Nollywood has come a long way since travelling theatres in the 1940s and the VHS cassettes of the 1990s. From Nollywood’s Netflix debut to breaking into ₦1 billion naira in sales, here are all the times Nollywood shattered glass ceilings in the last few years.
First Netflix original film and Oscar nomination
After 28 years in front of the screen, Genevieve Nnaji made her directorial debut with Lionheart, a film about a first daughter looking to save her father’s company and prove her worth. Netflix acquired and released it in 2019. The same year, Lionheart became the first Nollywood movie to be nominated for an Academy Award in the Best International Film category, until it was dropped because only ten minutes of it featured a foreign language (Igbo).
First Netflix original series
A remake of the 2003 Nollywood classic, Blood Sister, the mini-series made its way to Netflix as the first Nigerian original series on the platform. It hit the top 10 list in 30 countries and garnered a viewing of 11,070,000 hours and counting.
First Nigerian feature film to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival
In January 2023, Mami Wata began its journey at the world’s biggest indie film festival, Sundance Film Festival. The black and white fantasy thriller, directed by CJ Obasi and produced by Oge Obasi, has gone on to win the 2023 National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVB) Award for Best Nigerian Film at AMAA and 2023 Best Feature Film at the Mashariki African Film Festival. It’s also received an Oscar 2024 nomination for Best International Film.
First Nigerian Prime Video original
A storyline that mirrored the average Nigerian’s reality, love, and fight scenes that had us jumping in glee, you name it, Gangs of Lagos had it. Nollywood’s debut Prime Video original was written and directed by Jade Osiberu, starring Tobi Bakre, Adesua Etomi, Chike, Bimbo Ademoye and Tayo Faniran.
Top five on global Netflix
Editi Effiong’s revenge thriller, The Black Book, was released in September 2023 and hit Number 3 on Netflix’s global charts before the end of the year, with more than 20 million views worldwide. The film, which follows a father seeking justice for his son, gained 5.6 million views just 48 hours after its release, breaking Netflix’s Top 10 list in more than 69 countries.
Number 1 non-English film on Netflix
Directed by Moses Inwang, Blood Vessel follows six youths as they flee their towns as stowaways on a mysterious ship. The thriller is majorly in Ijaw and Niger-Delta pidgin, and it emerged number one on Netflix’s top 10 non-English titles chart, with over 8.8 million hours of viewing time and 4.4 million views.
The most streamed African original in Nigeria
After a two-year break, Chidi Mokeme returned to our screens with Shanty Town in January 2023. The Netflix original series not only had us in a chokehold for months, but it also went on to become the most streamed African original in Nigeria and the second most streamed across Africa.
The first film to gross ₦1 billion
One thing Funke Akindele will do is make a box office blockbuster. With her films already gracing the top 3 spots at the Nigerian box office, her only competition is herself.
A Tribe Called Judah made its way to cinemas on December 15, and seven days later, it hit ₦400m at the box office. Three weeks after its premiere, the movie grossed ₦1 billion in sales, becoming the first Nollywood film to achieve such success.
Nollywood has been exceptionally consistent with Netflix releases in 2023, with productions like Black Book and Jagun-Jagun making real impact. And another TV series, Olóládé (meaning “the wealthy has come”), is set to join the lineup.
We bring you exclusive info from TNC Africa on everything to know about Olóládé.
Six-part series
Olóládé, a six-part series, follows two friends — Shina, a secondary school teacher, and Lateef, an auto-mechanic — who run into sudden wealth, which they use to build a betting business. Then the consequences find them.
PulseNg
Inspired by an old Yorùbá classic?
Olóládé the series brings to mind an old Yorùbá Nollywood film by Ebun Oloyede’s Olaiya Films, titled Olóládé Mr Money, a dramatic horror about a man who did rituals to become wealthy. Whether the series borrows from the old Yorùbá film or not, its production team has collectively described it as a “homage to Nollywood TV classics”.
Language
While Yorùbá is the primary language, the writing team — headed by Lani Aisida (Skinny Girl in Transit, Rumour Has It) — brings us a relatable script that permeates ethnicity and tongues. According to the director, Adeniyi Joseph Omobulejo (TAJ), “When you watch Olóládé, you will feel a lot of nostalgia. It’s good storytelling at its core. You can expect to see relatable, well-developed characters and drama unfolding, which for me, is what good storytelling should be”.
We’re backkkkk!! Naked Tribe, you know we would never just leave you hanging like that 🌚
See you on Netflix! 😉
Synopsis: The road to quick wealth is paved with deadly consequences. Ololade, a 6-episode series, our homage to Nollywood TV classics is coming to Netflix on… pic.twitter.com/rvnZbVCOQO
The production company behind Olóládé was co-founded by Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, Daniel Aideyan and Olawale Adetula — the series’ executive producers — in 2021 to focus on making original African TV series. So far, they’ve produced A Little Black Book and My Name Is A-zed.
