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Nollywood Stars Who Ventured Into Music But...

By NAOMI ADAMU
There is no doubt that they are part of the movers and shakers of the motion picture industry, and their immense contributions to what is today celebrated as Nollywood cannot be underestimated. When they decided to spread their tentacles to the music industry, one would naturally hope that their ready-made fame in moviedom will pave the way, but surprisingly, writes NAOMI ADAMU, their achievements as actors have apparently failed to make the difference for them in the music industry.

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde

She is one of the best and most celebrated Nollywood divas. She is highly successful as an actress, but several attempts by the beautiful wife of pilot Matthew Ekeinde at music have been nothing to write home about, despite being an established movie celebrity.

She was one of the thespians who tried their luck in music in 2005 after they were banned by the then Ejike Asiegbu -led AGN regime. In that year, she released a single entitled Gba, and was followed by a video and album. But despite the massive hype, the album was indeed a failure.

She has since released another album and songs like Missing You and Feel Alright, but yet, she has made little or no impact in the music industry.

Genevieve Nnaji

Genny, as she is fondly called, is one of the most celebrated Nollywood actresses both in Nigeria and abroad. In 2005 after she was suspended from acting along with Omotola, Genevieve also took a shot on music with the release of the song No More.

She went on to get a mouth-watering recording deal in Ghana, but it wasn't even enough to make her a force to reckon with in the music industry. She is one of those Nollywood stars who failed in their attempt at music.

John Okafor

Otherwise known as Mr. Ibu, John is a highly skilled and successful actor who has carved a niche for himself. Regarded as one of the most hilarious actors in Nigeria, Mr. Ibu has severally claimed that he has a good singing voice.

He actually released an audio/video album some years back, but it cannot be regarded as a success. He had sincereturnedto his original talent –acting.

Anita Joseph

Until recently when she announced that she is now a born again Christian, Anita was hitherto referred to as a Nollywood bad girl. Though she was enmeshed in a lot of controversies, Anita has proved her mettle as one of the future talents in Nollywood.

Between the years 2008/2009, she released a single and consequently performed in a couple of shows, including the News of The People Awards held at Sheraton Hotels, Lagos. Even at that, she is yet to make any spectacular statement as a singer. Right now, she is set to drop two new gospel singles, claiming that God directed her to do so during the fuel subsidy removal nationwide strike.

Jim Iyke

The list of wannabe Nollywood singers will not be complete without the name of controversial actor, Jim Iyke. The former Globacom ambassador also romanced music when he released the song, Who Am I, featuring one of Nigeria's finest, Tuface Idibia.

Jim, whose genre of music is rap, was actually keen on making a statement musically and he spent a fortune on radio and television hypes. Yet, his music career was short of being a success. The actor also did another entitled; Born To Do This and featured Mike Word and Puffy T on it, but it did not make any good impact either.

Nkem Owoh

Popularly referred to as Osuofia, Nkem Owoh is a highly successful actor. At a time, he was the highest paid Nollywood actor, raking millions from every script that came his way, but when he decided to grab the microphone and consequently released the song, I Go Chop Your Dollar, it did not sleep on a bed of roses.

The audio and video of the song were banned on air due to its lyrical content. Osuofia went ahead to record another song, Olamma, but it was also short of being a success.

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