The upcoming Hollywood fantasy drama Children of Blood and Bone is shaping up to be a major showcase of Nigerian talent on the global stage, with the country's stars making their mark both behind the scenes and on screen. Nigerian creatives are playing a central role in the film's production and in the music that will accompany it, reflecting the rising international weight of the country's entertainment industry.
The film brings together a star-studded cast that combines veteran actor Richard Mofe-Damijo with other Nigerian-born talents alongside international names. Among the ensemble are Cynthia Erivo and Damson Idris, who take on major roles in the project, underlining the growing presence of Nigerian and African performers in large-scale productions aimed at audiences around the world.
The film's director, Gina Prince-Bythewood, has announced Grammy-winning singer Tems as the executive producer and curator of the movie's soundtrack. The role marks Tems's first executive producing credit on a major movie soundtrack, a notable milestone in the career of one of Nigeria's most celebrated contemporary artists and a sign of her expanding influence beyond performing.
It is not the first time Tems has been tied to a major film soundtrack. She previously featured alongside Rihanna on Lift Me Up, the official soundtrack for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in 2022, a collaboration that helped raise her international profile and connected her music to blockbuster cinema on a global scale, paving the way for this new and larger role.
For Children of Blood and Bone, Tems has recorded three original songs, and the soundtrack is set to draw heavily from Afrobeats and other African-influenced sounds. The approach is intended to give the film a distinctly African sonic identity, keeping the music closely aligned with the story and the cultural roots that sit at the heart of the production.
Other Nigerian stars are also contributing to the soundtrack, including BNXN and Fireboy DML, further solidifying the country's musical presence within the global production. Their involvement adds to a lineup that places Nigerian music prominently in a film built for international audiences, spotlighting a generation of artists who have taken Afrobeats worldwide.
Grammy-winning Afrofusion star Burna Boy joins the project as an executive consultant, bringing his creative experience to help ensure the music remains true to the film's African storytelling and cultural roots. Taken together, the artists and cast attached to the project reflect how deeply Nigerian creativity is being woven into Children of Blood and Bone, both on screen and in its sound.