Nollywood actresses are often mentioned in Afrobeats songs. Artistes use their names to describe beauty, confidence, and star power. Popular stars like Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Genevieve Nnaji, and Funke Akindele are commonly used to help listeners easily imagine the kind of woman being described. It’s a simple way for artists to connect with fans using familiar Nollywood faces.
This trend shows how closely Nollywood and Afrobeats are connected. When people hear these names in songs, it makes the music more relatable and exciting because the actresses are already well known. It also proves that these actresses are not just famous in movies, but are strong cultural figures who influence music and everyday life.
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde
Leading the pack is Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, who is the most mentioned Nollywood actress on songs; her name has become synonymous with elegance and beauty. She has been name-dropped in several Afrobeats songs. In Burna Boy’s 2019 song ‘Omo’, Burna Boy sings ‘fine like Omotola’ using her as the ultimate standard to describe the beauty of the girl. In ‘Celebrity Girlfriend’, Falz sings “But mehn, Omotola is fine, jeez!, If only she was born in the ’90s” to show his admiration for the Nollywood actress.
Also, Dbanj declared his likeness for Omotola, as he did in his song ‘Oliver Twist’. He said, ‘I like Omotola cos people like her.’ This shows that he understands why people like her, and he’s part of the people who do. Nasboi also used ‘fine girl like Omotola’ in his song ‘Short Skirt’. to continue the momentum of Omotola being mentioned on an afrobeat song, Fireboy also used her name on a song to show rhythm ‘Drip hard Like Gunna, Fine like Omotola’, Rema also used her name in his hit single ‘Dumebi’ when he said ‘Where Omotola?”, also used in ‘Omo to sexy’ by Bunde, where the lyric goes as ‘Omo to sexy, to sexy, to sexy’. Then, to round it up, there is Omotola Jalade by FeyoTheGenius, an artist who named the song after the actress’s name.
Genevieve Nnaji
Genevieve Nnaji is another actress who gets name-dropped frequently in Afrobeats songs, and it’s easy to see why her beauty and charisma make her a popular muse. One of the biggest songs where she is mentioned is “Oliver Twist” by D’banj, where he sings, “I like Genevieve, I think that she’s so sweet.” In “Kontrol” by Maleek Berry, the singer says, “Fine face like Genevieve (oh, na), anything you want I go be (oh, yeah),” highlighting her iconic looks. Phyno also uses her name in his song ‘Ghost Mode’ when he said: “same chick l I use to tell you look like Geneveive, now look in my face and ask me you fucking Geneveive, the real Geneveive.”
Magnito also honored her in a song titled “Genevieve,” singing, “I need a girlfriend just like Genevieve, just like Genevieve,” showing how highly she is respected. Even Falz mentions her in “Celebrity Girlfriend,” rapping: “Honestly, I’m searching for a damsel / Genevieve ni mo fe fe,” declaring his admiration and playful wish to marry her.
Rita Dominic
Rita Dominic is often mentioned in Afrobeats songs because of her beauty, style, and charm. In Flaz’s song Celebrity Girlfriend, he says, “I like Rita Dominic, I hope we get married,” showing how much he admires her. Magnito also mentions her in Geneveive: “Her person to me dey unique, on the other hand she come be friends with Rita Dominic,” showing she’s well-known and respected.
Ice Prince brings her up in his song Pray too: “I’ve never seen Alaba dey smile like this, come dey be like Rita Dominic reply my tweets,” using her as an example of charm and attention. These songs show that Rita Dominic is not just a Nollywood star, she’s also admired in music for her style and personality.
Funke Akindele
Funke Akindele is one of the Nigerian actresses who has been famously name-dropped in Afrobeats songs. She was mentioned in Wizkid’s hit song Pakurumo from his 2011 Superstar album. The song didn’t just mention her in the lyrics; she was also featured in the official music video. As Wizkid’s verse, “Funke, pakurumo pakurumo ko jo dada,” played in the background, Funke showed off her dance moves, making the mention even more memorable.
Interestingly, Funke Akindele was mentioned in the soundtrack for Jenifa’s Diary, which is also an Afrobeats-style song by her and K-Lite. In the track, she appears under her iconic character name, Jenifa, bringing the beloved series to life through music. The song, featuring the memorable line “Oh Jenifa, Jenifa no dey gree at all,”.
Mercy Johnson
Mercy Johnson has also been mentioned in an Afrobeats song. In the Aboki (Remix) by Ice Prince, featuring Sarkodie, Wizkid, and M.I, there’s a fun line: “Mercy Johnson, will you be my wifey?” She reportedly replied, “Sarkodie, I’m married,” and he jokingly said, “Okay, I see.” This shows how Afrobeats artists like to mention Nollywood stars in playful and entertaining ways.
Patience Ozokwor
Patience Ozokwor, famously known for her iconic wicked and villainous roles in Nollywood movies, has naturally become a reference point in Afrobeats songs. Her on-screen persona is so memorable that artists often use her name to describe a bold, sassy, or mischievous woman. For example, in his 2020 hit “Woman,” Rema raps, “One way dey do me winchy, winchy, She dey do like Patience Ozokwor,” drawing a playful comparison to the actress’s unforgettable characters.
Nancy Isime
Nancy Isime is another Nigerian actress who has been mentioned in Afrobeats songs, showing how Nollywood stars inspire music. She even has tracks dedicated to her name, like “Nancy Isime” by 2Bless and “NANCY ISIME” by O2NotNice featuring TINODLX. Having songs named after her shows her influence, as artistes celebrate her personality, beauty, and popularity.
Uche Jumbo
Uche Jumbo is another Nigerian actress who has been honored in Afrobeats music, with tracks dedicated to her name that show her influence. The 2024 single “Uche Jumbo” by Mykah and Morrelo, from Mykah’s EP Long Time Coming, is one such track. In the song, while using Uche Jumbo’s name as a metaphor for being “high” or dazed by love, with lyrics like “I don muzz like I smoke Uche Jumbo”. The clever wordplay compares her iconic presence to an intense, intoxicating feeling, highlighting her star power.
Victony also mentions her in his song Stubborn featuring Asake, saying, “I’ve never been missing in action, they start to dey call me Uche Jumbo.” These references show that her influence goes beyond Nollywood, inspiring artists to celebrate her charm, personality, and status through music.
Ini Edo
Ini Edo’s beauty has even inspired Afrobeats stars! She was famously mentioned in “Roma” by Wizkid featuring TERRI from Wizkid’s Made in Lagos album. In the song, her name is used to celebrate beauty, with the playful line: “See that thing you dey find / Say my girl you dey fine pass Ini Edo do.” It’s a sweet nod to her charm, showing just how admired she is both on and off screen.
Ini Edo is also mentioned in a song. Her name is featured in the song “Ini Edo” by Froshking; the name of the song is dedicated to her, with the catchy chorus: “Ini Edo, Ini Edo / Shawty you sweet like potato.”
Sophie Alakija
Nollywood actress Sophie Alakija has also been referenced in Afrobeats. She even has a song named after her by Sonorous Kanye titled “Sophie Alakija.” The track was released as part of his Beyond the Surface EP in 2022.
In the song, the singer expresses admiration and appreciation, using her name as a symbol of someone special. In the chorus, he sings: “If e no be you wey you dey hold me down… Sophie Alakija,” showing how important the person is to him.
