Nollywood Producers Can’t Freely Use Afrobeats Songs in Movies Anymore – Dami Twitch
Music video director-turned-filmmaker Dami Twitch has raised concerns over the rising cost and legal restrictions involved in using Afrobeats songs in Nollywood productions.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Afropolitan podcast, he explained that Nigerian filmmakers can no longer freely incorporate Afrobeats tracks into films without securing proper licensing agreements.
According to him, the shift is largely due to the fact that many Afrobeats artistes now operate under publishing deals managed by international rights companies, making song usage subject to formal clearance processes rather than informal permissions.
He noted that this development has placed significant financial pressure on Nollywood producers, many of whom work independently and lack the budget required to acquire music rights for film soundtracks.
Dami Twitch added that even personal relationships with artistes do not override contractual obligations, as many musicians are legally bound by agreements that transfer control of their music usage rights.
He further warned that the situation is affecting the synergy between the Nigerian film and music industries, which have historically collaborated closely to enhance storytelling and cultural expression.
He concluded that unless backed by major studios or investors, many Nollywood productions may struggle to feature popular Afrobeats songs due to escalating licensing costs and stricter intellectual property enforcement.
