Here’s an interesting article written by Vanguard staff writers, Benjamin Njoku & Ifechi Okoh.
Today, take a look at some of the front-line Nollywood actors and actresses who ventured into music but could not continue after releasing one or two singles.
1. Genevieve Nnaji
Genevieve Nnaji was the first Nollywood actress to delve into music, after she was suspended from acting alongside some of her colleagues in 2005. She released her first single, “No More” which earned her a mouth-watering recording deal in Ghana, before she went underground.Ten years after she released that song, the respected actress has never made any attempt again to rock the microphone. The last that was heard of her was when D’banj featured her in the music video of his “Fall in Love”song. Pundits are convinced that the star of “Ije: The Journey” and “Tangle with Me” did not only lack the carriage and drive to sustain her dream as a budding singer, but also, she wasn’t as hot as the likes of Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Seyi Shay, Cynthia Morgan among others.
2. Omotola Jalade Ekehinde
2. Omotola Jalade Ekehinde
Like Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola tried her hands on music, after she was banned alongside Genny by the then Ejike Asiegbu-led AGN in 2005. That year, she released a single entitled ‘Gba,’ followed by the video and an album. But despite the massive airplay, the album did not see the light of the day.Her star dimmed after she released other songs like ‘Missing You’ and ‘Feel Alright.’ Omotola knew when to call it quits and realizing that music isn’t her calling, the actress quickly returned to her first love – acting. And since then, you hardly can hear her talk about music.3. Anita Joseph
Anita Joseph is actually not one of the most-sought-after actresses in Nollywood but she certainly has made a name for herself as a controversial actress. Few years back, she delved into music, releasing her debut single entitled, “Go Gaga.” The song did not make the desired impact, even though it managed to receive some airplay with plenty uncomplimentary reviews, before going into oblivion.She made efforts to perform at Ikeja niteclub, but her outing never gained the necessary attention to her album. Not stopping at that, the controversial actress went back to work, and this time, planned two new gospel songs, claiming it was God that directed her to do so. But till date, those planned works are yet to see the light of the day. Ever since, nothing has been heard of her musically.
4. Shan George
Shan George She is a great actress any day. But when she strayed into music, tongues wagged that she might not go far in the field. And true to her critics’ prediction, she didn’t. Like her colleagues, the passion died as soon as she arrived the nation’s music scene. It would be recalled that she performed in a couple of gigs, including the annual ‘Felabration’ and has released an album.Her musical video, which was directed by Grant Amehin was excellent but Shan George could not sustain the tempo. She faded away. It was said that she was not cut out to be a long time singer. And truly, she once confessed that her albums were just for the people in her village.Her brand of music was in the popular genres like folklore, highlife and afro. To many, Shan George’s greatest undoing was her decision to delve into music. Now that one of her sons is into music, there is the possibility that she might decide to do a collaboration with him.
5. Patience Ozokwor
Patience Ozokwor Popularly called Mama G, when Patience Ozokwor, widely known for her wicked roles in movies, decided to give music a shot, her fans expressed strong reservations.This is not because she lacked the rare talent to launch herself into the mainstream music world, but more to that, she didn’t have the staying power in the industry.After releasing the video for ‘Adaeze,’ a single off her ‘Ojadili’ album in 2012, nothing was heard from her again. Mama G did not release more than a single before she disappeared from the scene.
6. Tonto Dikeh
The list of actors who strayed into music cannot be complete without mentioning Tonto Dikeh . This controversial actress grabbed the microphone to show the other side of her talent. But the move didn’t pay off. Tonto, who has been humbled by marriage faced criticisms over her “Get High Ït’s Ova” songs which she released in 2012.Many praised her creativity, while others who remained neutral turned her songs into a comedy. Yet, in the midst of those criticisms, she remained undaunted and focused, with many of her fans still loving and following her on Facebook and Twitter.
7. Jim Iyke
Nollywood bad boy, Jim Iyke, stormed the music scene with a lot of swagger and disappeared the same way he emerged. Then, many were optimistic that he would make impact on the music scene which his female colleagues failed to accomplish.But how they were proved wrong! Jim did not go beyond releasing a single, “Who am I,” in which he featured 2face. Jim, whose genre of music is rap, was actually determined to break into the music industry. He did everything to promote his music, spending a fortune on radio and television hypes.Yet, his music career was short of being a success. The actor also did another song entitled, ‘Born to do this.’ It featured Mike Word and Puffy T, but his sojourn in the industry failed.
8. Nkem Owoh and John Okafor
John Okafor, popularly called Mr. Ibu, and Nkem Owoh, a.k.a Osuofia, are two comic actors better described as thoroughbred Thespians. When they veered into music, many of their fans were not disturbed. Osuofia went ahead to release the hilarious song, ‘I go chop your Dollar.’The audio and video of the song were banned on air due to their lyrical content. Not to be discouraged, the comic actor released another song, ‘Olamma,’ but he didn’t shine with the song. Just as his partner in ‘crime’, Mr. Ibu, grabbed the microphone and released an audio/video album some years back.9. Ebube Nwagbo
Ebube Nwagbo also joined the league of failed actors-turned-musicians when she released her gospel album which she rendered in Igbo, “Agam Ebegara Chineke Akwa,” with a hit track Öge Ngozi mi Ebugo.”The beautiful actress went underground after releasing the album0. Desmond Elliot
Hon. Desmond Elliot started out as an actor and later tried his hands in music. While he may have succeeded in politics, the Nollywood actor cum director didn’t record the success in music.Source: VANGUARD
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