Why Doesn’t Nollywood Make More Biopics About Nigerian Music Icons?

The global success of recent music biopics shows that audiences will watch well-told stories about cultural icons. Nigeria also has musicians whose careers could make compelling films, from King Sunny Ade, Sir Shina Peters and Fela to newer stars such as Don Jazzy, D’banj, Davido and Burna Boy. A strong biopic could preserve the defining moments, rivalries, struggles and behind-the-scenes stories of these artists while they and their close associates can still provide accurate accounts. Their impact on Nigerian music and popular culture is significant enough to attract local audiences and potentially viewers abroad. Nigeria has made attempts before, including a Fela documentary and the 2021 film about Ayinla. Despite mixed reactions, better writing, research, casting and production could make music biopics a viable direction for Nollywood.

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