Production team
Olawale Adetula, Adaugo “Falcon” Uzoma and Dele Ishola are the producers of Olóládé. The consultant producer is Leye Fabusoro, with Adeniyi Joseph-Omobulejo (TAJ) as the director.
With Olóládé, we wanted to pay homage to Nollywood TV classics – pure drama, no distractions. The show launches in 10days. Set your reminder. #OloladeNetflixpic.twitter.com/jrTC58l3Ru
The cast list boasts veteran actors like Femi Adebayo, Kunle Idowu (Frank Donga), Mercy Aigbe, Jaiye Kuti, Mide-Funmi Martins and Liz Da-Silva. It also features emerging Nollywood stars like Adebowale Adebayo (Mr. Macaroni), Oluwatobi Olubiyi (Agba) and Debby Felix.
Image Source: BellaNaija
Principal photography
Principal photography commenced in the first week of January 2021 in Lagos, Nigeria, and was completed in March 2021.
Image Source: TNC Africa
Debut release
Olóládé the series will make its debut on Netflix on November 24, 2023.
Zambia made their official debut on the global streaming platform with Can You See Us? in August 2023, and this is everything we know about it.
It’s about albinism
In it, Joseph goes through a hard childhood — living with an unloving father and getting bullied because of his albinism — and finds comfort in music. This movie tells a common African story that’s rarely told on the big screens. Representation matters; stigmatisation must die.
Originally released in 2022
It was shot in 2021 and released in 2022, but most people didn’t know about Can You See Us? until Netflix picked it up. Truly, all good things get their time in the sun.
The move to Netflix
On August 27, Can You See Us? became available for viewing on Netflix. It offers a genuine storyline, clean photography and showcases young talents. Go watch, and let’s celebrate Zambia like a good neighbour.
Inspired by a true story
“Inspired by the true life of Mr John Chiti” appears at the opening of the film. John Chiti is a popular Zambia musician known for hits like Ifindingile and Ngoleya. He’s also an albino who was bullied as a kid because of his skin condition. Chiti is still alive, pushing awareness and support for albinism through his foundation. He’s credited at a co-writer on this project.
A child actor with a similar real-life story
Thambo Kaamba, who plays the younger version of Joseph in Can You See Us? is actually female. She was also born with albinism and rejected by her dad when she was small. You might’ve seen Thambo in the second season of South Africa’s Ubuntu.
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Many newcomers
The cast list is full of actors who’ve just arrived in the Zambian film industry. There are some OG names like Ruth Jule and Kondwani Elliot too, but we’re rooting for these new guys.
A self-taught director
Kenny Roc Mumba is a Zambian filmmaker who majorly directs brand commercials and documentaries. Now, his film debut is Zambia’s Netflix debut.
Hold several handkerchieves
Since it started streaming, word on the street is Can You See Us? is capable of making grown people cry.
It’s been four years since King Of Boys: The Return of The King, and while Nollywood has given us exciting shows and movies since, the king is back. Early in 2022, Kemi Adetiba announced a list of projects that are cooking in the Kemi Adetiba Visuals (KAV) kitchen, and best believe we’ve sat and waited with bated breath since then.
Here’s all we know about the first project on the lineup, To Kill A Monkey.
The casting choke
Kemi Adetiba has pulled in the Nollywood big guns for this project. From old to new Nollywood, To Kill a Monkey is said to star Chidi Mokeme, Stella Damasus, Bimbo Akintola, William Benson, Lilian Afegbai, Bucci Franklin, Michael .O. Ejoor and Damilola Adegbite.
It’s a crime thriller
Nollywood has decided to choke us with crime and action thrillers, but are we complaining? After King of Boys and The Return of The King, Kemi Adetiba makes her return with another crime thriller that promises to be better than anything we’ve ever seen.
It’s a mini-series
We’ve never been more thankful that Kemi Adetiba is giving us a series in the midst of the two-hour long movies that’ve taken over Nollywood. We get to watch To Kill a Monkey at our own pace as the story progresses nicely.
Straight to Netflix
After the madness King of Boys and King of Boys: The Return of The King did on Netflix, it’s no surprise that To Kill a Monkey joins the lineup of films heading straight there. If we say we aren’t excited to watch it as e dey hot, we’d be lying.
Multiple auditions
Kemi Adetiba is determined to give us the best of the best with To Kill A Monkey. She held three auditions to select all the best new talents to make an appearance on the show.
All roads lead to set
After the announcement and the multiple auditions that followed, To Kill A Monkey is finally off the ground. Production started in early August, and we’ve been getting sweet updates and visuals from the Bruce Lee of visuals herself. If we weren’t excited before, we definitely are now.
Set to release in 2024
We’ve been waiting for Kemi Adetiba’s return since she dropped KOB 2 in 2021, but thankfully, we don’t have to wait much longer. To Kill a Monkey is set to release some time next year. We get to see the magic she has in store for us soon.
A Netflix subscription is cool but have you tried finding movies to stream then just quitting the whole thing midway? Let’s plug you to the best Nollywood movies to stream on Netflix that are sure to keep you glued throughout the viewing duration.
