out an enviable acting career in Nollywood, and his role in Chief Daddy is one of his most iconic. As Big Money Famzy — the overly pampered son of a wealthy patriarch — Falz is at his comedic best. Whether he’s rapping his nonsense in a studio scene or performing his chaotic music at his father’s funeral with his overbearing girlfriend cheering him on, his performance is chaotic and hilarious.
Falz’s acting journey began with a recurring role on Jenifa’s Diary, and he has since won multiple AMVCA awards. This role in Chief Daddy just showed how much range as an Afrobeats artist that he actually has. It’s exaggerated, yes — but it’s also hilarious.
4. Water & Garri – Tiwa Savage
Directed by Meji Alabi, Water & Garri marks Tiwa Savage’s first major lead role in a feature film. She plays Aisha, a successful fashion designer returning to her hometown after a decade away, only to confront old wounds, lost love, and lingering guilt.
While the film has been criticized for its pacing and underdeveloped script, Tiwa’s performance shows promise. There’s a quiet depth in how she portrays grief and displacement, even if the execution doesn’t always land. The film also served as a creative extension of her music, with an accompanying EP that deepens the story’s emotional palette.
5. The CEO – Angélique Kidjo
In Kunle Afolayan’s corporate thriller The CEO, legendary Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo delivers a surprisingly measured performance. She plays Dr. Zimmerman, a tough executive embroiled in a high-stakes leadership retreat that turns deadly.
Kidjo brings a commanding presence to the role, combining her natural gravitas with a sharp edge. While she doesn’t dominate the film, her character’s quiet authority leaves a lasting impression — and it’s a refreshing reminder that her talents extend well beyond music.
6. Gangs of Lagos – Zlatan Ibile & Chike
Amazon Prime’s Gangs of Lagos tells the tale of Oba, a young man raised in the heart of Lagos’ underworld. The film features strong supporting roles from Afrobeats stars Chike and Zlatan. Chike plays Pana, a sensitive, streetwise artist and Oba’s childhood friend, whose tragic death serves as one of the film’s emotional turning points.
Zlatan, on the other hand, plays Kash — an unrepentant thug with a flair for violence. Both musicians deliver surprisingly convincing performances. Chike’s softness contrasts sharply with Zlatan’s raw aggression, and together, they help deepen the film’s emotional stakes.
7. Omo Ghetto: The Saga – Yemi Alade & Slimcase
In Omo Ghetto: The Saga, Afrobeats artists, Yemi Alade and Slimcase make brief but impactful appearances in the film’s opening scenes. A sequel to Funke Akindele’s cult classic Omo Ghetto, the film follows Lefty — a tough, street-smart woman caught between life in the slums and her more refined twin sister’s world.
While Yemi Alade and Slimcase aren’t central to the story, their cameos set the tone for a film bursting with energy, music, and chaotic humor. Their presence feels natural, and for fans of Afrobeats, it’s fun to see them in this exaggerated Lagos universe.
8. Lionheart – Phyno & Mr P
Lionheart made history as the first Nigerian film acquired by Netflix, and its cast included appearances by two major Afrobeats figures: Phyno and Mr P (of P-Square). Phyno plays Obiora, the younger brother of lead character Adaeze (played by Genevieve Nnaji), while Mr P takes on the role of Arinze, a suitor with questionable intentions.
Phyno delivers a quiet performance as the musician-sibling, while Mr P’s smooth-talking character adds romantic tension to the narrative.
9. Palava! – Omawumi
In the family dramedy Palava!, Omawumi steps in as Aunty Ese, the no-nonsense elder sister of legendary highlife artist Osa Wonda. The film centers on Osa’s chaotic family life and the legacy he’s trying to manage (or escape) as a public scandal erupts.
Omawumi plays her role with a grounded warmth, blending humor and authority in a way that adds balance to the otherwise larger-than-life cast. It’s a fun, easy watch — and her performance is a standout.
10. Lara and the Beat – Vector, Seyi Shay & DJ Exclusive
In this musical romance, Seyi Shay takes the lead as Lara Giwa, a spoilt heiress caught in a financial scandal that threatens her family’s legacy. Along the way, she falls in love with Sal, a musician played by rapper Vector after being dumped by Jide, played by DJ Exclusive.
While the film follows familiar romantic beats, it thrives on the chemistry between its leads. Seyi Shay’s debut is charming, if not entirely polished, and Vector brings quiet intensity to his role. The music-infused storyline allows both to lean into their musical strengths while exploring new creative ground.
11. Return of Jenifa – Wizkid, Skales & Banky W
Funke Akindele’s Return of Jenifa is packed with pop culture cameos, but seeing Wizkid, Skales, and Banky W together in one scene is a nostalgic nod to the golden era of Afrobeats. Playing themselves in a Lagos airport scene, the trio add a touch of celebrity glamour to Jenifa’s chaotic quest for fame. It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment — but one that captured the zeitgeist of early 2010s Naija pop.
12. Single and Married – Efya & Itz Tiffany
This Ghanaian romantic drama features cameo roles from singers Efya and Itz Tiffany, who play Judith and Yolanda, respectively. Though not central to the story, their appearances help reinforce the movie’s complicated dynamic story of love, career, and fidelity among three couples.
13. Coming 2 America – Davido & Rotimi
Davido made a memorable cameo in Coming 2 America, the sequel to the Eddie Murphy classic. Playing himself, the Afrobeats superstar lit up the screen with a performance of his hit single Assurance during a vibrant party scene—an iconic moment that showcased African music on a global platform. The star-studded cast also included fellow Afrobeats-R&B artist Rotimi, alongside Jermaine Fowler, Wesley Snipes, Tracy Morgan, Leslie Jones, KiKi Layne, Rick Ross, Luenell, Teyana Taylor, and Michael Blackson—each bringing fresh energy and personality to the beloved franchise.
