Nigeria’s influence on one of Hollywood’s most anticipated fantasy films just got even stronger.
Grammy Award winners Tems and Burna Boy have been announced as key creative contributors to the upcoming film adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone, bringing Nigerian music and storytelling to a project already deeply rooted in African culture.
Based on the bestselling novel by Nigerian-American author Tomi Adeyemi, Children of Blood and Bone tells the story of Zélie Adebola, a young woman on a mission to restore magic to the fictional kingdom of Orïsha after it was violently suppressed. Inspired by Yoruba mythology and West African history, the novel became an international bestseller and is now being adapted into a major Hollywood production directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, the acclaimed filmmaker behind The Woman King.
While many fans expected Tems and Burna Boy to contribute songs, their involvement goes even further.
Tems has been named Executive Producer of the film’s soundtrack, placing her at the centre of the movie’s musical direction. She will help shape the soundtrack, curate its sound and work with artists to create music that reflects the emotional depth and African identity of the story.
Burna Boy has also joined the production as Executive Music Consultant, a role that will see him work alongside the filmmakers to ensure the music authentically captures the spirit, culture and world of Orïsha.
Speaking about the collaboration, director Gina Prince-Bythewood explained why the two Nigerian stars were the perfect fit for the project.
“I do write to music as Lena said and create a playlist There were two songs on repeat, the first one is Try Me by Tems the second was Alone by Burna and it was so intrinsic to my writing that I was like they have to be on the soundtrack, I want Tems to curate our soundtrack, I want her to EP, she is actually the first woman to Executive Produce a soundtrack at this level which is wow, and she put together an epic soundtrack no skips whatsoever”
The film already boasts one of the most impressive Black casts assembled in recent years, featuring Regina King, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Viola Davis, Idris Elba, plus a list of stellar Nigerian stars Damson Idris, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Cynthia Erivo, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Ayra Starr and Shamz Garuba .
For Nigeria, the project represents more than another Hollywood production.
It brings together a Nigerian-American author, two of Nigeria’s biggest global music stars and Nigerian actors on one of the largest African-inspired fantasy films ever made.
As African stories continue to command global attention, Children of Blood and Bone is shaping up to be another powerful example of Nigerian creativity reaching audiences around the world—not only through acting, but also through the music, culture and storytelling that define the film itself.
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