“Anikulapo“
The Netflix original, produced and directed by Kunle Afolayan, premiered September 30, 2022. 11 days after its release, it went to top of the Netflix weekly global chart as the most viewed non-English Netflix original movie after garnering 8,730,000 views in less than two weeks. Anikulapo follows an overzealous traveller, Saro (Kunle Remi), who takes advantage of the power he got from a mystical bird. It stars Bimbo Ademoye, Hakeem Kae-Kazim and Sola Sobowale.
“Omo Ghetto: The Saga“
Funke Akindele’s Omo Ghetto: The Saga was initially released to cinemas in December 2020. But the gangster comedy finally arrived on Netflix on September 10, 2021 and became one of the most viewed Nollywood title on the streaming platform at the time. Omo Ghetto is about twin sisters who were displaced at birth. It raked in a total of ₦636m at the Nigerian box office and featured Eniola Badmus, Chioma Akpotha, Zubby Michael and Deyemi Okanlawon.
“Jagun Jagun“
Following King of Thieves (2022)’s hugely successful theatrical run, Femi Adebayo sent his 2023 offering, Jagun Jagun, straight to Netflix. The Yoruba epic raked in 2.1 million viewing hours after one week of release and is currently the most-watched Nollywood title on Netflix. Jagun Jagun tells the story of a young man who joins an elite army in his bid to become a powerful warrior and win a woman’s heart.
“A Naija Christmas“
Kunle Afolayan’s A Naija Christmas holds the record of the first Nigerian Christmas film to debut on Netflix. The title which stars late veteran, Rachel Oniga, premiered on December 16, 2021. A Naija Christmas is about an aging mother who is distraught because her sons have refused to get married and give her grandchildren. It stars Kunle Remi, Efa Iwara and Linda Osifo.
“King of Boys“
Kemi Adetiba’s feature film, King of Boys, was released to cinemas in October 2018. But the political thriller didn’t land on Netflix until September 20, 2019. King of Boys follows Alhaja Eniola Salami (played by Sola Sobowale) in her tussle for power in a world where men call the shots. It raked in over ₦231 million at the box office and was one of the most-watched Nollywood titles when it landed on Netflix.
“Citation“
Content creator and billionaire daughter, Temi Otedola, made her acting debut in Kunle Afolayan’s Citation,which was released exclusively on Netflix on November 6, 2020. She played a young graduate student, Moremi, who takes on a university professor, Lucien N’Dyare (Jimmy Jean-Louis), who tried to sexually abuse her. Joke Silva, Sadiq Daba and Gabriel Afolayan star in the film.
“Chief Daddy“
EbonyLife’s Chief Daddy is no doubt one of the best Nollywood movies to stream on Netflix, especially if you’re looking to have a good laugh. The star-studded film was released to the cinemas in December 2018 but arrived on Netflix on March 15, 2019. Chief Daddy revolves around family and what plays out after a wealthy patriarch suddenly passes away. Some cast members include Shaffy Bello, Rachel Oniga, Funke Akindele, Kate Henshaw, Ini Edo, among others.
“October 1“
Kunle Afolayan’s October 1 should be on your radar if you’re looking for a Nollywood title that gives a brief account of Nigerian history. It was released on October 1, 2014, to mark Nigeria’s Independence Day celebration at the time, and debuted on Netflix in March 2015. The Nollywood thriller stars Sadiq Daba, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Kehinde Bankole and Kayode Olaiya.
“Sugar Rush“
Directed by Kayode Kasum, Sugar Rush follows the story of three sisters who stumble upon a large sum of money and find themselves in the midst of a dangerous conspiracy. The comedy-action was released to Nigerian cinemas in December 2019. It premiered on the streaming platform in July 2020. Bisola Aiyeola, Adesua Etomi and Bimbo Ademoye played the three sisters.
“Isoken“
If you’re big on love and mushy feelings, then Jade Osiberu’s Isoken is one of the best Nollywood movies to stream on Netflix. It deserves your time and data. The romantic drama was initially released in June 2017 before finding its way to Netflix in December 2019. Isoken is about a 34-year-old spinster whose singledom worries her family members. Some of the cast members include Dakore Egbuson, Tina Mba and Funke Akindele.
“Oloture“
Directed by Kenneth Gyang, Oloture explores the dark world of human trafficking and sexual exploitation in Nigeria. The Nollywood title was released for cinema viewing in October 2019 and arrived on Netflix in October 2020. With Sharon Ooja playing the lead, it tells the story of a young investigative journalist named Ehi, who goes undercover as a prostitute to expose a human trafficking syndicate.
“Lionheart“
Genevieve Nnaji’s directorial debut skipped a theatrical run after it was acquired by Netflix in September 2018. The drama premiered in January 2019 to rave reviews from viewers across the world. Lionheart follows Adaeze (Genevieve Nnaji) as she takes charge of her father’s failing company despite barriers from a sexist society. Pete Edochie, Kanayo O. Kanayo and Nkem Owoh starred in the movie.
