Portal:African cinema/Selected score/17
'Gangs of Lagos' (2023) directed by Jáde Osiberu is a Nigerian action thriller and Prime Video’s first African original movie. The film features an original soundtrack by prolific Nollywood composer Tolu Obanro (King of Boys, Brotherhood, Battle on Buka Street, Jagun Jagun) According to Obanro:
“The choice of music was really Nigerian. It was made from the local. I had to look for suspense from the local that would also be accepted internationally.” "I had very specific theme sounds for people..for example, every time you see the bad guy, you’ll hear the clash of machetes in the theme sound.”
The film also showcases a selection of Nigerian contemporary and classic songs. They include “On Fire" (Pana Time) written and sung by Afrobeat musician Chike who plays the character Ify; Ladipoe’s “Man Already”; King Sunny Ade’s 1982 classic “Ma Jaiye Oni”; Naira Marley’s “Koleyewon”, and “Funky Fuji,” the 2005 hit by K1 De Ultimate.