It is no news that the movie industry has grown, especially when you consider the clamour by many to be part of the razzmatazz. The quest to be a celebrity has made the industry swell in its list of actors and actresses such that those who started it all have now been termed older actors, while the new entrants are called young actors.
The music industry is also another place most people want to be. There are many young men and women, who believe they have the talent to sing and have actually gotten involved in the music industry, some of them half baked musicians, as they are called.
What then is the relationship between the movie industry and the music industry? It is not uncommon to see actors moving from music to acting and even acting to music, especially if you take a look at Hollywood from where our movie industry got its name.
In Nollywood, the previous years have seen movement of many actors and actresses into music. Some have released albums, which made successes; while some others could not go further than the record studio or television and radio stations.
The likes of Genevieve Nnaji got many wondering what she was thinking about when she released her song No more crying. Of course, it enjoyed a lot of airplay with her status as a star, but then, the question while watching the video of the song was: does she really have the talent?
Since that song, she is yet to release any other song and she has therefore put herself in the category of one song artiste as she has not even gone back to the studio nor is she really into acting again though she has started a clothing line.
Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde is one actress, whose figure many will go gaga for, especially after four kids but while she may appear sexy, her decision to get into music with the claim that she has the talent may not have been a wise one. As critics would say, her first release Gba did not make an impact and was only enjoyed by those loyal to her.
Nonetheless, she is right now in the studio working on a second album.
Perhaps, the only actor, who has gotten it right in his choice of both careers is Segun Arinze, otherwise called Black Arrow. Why? He had recorded his first album in 1992 released under the Premier Music record label and it was a success.
Now he has finished recording another, and just waiting for the record label, Ojez Music, to release the album.
Following closely on his heels is comedy actor, Nkem Owoh, whose first musical attempt I go chop your dollar got his fan base increased and indeed, the album sold many copies, maybe because he decided to go about it in a very hilarious way.
Right now Owoh is working on his second album, which is about his rumored death months ago, and which he said will be released soon.
New entrants into the music industry from the movie scene are people like Shan George, Jim Iyke, Oby Edozieh and John Okafor. For George, she has released into the market her album Ntekene comprising of songs in her native Abi, Cross River state local dialect.
Jim Iyke on his part has gone to the studio and will soon be out with an album Who am I, which is all about his beef with Emeka Ike and Olisa Adibua.
Oby Gold Edozieh is also recording and John Okafor aka Mr. Ibu has already released his album.
When asked why Nollywood stars are going into music, Segun Arinze told Weekend Circuit that it is all about talent. He stated that if one believes he/she has the talent to sing, then let him sing and let the public decide if him/her is good or not.
These artistes, one however notes, have not been much in the movies these days as new faces have gradually taken over and one begins to wonder if lack of roles may have ‘forced out their ‘musical talents,’ after all, necessity, they say is the mother of invention
BY ATIM IKPEME
