African Songs continue to reshape storytelling, one cinematic moment at a time.
The world of Afrobeats is endlessly fascinating, not just for its infectious rhythms or global chart domination, but for the ripple effects it has created across pop culture. One of the most telling by-products of its commercialization is how seamlessly African music has become woven into the fabric of visual storytelling, from homegrown productions to blockbuster films.
Music has always played a pivotal role in African cinema, especially in Nollywood, where soundtracks often serve as emotional anchors or comic relief. Think about the delicate use of Kizz Daniel’s Laye in The Wedding Party, heightening the romance and glamor of Lagos’ most extravagant fictional wedding. Or Nasty C and Rowlene’s SMA pulsing through Netflix’s Blood & Water, effortlessly blending Gen Z angst with slick South African storytelling.
It’s not just about inserting hit songs either. African filmmakers have long understood the power of original music made for film—Odunlade Adekola’s extensive musical catalog for his Yoruba movies is a prime example, as is Nkem Owoh’s satirical I Go Chop Your Dollar, which became as iconic as his performance in The Master.
Now, the globalization of media has expanded the playground. Western filmmakers are not only tapping into the vibrancy of African soundscapes—they’re using it to deepen their narratives. Take the haunting reimagining of Bob Marley’s No Woman No Cry by Tems in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. This is a bold affirmation that African music can hold space in the most emotionally charged cinematic universes.
This crossover has even led Afrobeats stars to explore acting, with a growing number of movies starring Afrobeats stars. As their influence stretches beyond the music scene, these artists are taking on roles that further emphasize Afrobeats’ global reach—a theme we’ve previously explored. In this piece, however, we turn our attention to the music itself, spotlighting African songs that have been featured in major film and television productions.
With that said, here are 20 times African songs were featured in top TV shows and movies—moments where the music didn’t just play in the background, but helped drive the story forward.
1. Burna Boy – Alone | Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Burna Boy’s Alone stands out as a soul-stirring ballad that captures the film’s emotional depth. Its slow tempo, layered piano melodies, and Burna’s raw delivery reflect the sorrow, solitude, and strength that define the Wakandan legacy. A meditative piece on isolation, the song became one of the most praised tracks on the official soundtrack.
2. 2Baba – African Queen | Phat Girlz
2Baba’s classic love song African Queen found a global stage in Phat Girlz, the 2006 romantic comedy starring Mo’Nique. Set against a story that celebrates body positivity, the inclusion of this Nigerian hit was so impactful that it led to a Lagos premiere graced by the film’s director Nnegest Likké, star Jimmy Jean-Louis, and 2Baba himself.
3. Fela Kuti – Let’s Start | The Harder They Fall
When The Harder They Fall trailer dropped, fans were stunned to hear Fela Kuti’s fiery Let’s Start. Used in a confrontation scene between Regina King and Zazie Beetz, the song’s Yoruba lyrics and afrobeat energy made it a powerful choice.
4. Davido – Assurance | Coming 2 America
Davido didn’t just lend his song Assurance to Coming 2 America—he showed up in the film, performing it at the Lavelle & Mirembe wedding scene. His cameo in the 2021 sequel added a touch of Afrobeats royalty to the franchise, and according to the singer, he earned $15,000 per day on set.
5. Davido – Skelewu | Queen of Katwe
Set in the slums of Uganda, Queen of Katwe follows a chess prodigy’s rise. Davido’s high-energy Skelewu helped inject vibrancy into the film’s introspective score. Featured on the official soundtrack, the song played during pivotal scenes.
6. Kofi Nti – Odo Nwom | The Kitchen
Netflix’s dystopian drama The Kitchen incorporates the Ghanaian highlife classic Odo Nwom by Kofi Nti, Ofori Amponsah, and Barosky. Co-director Kibwe Tavares emphasized the soundtrack’s genre-blending approach—mixing grime, garage, and African rhythms to reflect the multi-layered world the film builds.
7. Davido – Fall | Sex Education (Season 3)
When Sex Education took Eric back to Nigeria for a wedding in Season 3, producers leaned into authenticity by using Davido’s romantic smash Fall. The moment felt like a warm embrace for Nigerian viewers and showed the global appeal of Afrobeats in storytelling.
