Afrobeats songs in Nollywood movies: Producers face rising music rights costs as global deals reshape industry

|By Queen Banigo – Afrobeats songs in Nollywood movies are becoming harder to use as filmmakers face rising licensing restrictions. Music video director-turned-filmmaker, Dami Twitch, has raised concerns about the growing cost of securing music rights in the Nigerian film industry.

He explained that Afrobeats songs in Nollywood movies can no longer be freely added without formal permission. According to him, many Afrobeats artists now operate under international publishing agreements that limit direct clearance from artists.

Twitch made this known during a recent episode of the Afropolitan podcast. He said the shift has created a financial burden for independent producers.

As a result, Afrobeats songs in Nollywood movies are increasingly tied to expensive legal processes. He noted that only producers backed by major investors or studios can often afford the required fees.

Furthermore, he explained that even personal relationships with artists do not guarantee access. Contracts signed with foreign companies now control how Afrobeats songs in Nollywood movies are licensed.

“Even if the artist is my friend, they can’t give me permission to use their song freely because they have already entered a contract,” he said.

In addition, he warned that the collaboration between Nollywood and Afrobeats is now in a difficult phase. Many filmmakers, especially independent ones, are being priced out of using popular soundtracks.

Consequently, Afrobeats songs in Nollywood movies are becoming less common, which may affect storytelling and audience experience. Industry observers believe this could push filmmakers to explore original scores or alternative licensing models.

However, some stakeholders argue that the development could also improve structure in the creative industry, ensuring artists and rights holders are fairly compensated.

For now, producers continue to navigate rising costs while trying to maintain the cultural blend between film and music.