Ghanaian Musicians Should Collaborate More With the Movie Industry – Actor Willie Chembez
In a recent interview on Class Extra Show with Zeal Nana Kweku Bliss, Ghanaian actor and creative Willie Chembez shared powerful observations from his visit to Nigeria, insights he believes can transform Ghana’s music and film industries.
Willie Chembez explained that during his time at the AFRIFF in Nigeria, he witnessed firsthand how deeply intertwined the Nigerian movie and music industries have become. One moment that stood out to him was the screening of a movie executive produced by global star Burna Boy. According to Willie Chembez, the film didn’t just feature Burna Boy’s songs, it showcased them so prominently that the audience became even more connected to the music. The synergy between visuals and sound created a renewed love for his work right there in the cinema.
He recalled that Ghana’s own KiDi once achieved something similar, with his music playing a major role in amplifying the impact of a film. Yet, Chembez believes Ghana as a whole has not fully tapped into this powerful collaboration between music and filmmaking. To him, merging the two worlds is not just creative; it is strategic.
He stressed that musicians should see beyond producing songs purely for listening. They should begin venturing into movies, either by acting, producing, or licensing their songs for film projects. This shift, he emphasized, would allow Ghanaian music to break out of its geographical boundaries and travel across new cultural and international spaces.
Using Burna Boy as an example, Willie Chembez highlighted how the Nigerian superstar once spent significant time in Ghana while building his music career. Today, Burna Boy’s global success is a testament to the power of cross-industry collaboration, cultural exchange, and strategic positioning. He believes Ghanaian musicians can adopt similar approaches by partnering with filmmakers to broaden their reach.
The actor is convinced that when the relationship between music and film is well managed, the result will be phenomenal, impacting not just fan bases but entire creative ecosystems. This, he said, is the pathway to pushing Ghanaian art beyond borders.