“The Bling Lagosians“
Directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters, The Bling Lagosians hit the Nigerian cinemas in 2019 and premiered on Netflix on October 11 of the same year. The comedy is about the Holloway family, who realise they’re broke but still try to keep up appearances as one of the wealthiest families in the city of Lagos. Cast members include Elvina Ibru, Denola Grey and Sharon Ooja.
“Living in Bondage: Breaking Free“
Living in Bondage: Breaking Free is the remake of the 1992 Nollywood classic. Directed by Ramsey Nouah, it was released to Nigerian cinemas in November 2019 and debuted on Netflix in May 2020. It follows the life of an ambitious young man who gets involved with the occult in his bid to become wealthy. Jide Kene Achufusi, Enyinna Nwigwe and Shawn Faqua are featured in the film.
“Elesin Oba“
Ebonylife’s Elesin Oba is an adaptation of Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka’s 1975 play, Death and the King’s Horseman.The Yoruba language film premiered exclusively on Netflix on September 10, 2020. In it, the titular character had to commit ritual suicide to aid the late king’s passage to the afterlife. Shaffy Bello, Deyemi Okanlanwon and Jide Kosoko feature.
“Anikulapo: The Rise of The Spectre”
Director Kunle Afolayan kicked off 2024 with the four-part series of his hugely successful 2022 Netflix Original film, Anikulapo.
In Anikulapo: Rise of The Spectre, Saro is given a second chance at life but he’s confronted with a daunting debt owed to the afterlife. He’s tasked to return to Earth and undo the resurrection of the 20 souls he had once brought back to life.
Meanwhile, the Oyo kingdom suffers a series of calamities due to the Akala’s curse, with the oracle prescribing Arolake’s return as the only solution.
The series debuted on Netflix in March 2024. Kunle Remi, Bimbo Ademoye, and Sola Sobowale are joined by new cast members like Owobo Ogunde, Layi Wasabi, and Lateef Adedimeji, among others. It’s available to stream on Netflix.
“Shanty Town”
If you loved Jade Osiberu’s Gangs of Lagos or Ebonylife’s Oloture, this six-part series released in January 2023 will get you hooked from start to finish. Chidi Mokeme makes an epic Nollywood comeback alongside veterans like Sola Sobowale, Nse Ikpe Etim, and played Scar; a scary underworld lord. Shanty Town explores the lives of sex workers who try to escape the grip of a notorious kingpin who answers to powerful politicians.
“A Sunday Affair”
Dubbed the Valentine Day’s movie of 2023, A Sunday Affair stars two of Nollywood’s most iconic actresses, Nse Ikpe-Etim and Dakore Akande. The powerhouses cast as best friends, Uche and Toyin, fall in love with the same man, and it’s a downward spiral from there that makes for gripping TV. From the cheesy romance to the dramatic chaos, it has all the ingredients to make you blush.
“Ayinla”
If you grew up in a Yoruba home or have grandparents who love music, you’ll have heard a song or two from the Apala musician, Ayinla Omowura. In case you don’t know, there’s a movie biopic about the late musician made by legendary filmmaker, Tunde Kelani.
Released in 2021, Ayinla follows the life of the famed Apala musician until his untimely death at the hands of his manager. Lateef Adedimeji plays the titular character with support from Ade Laoye, Kunle Afolayan and Mr Macaroni.
“Adire”
If you loved Kehinde Bankole in Sista, Adire should be on your Netflix binge list. Released in January 2023, the movie tells a story of redemption, resilience, and self-discovery.
It follows the life of a young woman whose hopes of becoming a famous lingerie designer are dashed by the harsh realities of her life as a sex worker. As Adire dares to break free from the chains of her past, she also embarks on an inspiring journey of faith, courage, and empowerment. Femi Branch, Ifeanyi Kalu, and Mama Rainbow, among others, star in the movie.
“Amina”
This 2021 period drama portrays the events that led to the warrior queen Amina of Zazzau (modern day Zaria)’s ascension to the throne of her father’s empire. Lucy Ameh played the titular character. The movie also stars Ali Nuhu, Clarion Chukwura, Usman Tijani, among others.
“Oloture: The Journey”
Ebonylife has revisited its critically acclaimed 2019 drama, Oloture, for a series which premiered on Netflix in June 2024. The series returns with some familiar faces and new cast members. Sharon Ooja reprises her role as Ehi (an undercover journalist), while Bucci Franklin and Stan Nze join as new cast members.
“Blood Sisters”
Want to see the legendary Kate Henshaw play a bougie, super strict mum who gives zero shits about her children’s happiness? Then Blood Sisters should be on your radar.
Released in May 2020, the series tells the story of two best friends Sarah and Kemi as they prepare for the former’s grand wedding with her wealthy and belligerent fiancé Kola. What should be a dream wedding evolves into a nightmare when, a few moments into the wedding, Kemi walks in on Kola strangling Sarah. She intervenes and is beaten up, too. While trying to defend Sarah and herself, she accidentally kills Kola. The rest of the series follows Kemi and Sarah as they strive to cover their sordid deeds. Nancy Isime, Ini Dima-Okojie, and Deyemi Okanlawon, among others, are featured.