8. Skales – Shake Body | Sex Education (Season 3)
Before the wedding scenes unfold, Eric shares a light-hearted moment, dancing in front of his mirror to Skales’ upbeat hit Shake Body. The infectious track adds a playful energy to the scene, highlighting a rare carefree glimpse into his character.
9. Burna Boy – Gbona | Top Boy
As Top Boy’s Jamie walks free, Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy’s Gbona ignites the air with its swagger. The Afro-fusion track, laced with Yoruba lyrics, underscores Jamie’s return to the streets—equal parts celebration and foreboding.
10. Omah Lay – I’m a Mess | Everything Now
Netflix’s Everything Now opens with Afrobeats sensation Omah Lay’s introspective track I’m a Mess, immediately setting a vulnerable and emotionally raw tone for the series. The song underscores the journey of Mia, a teenager navigating the complexities of recovery from anorexia, and frames the show’s exploration of mental health with quiet intensity.
11. Hugh Masekela – Sarafina! | Sarafina!
The iconic 1992 anti-apartheid musical Sarafina! featured South African jazz legend Hugh Masekela’s title track. The song—rich in resistance and pride—helped narrate the story of the Soweto Uprising, with a star-studded cast including Whoopi Goldberg and Miriam Makeba.
12. Wizkid – Daddy Yo | Pacific Rim: Uprising
In Pacific Rim: Uprising, Afrobeats superstar Wizkid’s Daddy Yo soundtracks the post-battle celebration of the Jaegers’ victory over the Kaijus. Rather than fight scenes, the song plays during a raucous after-party, spotlighting African pop’s global appeal and syncing perfectly into the scene.
13. King Sunny Ade – 365 Is My Number | Breathless (1983)
Long before Afrobeats hit Hollywood, Nigerian juju legend King Sunny Ade was paving the way. His track 365 Is My Number appeared in the 1983 neo-noir thriller Breathless, starring Richard Gere. It marked one of the earliest uses of Nigerian music in a major American film.
14. P-Square – Shekini | Queen of Katwe
Also featured in Queen of Katwe is P-Square’s Afrobeats cut Shekini, alongside other African hits like MC Galaxy’s Sekem. These tracks added levity and dance-floor joy to the film, making its African setting feel lived-in and celebratory.
15. Blackway & Black Caviar – What’s Up Danger | Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
What’s Up Danger by Ghanaian-American rapper Blackway and producer duo Black Caviar earned its place here. The adrenaline-fueled anthem matched Miles Morales’ daring leap into superheroism and brought African diasporic influence to the animated hit.
16. Shatta Wale – Ayoo & My Level | Black Beach
Ghanaian Dancehall and Afrobeats artist Shatta Wale had not just one, but two of his songs—Ayoo and My Level —featured in Black Beach, a Spanish political thriller. The inclusion of both tracks marked a notable moment for Ghanaian music on the international film stage, showcasing Shatta Wale’s broad appeal beyond the borders of West Africa.
17. Bas, Kel P & Black Sherif – Blood, Sweat & Tears | Creed III
In Creed III, Blood, Sweat & Tears by Bas, Kel P, and Ghana’s Black Sherif fuels the emotional arc of the film. Its themes of grit and ambition mirror the movie’s fight for identity and legacy.
18. Aya Nakamura – Djadja | Élite (Season 5)
French-Malian artist Aya Nakamura gained broader international visibility when her hit song Djadja was featured in Season 5, Episode 3 of the Netflix series Élite. The inclusion of the track helped introduce her music to new audiences beyond Francophone regions and contributed to the continued global recognition of her work.
19. Yemi Alade – Sacred Love | The Book of Clarence
Yemi Alade joins Jeymes Samuel on Sacred Love, a track on the soundtrack for The Book of Clarence—a biblical satire with a modern twist. The film’s diverse music lineup highlighted African talents, including Afrobeats diva Yemi Alade, whose vocals offer a divine, soulful presence.
20. Flavour – Game Changer | Power Book II: Ghost
In Power Book II: Ghost, Flavour’s recent highlife anthem from 2022 Game Changer plays during a Nigerian wedding scene. The lavish display of culture got fans buzzing, with reports suggesting Flavour was paid handsomely—rumored to be over a billion naira—for the placement.
