Music video director and filmmaker Dami Twitch has shed light on the growing challenges Nollywood producers face when trying to use popular Afrobeats songs in their films, saying the industry can no longer rely on informal arrangements or personal relationships with artistes to secure music rights.
Speaking during a recent episode of the Afropolitan podcast, which gained traction online over the weekend, Twitch explained that changes in the business structure of the music industry have made licensing Afrobeats songs more complex and significantly more expensive for filmmakers.
According to him, many leading Afrobeats artistes have entered publishing and distribution agreements with international companies, limiting their direct control over their music catalogues. As a result, filmmakers seeking to feature such songs in their productions must now navigate formal licensing procedures and meet financial demands that are often beyond the reach of independent producers.
“I think because people have sold their song already. So it gets to a point where I want to use this song for my film, for example, but I can’t afford it because they’ve signed some distribution deal or some publishing deal with some company somewhere and you can’t even have a conversation,” he said.
Twitch noted that the development has created a significant barrier for many Nollywood filmmakers, particularly those working without the support of major studios or external investors.
He explained that in the past, filmmakers could sometimes leverage personal relationships with musicians to secure permission to use songs. However, that option has become increasingly difficult because contractual agreements often place ownership and licensing decisions in the hands of third-party companies.
“Even if the person is my friend. They’ve literally gotten an advance for something. So that is a major factor in our problems because this artist don’t own the songs,” he said.
The filmmaker further observed that the evolving commercial landscape surrounding music rights has created a disconnect between two of Nigeria’s biggest creative industries—Nollywood and Afrobeats. While both sectors continue to enjoy global recognition, he believes the cost of licensing music is making collaborations more difficult for smaller film productions.
“So that collaboration for now is at a very weird place. Not until if a big studio comes to support your film, you might be able to afford these songs,” he added.
According to Twitch, the challenge is particularly severe for independent filmmakers, many of whom operate on tight budgets and cannot absorb the high costs associated with securing music rights legally.
“But if you are mostly independent filmmakers, yes. So the independency won’t let us afford these things,” he said.
His comments have sparked conversations about the future relationship between Nigeria’s film and music industries, especially as both sectors become increasingly integrated into the global entertainment market. Industry observers note that while international publishing and distribution deals provide financial benefits and wider exposure for artistes, they can also make access to music more difficult for local creatives operating with limited resources.
As Afrobeats continues its rise on the global stage and music rights become more commercially valuable, filmmakers may increasingly have to explore alternative soundtracks, negotiate larger budgets, or seek stronger investment partnerships to secure the songs they want for their productions.