“Namaste Wahala”
You know how the fashion in Bridgerton is so fire? This might be the closest Nollywood movie to that because it combines the richness of Indian and Nigerian cultures.
Released in 2020, Namaste Wahala follows the budding romance between a Nigerian woman and an Indian man, leading to a charming and heartwarming tale of love, family, and acceptance. It’s a delightful romantic comedy that celebrates love across cultural boundaries. Ini Dima-Okojie plays the lead, with support from Richard Mofe-Damijo, Joke Silva, and Osas Ighodaro, among others.
“The Royal Hibiscus Hotel”
If you’re a fan of Nollywood romcoms, you’ll love The Royal Hibiscus Hotel. Released in 2017, the Ebonylife production tells a charming love story as Ope, a talented London chef, navigates the challenges of reviving her parents’ struggling hotel. She soon encounters a guest who turns out to be her prince charming. Zainab Balogun, Kenneth Okolie, Jide Kososo, and others feature in this film.
“Áfàméfùnà”
Got questions about the workings of the Igbo apprenticeship system? Well, you’re in luck. This Kayode Kasumu-directed movie is the first feature-length film on the Igbo apprenticeship system and how it revitalized the community’s economy.
It follows the story of Áfàméfùnà, a young apprentice who was brought in for questioning following the death of his friend Paulo. Through flashback, viewers are taken on a journey that shows how both friends navigated the world of Igbo apprenticeship in Nigeria under Odogwu. Things were going smooth between the friends until Odogwu decided to settle Áfàméfùnà before Paulo. Jide Kene Achufusi, Segun Arinze, Eso Dike, Stan Nze, among others star in this movie.
“Tokunbo”
If you enjoyed watching Nollywood action flicks like Brotherhood and Gangs of Lagos, Tokunbo deserves your screen time. Released in August 2024, the Ramsey Nouah directed action drama explores themes of kidnapping, political mobs, and survival. It follows the story of an ex-car smuggler racing against time to deliver a kidnapped girl who happens to be the daughter of a high profile government official. Gideon Okeke, Adunni Ade, Darasimi Nnadi,among others star in the movie.
In the last decade, we’ve seen exceptional growth in Nollywood. From Fifty, Wedding Party,Lionheart, Isoken and King of Boys to Blood Sisters, Shanty Town, Far From Home and Anikulapo, it’s safe to say the industry has its foot on our necks and isn’t letting up anytime soon.
Lately, Nollywood has taken the action thriller genre and done with it as it wishes. In 2023 alone, we’ve had Gangs of Lagos, Almajiri, The Trade and Jagun Jagun, with more such movies in the pipeline.
Written and directed by Editi Effiong, The Black Book might still be in the works, but here’s all we know about the star-studded action thriller.
The director’s feature-length debut
Although he’s known for producing big-name projects like Up North, Day of Destiny and The Set Up, this is Editi Effiong’s first attempt at directing a feature-length film. His debut was born out of necessity. The filmmakers Editi approached couldn’t commit to working exclusively on his project for a year.
The Netflix original title took two years to write, a year of pre-production and 13 months to film.
It’s a million-dollar baby
When Seyi Vibez sang Million Dollar Baby, he must’ve had The Black Book in mind. Co-written by Bukunmi Ajakiye, produced by Lala Akindoju and shot by Yinka Edward, the action thriller is the first Nollywood film to be shot on a million-dollar budget.
This budget covered the cost of guns, props, security, shipping generators to Tarkwa Bay for night shooting, and hiring professionals from six different countries, including the UK, the US and South Africa.
In the movie, a father has to fall back on his military training to get justice for his son who was killed by a group of corrupt policemen. Sound familiar?
The Black Book stars Ikechukwu Onunaku, Alex Usifo Omiagbo, Kelechi Udegbe, Denola Grey, Ireti Doyle, Shaffy Bello, Patrick Doyle, Bimbo Manuel, Norbert Young, Taiwo Ajai Lycett, Asabe Madaki and Olumide Oworu. Richard Mofe-DamijoplaysPaul Edima, the father, a part he spent a year preparing for, following a strict diet and working out regularly.
RMD dedicated 13 months
In Nollywood, more often than not, actors are allowed to work on multiple projects at the same time. But for The Black Book, Richard Mofe Damijo had to reject other projects and focus his time and energy on it. This might have something to do with the year-long preparation mentioned earlier.
My initial plan was to wait till the weekend, get cozy and enjoy Ijakumo: The Born Again Stripper, a movie that’s brought out the vicious critics in its viewers. But I had zero self-control and bowed to internet pressure. I’d rather have nothing to watch on the weekend than have the whole experience spoiled by Twitter comments. So I ran to Netflix and hit play.
The movie starts with drums and the voices of a group of Ifá women dressed in white, with beads to match, singing in remembrance of a late fellow Ifá initiate.
