Since its founding, the thriving Nigerian film industry, known as Nollywood, has given birth to many gifted performers. Nonetheless, a few cinema stars embarked on unsuccessful music careers in an attempt to broaden their creative horizons.

Despite releasing a few successful songs, several actors were unable to sustain their success and did not succeed in the music industry.

Here are Nollywood stars who had unsuccessful music careers.

1. Genevieve Nnaji

Nnaji works as a director, producer, and actress. “One Logologo Line,” her debut album, was published in 2004. Her admirers were dancing to the smash song “No More,” which was produced by the project.

But that was the only opportunity she had to showcase her musical abilities to her moviegoers before that part of her career faded away.

2. Jim Iyke

Another well-known illustration is Jim Iyke. Iyke, whose real name is James Ikechukwu Esomugha, started acting in 1998 and has been in numerous Nollywood productions. He is the creator of his record company, Untamed Records.

Rap is Iyke’s genre of choice, and his song “Who Am I?” included some 2Baba. However, the project didn’t do well commercially or solidify him as a legitimate recording artist.

Nkem Owoh, sometimes known as Osuofia, is a well-known actor and comedian. The legendary movie star debuted as an actor in the 1987 masterpiece “Things Fall Apart” and has since starred in numerous other films.

Another well-known performance by Owoh is the song “I Go Chop Your Dollar,” which talks about advance fee theft. The popular song was used in the movie “The Master,” in which Owoh portrays a con artist. Another hit song, “Know Me When I’m Poor, Not When I Am Rich,” was also recorded by him.

Nevertheless, Owoh made an effort to amuse his listeners after performing both songs.

4. Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde

In 1995, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde made her screen debut in Nigeria. With the publication of her album “Gba” in 2005, the filmmaker launched her musical career.

Hit songs like “Naija Lowa” and “The Things You Do To Me” were produced by the project. Even after taking a long break from the music industry, Jalade-Ekeinde would subsequently disclose that she continues to receive royalties from her songs in the form of money.

5. Tonto Dikeh

The tracks “Hi,” “Itz Ova,” with Snypa, and “Crazically Fit,” featuring Terry G, marked Tonto Dikeh’s musical debut. D’banj signed the actress to DB Records in June 2014. Similar to her peers, Dikeh’s musical endeavors were met with disapproval.

She was criticized for not having a powerful enough voice to compete with other singers in Nigeria’s congested music scene. Later, in March 2015, the actress declared her separation with the record label.

6. Charles Okocha

Known affectionately as Igwe 2Pac, Charles Okocha has appeared in hundreds of Nollywood productions. He was the 2019 Vskit Voice Competition winner.

Okocha just dropped a song called “We Asaaaaa,” which is pronounced as “We Outside.” The song comes after his last single, “Am O Shine.” Music fans still haven’t taken notice of him despite his tracks.

7. Dakore Egbuson-Akande

Another well-known Nollywood actress who attempted to break through as a singer is Dakore Egbuson-Akande. Akande performed a song called “Don’t Make Me” to showcase her vocal abilities.

The actress’s debut album, “Dakorious,” was published in 2009. On the project, Akande collaborated with Cobhams Asuquo, one of Nigeria’s top producers. But the effort didn’t have a big enough impact. Most people considered the actress’s attempt at music to be an unsuccessful side project from her acting career.

8. Stella Damasus

In 1992, Stella Damasus made her screen debut in the Nigerian film industry with the role of “Abused.” Later, once Emem Isong produced her second film, “Breaking Point,” she rose to fame. On the other hand, the movie star began her career as a singer and performed in studio sessions at Lagos’ Klink Studios.

Before becoming G-factor, Damasus was a member of the band Synergy. Her late spouse, Jaiye Aboderin, started the band. Although one of her well-known songs is “Love Me Quick,” Damasus’s admirers appear to enjoy seeing her in motion pictures rather than live.

9. Adesua Etomi

Adesua Etomi is an entrepreneur and actor from Nigeria.In 2014, she made her cinematic debut in “Knocking on Heaven’s Door.”She has since starred in numerous movies and won numerous accolades.

Adesua, the singer and actor Banky W’s wife, released her debut single, “So Natural,” in February 2022. She hasn’t released another project since then.

10. Patience Ozokwo

“National Moi Moi,” an album released by Ozokwor, affectionately known as Mama G, marked the pinnacle of her career. At the time, the body of work played a significant role in popular music. Actors Charles Awurum and Dikeh made brief appearances in it.

As she came to the conclusion of her brief career as a musician, the effort met with little success.