Nollywood actress and director Funke Akindele recently spoke about how singer D’banj helped her continue her successful Jenifa character. At a celebration for D’banj’s 20th anniversary in entertainment, Akindele revealed how D’banj motivated her to keep the Jenifa brand going.
They met at a club, and D’banj, a big fan of Jenifa, asked if there would be more movies.
Akindele was surprised because she hadn’t planned on making more. D’banj saw the potential in Jenifa and convinced Akindele it could be very profitable. To show his support, D’banj even gave her money to make new Jenifa movies. This led to the creation of “The Return of Jenifa,” a big hit that brought the character back to life.
She said,
“After the big break with Jenifa, everybody loved Jenifa so much, I was out there and everyone was celebrating me so much. I was invited to a club where I met Dbanj for the first time and he gave me his number and inquired if there is a sequence to Jenifa, I told him No and he questioned why as he noted how Jenifa is a brand I can feast on for the rest of my life.
“He told me that when I have a brand, you feed on the brand, you milk the brand very well and make money out of it. Out of his pocket, he gave me money and said I should go write another Jenifa and he supports me with the money.”
Akindele didn’t just thank D’banj; she showered him with praise! She called him more than just a musician – he’s a whole movement! She explained how his music has made countless people happy and said his influence will definitely last a long time.
“Dbanj you’re more than just a musician, you’re a movement! Your music has brought joy to our hearts, and your legacy will live on forever,” Akindele affirmed.
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