Enters someone with dreads so long, she has a person packing it for her. I start to ask who this Damien Marley wannabe is. Turns out it’s just Asabi (Toyin Abraham). She sits and the Ifá women welcome her. I’m quite surprised these Nigerian mamas didn’t even comment her hair isn’t part of their culture. Also, I’ve never seen a rasta with Yoruba tribal marks before. This is a discovery.
She enters a room and stands in front of a calendar that tells you it’s a funeral. She stares at it and leaves. On a day she’s allowed to be vulnerable, she chose stoicism.
Next, she’s at what appears to be her mother’s tombstone. She puts one 2006-ass rubber flower on it. No one’s mad at it sha. The dead can’t touch flowers, and real flowers will wither anyways.
The title card quickly comes and goes. Asabi is now on a mountain, touching the rock and having flashbacks of her younger self lying on the same mountain, in pain and covered in blood.
I still don’t understand what’s going on, but she’s now in her house, looking at data of different babes. I’m thinking two things:
She’s a pimp
She’s into women
It turns out she’s neither. But she has her eyes on one of the girls — a Sharon from Uganda. And even though Asabi’s workers urged her to pick another babe, Sharon is her choice for an extraction mission. This is a stressful scene. But Asabi money has to waste, why not hire from Uganda?
Next scene is in a church. Singing and dancing, everywhere. Then the pastor, Olujide (Kunle Remi), comes to the altar to scam believers of their dollars.
After service, Mary (Lolade Okusanya), the church’s chorister, comes to seek financial help, but Pastor Olajide turns her to God for support. Mo’fucker wants to eat all the dollars alone. Smh.
Then, we find out that Jide is a pastor by day, crime syndicate member by night. And… the syndicate is his church’s investor.
What’s this world coming to?
He faces the syndicate.
He’s spending their money, buying properties, but he explains he’s not stealing. They aren’t having it.
The syndicate boss (act by Bimbo Akintola) vexes, reminds Jide she’s his god and blasphemy won’t be allowed. But what’s the effect of her Scorpion-from-Mortal-Kombat-ass voice? Not even Jide in her presence is afraid. Lol.
Pastor Jide, angry at the elders still talking to him like he hasn’t leveled up from the Jide that came from Abeokuta, heads straight to the strip club to calm his nerves. He sees Sharon with a big bum bum — yes, the same Sharon that Asabi (from the beginning) chose — and he’ll do anything to get her.
Jide starts to force himself on her, and when she won’t let him have his way, he removes her masks but mistakes her for Mary, his church choir mistress. The creep pastor frightens the babe off. He heads home with that horniness and delivers a hot fok to Mummy G.O.
Another day, another morning, another direction. In typical Nigerian man fashion, he starts being nice to Mary.
Still confusing her for Sharon.
Next, we find out what Asabi and Sharon are up to. The mission is to get Sharon close to Jide and steal a thumb drive from him.
While Jide keeps drowning in lust for Sharon, Asabi remembers her late herbalist father and how he fortified her before he died at the beginning of the film — remember the Ifa ceremony? She also flashes back to the nice romance she shared with Jide before his pastor days, how he left her after tasting small money.
Jide’s at the strip club with Sharon again, but this time, Sharon will do anything to get his thumb drive. She did it. I don’t know how, but the thought I hold is they’ve been inside each other, so why can’t she be inside his pockets? Anyways, she presented the drive to Asabi, and it turned out to be the wrong one.
Jide a.k.a. always on the road, is already at the syndicate’s meeting house. Warmer temperament from their last meeting. Money is rolling in; everyone’s happy.
Surprisingly, Sharon calls Jide that afternoon for hot knacks and insists it must be in his house. Though he’s a married man, the mf is not the type to turn down sex.
After rounds of satisfying coital meet-and-greet, Sharon shares a bit of her life trajectory. Jide Jendo recollects his history with Asabi; he broke her heart, poisoned her and even left her for dead… isn’t he insane?
His syndicate boss’ call snaps him out of his memory lane. He rushes out, leaving Sharon alone at his home. She finally gets what she came for; the real thumb drive.
Been a long time coming.
Asabi discovers billions of dollars in Jide’s thumb drive and turns Robin Hood, distributing the money to people Jide and the syndicate have duped. Sharon gets paid and plans to return to Uganda. But only an unserious person will think they’ll escape unscathed.
Burning with anger, Asabi remembers her dad once more, and he tells her she’s destined to have only one child. Because she wasted her one child on Jide, she vows revenge.
In other words, the thumb drive isn’t the end of the fight. She confronts Jide at the funeral of one of his syndicate members.
He insults her and reminds her that her face looks like she fought a lion. Asabi’s response was that she’s proud of her tribal marks (she should’ve stopped here), culture, heritage and Nigeria. I’m lost. How did this become a patriots and custodian matter?
The statements Asabi made that she’s behind Jide’s successes haunt him in his sleep. He wakes up just in time his boss calls to tell him the syndicate has been exposed, and she’s fleeing.
