Nollywood producers can’t freely use Afrobeats songs in movies anymore – Dami Twitch

Nollywood’s Use of Afrobeats Music Faces New Challenges

Nigerian filmmaker Dami Twitch has announced that Nollywood producers can no longer use Afrobeats songs in their films without prior permission from the artists or their representatives. This development stems from a growing trend of Afrobeats artists entering into publishing agreements with foreign companies.

During a recent appearance on the Afropolitan podcast, Twitch emphasized that many Nollywood producers find it increasingly difficult to afford the necessary fees to legally incorporate Afrobeats tracks into their productions. He pointed out that without financial backing from investors, securing these rights can be prohibitively expensive.

“The relationship between Nollywood and Afrobeats has become strained,” Twitch stated. “Nollywood producers can’t freely use Afrobeats songs anymore, as many artists have sold their music rights, complicating matters significantly.”

He further elaborated, “Even if an artist is my friend, they cannot grant me permission to use their song without going through the proper channels due to existing contracts. This presents a major challenge for the industry.”

Twitch expressed concern about the current dynamics between Nollywood and the Afrobeats music scene, noting that independent filmmakers, who comprise a significant portion of Nigerian producers, often lack the financial resources to include Afrobeats tracks in their works.

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