Love in the Era of Afrobeats – How “Anikulapo” Reframed Romance

In Anikulapo, Kunle Afolayan doesn’t just tell a love story. He tells a cautionary tale wrapped in Yoruba myth and cosmic consequence. The Netflix-backed period piece stars Kunle Remi and Bimbo Ademoye, whose romance and betrayal speak to age-old themes—power, love, and consequence.

What’s fascinating is the blend of indigenous folklore with universal emotions. The story could be Shakespearean, but it is unmistakably Nigerian. This is a reminder to content marketers: specificity sells. Afrobeats may dominate the airwaves, but cultural depth carries emotional weight.

It’s also a lesson in world-building. The village, the costumes, the incantations—all create a world that feels lived in. For Nollywood to expand its global reach, I submit that we don’t need more Hollywood gloss—we need more rooted imagination.