Without caring to wake his wife who’s sleeping beside him, Jide speeds to his backyard and escapes police arrest on a boat.
Jide still thinks Mary is Sharon, so he and the syndicate kidnap and torture the poor church girl for the stolen drive. He’s about to shoot her when Wale, Jide’s younger brother, calls to tell him he has the real culprit.
While in the booth of Wale’s car, on the way to Jide’s location, Sharon miraculously manages to untie herself and texts Asabi that she’s been held hostage. Wale didn’t collect her phone? Didn’t tie her hands tightly? This movie plot keeps losing me.
At the kidnapping lair, Mary meets Sharon, the troublemaker that has complicated her life. Then it gets quickly confusing for the viewers. What’s this sudden family reunion? How did these ladies become blood sisters? What’s that Ugandan accent? Writers of this movie, how?
I was still thinking how that’s possible when Asabi’s men burst the door open with a grenade. BOOM!
Gunfight ensues; men flying up and down, left and right.
See Jide and Wale in action. Jide is many things: a pastor, whore, murderer, crime syndicate member and fighter too.
Finally it’s time, Jide and Asabi meet for their last face-off. He isn’t here for long talk, so he shoots her straight. But odeshi. Asabi controls the bullets and turns them back to paralyse him, eventually causing his death. E be juju, e be things.
But the display I find the maddest, that bursts my head is when she sends Wale floating in the air then tears him into cosmic dust.
Unfortunately, the innocent Mary dies at the scene.
The movie ends with Asabi and her bodyguard on her favourite mountain top. And honestly, it’s giving budget Eniola Salami and Ade Tiger. Now that her enemies are destroyed, is Asabi satisfied or is there another conquest coming?
Hmm.. some questions you should be asking too.
Why’s there “born again stripper” in the movie title?
Any reason Asabi has dada that’s longer than wire for drying clothes?
She’s always riding in black SUV and handing out crisp naira notes. What’s her actual job aside from being an ex-babalawo’s daughter?
Is her hair stylist in Lagos?
Does the syndicate have spiritual powers? Their meetings have people carrying calabashes and give shrine vibes, so how come they didn’t go spiritual when their members started dying? What was the “disease” sef?
Not exactly a question, but Sharon’s overacting when she eventually found the thumb drive killed my brain.
How did Asabi’s bodyguard know with just one look that the thumb drive he got was empty?
This may just be me, but Jide is supposedly the pastor of a mega church. How come he doesn’t even try to preserve his reputation? Guy whipped off his mask because he saw his church member. What if she decided to leak his secret? What kind of fake pastor talks explicitly so casually over the phone?
Why did Asabi sacrifice her men in the last fight when aunty knows she has odeshi?
ATTENTION.
We’re looking forward to receiving your contribution.
It’s hard to watch the new season of Young, Famous & Africanand not get drawn into the will-they-won’t-they love triangle between Andile, his on-again-off-again boo, Sebabatso, and his baby mama/BFF, Rosette.
Rosette, Andile and Sebabatso
Rosette shows up in season two as this sleek, sophisticated chick who’s here to start some hot drama. While Andile can’t seem to figure out if she’s really flirting with him or joking, it’s clear that Rosette wants this man back even though he’s figuring out his relationship with Sebabatso.
Andile and Rosette from back in the day
Here are all the times Rosette stylishly (and sometimes, directly) shot her shot at Andile this season.
The time she reminded Andile that she’s a ten
Andile pulled up in episode six, trying to smoothen things between Rosette and Sebabatso, but our girl had other plans.
Ghen! Ghen!
She started the peace talks by giggling, batting her eyelashes and flirting with Andile. Who else tells their ex, “Can you see how good my makeup is? I look hot, but you don’t want me?” It might’ve sounded like a joke, but the good sis was reminding Andile she’s not just a catch but a catch that’s also available for him to snatch. Shooting shots takes finesse, and Rosette is clearly related to Pheelz because her joke was a smooth way of laying the groundwork for her arrow of hot romance.
The time she told Andile she’s very very single
Still on a mission to turn Andile’s truce meeting into a firing squad of romantic shots, Rosette quickly said, “No” when he asked if she was dating anyone. And like the expert markswoman she is, Rosette didn’t just stop there; she told him point blank that she was trying to win him back. See, once a girl clears her roster of toasters and decides to focus on you, bro, it’s about to go down.
Dear Andile, clean your glasses and read the signs; Rosette wants to eat you like hot agege bread.
The time she was shooting shots in the middle of Luis and Swanky’s drama
Right in the middle of the Luis, Swanky and Zari’s eggs drama, Rosette made it her mission to fire some light shots at Andile. We can’t help but stan a focused queen who can multitask — squashing beef while making moves on her ex-man.
After a brief meeting to intervene between Luis and Swanky, Andile kissed Rosette’s hands goodbye. Only for her to touch her lips, saying, “Let’s kiss here”. Wahala.
De-Nile is a river in Egypt!!
Andile’s house must be on denial street because how isn’t he seeing what this babe is doing?
The time Luis called her out for being messy, but she responded with more shots
Andile was still unsure whether or not Rosette was serious when Luis called her out that he knew what she was doing.
Pew! Pew! Pew!
To shoot effective shots, you need to be shameless, and our queen owns everything with her chest, telling everyone at the table she’s just trying to get back into Andile’s heart. Closed mouths don’t get fed, so if there’s one thing Rosette will do, it’s open her mouth and say what she wants with her full chest.
The time she asked him to get back together and forget everyone else
We’ve saved the best for last.
Bombastic side eye! Criminal-offensive side eye!
At the end of the drama-filled season, Andile visited Rosette in episode eight to ask how she’d feel if he got back together with Sebabatso. Just when it seemed like all hope was lost for our girl and she’d accepted defeat, she struck with another shot, asking Andile to get back with her to end all the drama between her and Sebabatso. Sis, how will getting back with you end the drama?
WAHALA
We have to give it to Rosette for being resilient and trying her luck even in the face of defeat.
While we wait for Netflix to confirm if we’re getting a new season of Young, Famous & African, we’ll be following all the hot drama on Andile, Rosette and Sebabatso’s social media pages. We’re always here for hot drama.
After giving us the epic line, “I burn for you”, Netflix’s Bridgertonis back with another interracial couple (Shonda Rhimes, I know what you are) for us to root for.
Taking us back in time, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story sheds some light on the love story between King George III and Queen Charlotte, who were side characters in the first and second seasons of Bridgerton. The show opens with a message that it’s not entirely factual, so we couldn’t help but do some digging to find out where exactly the writers added Maggi and salt. Here’s what we found out.
Was Queen Charlotte biracial?
Source: Netflix
On the show, Charlotte’s arrival into British court is groundbreaking, bringing about the Great Experiment, which saw her mother-in-law, Princess Augusta, introduce other black people into court. While this storyline is a big slay for black people, no historical evidence supports the gist that Queen Charlotte was black or biracial.
That being said, art historian, Mario De Valdes y Cocom, who started studying portraits of the late Queen in 1967, believed she was indeed biracial and of Portuguese descent. If this is true, it means our good sis, Meghan, wasn’t the first melanated royal to step foot in Buckingham Palace.
How did Charlotte arrive from Germany speaking English with a British accent?
Source: Zikoko Memes
Last I checked, German was the official language in Germany, so how did a German princess show up in England spitting in Adele’s accent? The show obviously took creative liberties as the real Queen Charlotte had to learn English and the customs of her new country.
Why did King George marry Queen Charlotte?
Source: Netflix
On the show, we hear the young Charlotte ask her brother why the King of England would want to marry an unknown princess like her.
The truth is King George didn’t have plenty of fish in his marriage sea. The King had to marry a princess, and there were none in England then. He also had to marry a Protestant, which meant choosing from Germany or Scandinavia. The King himself is also of German descent, with his great-grandfather being German. So, sis, this man was just marrying from his village. That’s all.
Did the King and Queen marry immediately?
Source: Netflix
Yes, King George and Queen Charlotte married just six hours after meeting for the first time on September 8, 1761. But it wasn’t because of love-at-first-sight. Their families had already signed off on the marriage ahead of their meeting. The future Queen was 17 (She should’ve been writing JAMB, to be honest), while King George was 22.
We’ve already established that the Great Experiment was created to entertain us messy bitches who live for drama. Unfortunately for Lady Danbury stans, her story is as accurate as Father Christmas’s. However, England did have a relationship with Lady Danbury’s country, Sierra Leone, and it has to do with slavery.
One of the saddest plotlines of Queen Charlotte happens to be true. Historians say King George battled with an unnamed mental illness throughout his reign, from 1788 to 1789 and again in 1801. It was so bad, he was nicknamed the Mad King. King George was eventually declared unfit to rule in 1810, allowing his eldest son, George IV, to act as Prince Regent from 1811.
Wait, so Queen Charlotte actually had 15 children?
Source: Zikoko Memes
Queen Charlotte had not one, not two, but 15 children. She had nine sons and six daughters, but their two youngest sons died at ages one and four. Despite having all these children, the King and Queen struggled for heirs. Two of their daughters never got married, while most of their sons focused on scoring away matches, making the King and Queen’s grandchildren unfit for the throne. This changed when their son, Prince Edward, and his wife, Princess Victoria, welcomed their daughter, Alexandrina Victoria, or simply Queen Victoria.
An interesting connection between King George and Queen Charlotte and Harry and Meghan
Source: The Times
As shown in the series, King George III bought Buckingham House, which later became the famous Buckingham Palace, as a gift for his wife in 1762. While living in the palace, the couple commissioned the construction of Frogmore Cottage for quick summer getaways (their own private Ilashe without the ocean). Guess who rented the cottage while living in the UK? Yes, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. If you look at it, King George and Queen Charlotte were Harry and Meghan’s original landlord and landlady.
