THE USE OF MUSIC IN NIGERIAN MOVIES

ABSTRACT

At all events of our lives, music is germane and highly welcome whether in sorrow or joy; whether in life or death. From its earliest origin, music has been an essential part of film production. Whereas there is ample literature on Nollywood narratives, much has not been researched on the industry’s deliberate deployment of music for emotional and aesthetic effect. This study sought to contribute to the relative dearth of existing literature on the use of music in Nigerian movies. The movies “The Wedding Party 1 and The Wedding Party 2” were used as case points. The objective was to investigate the forms and functions of the music used in The Wedding Party 1 and The Wedding Party 2, and ascertain the interaction between music and drama in The Wedding Party 1 and The Wedding Party 2. To achieve its objective, the study adopted the content analysis method of inquiry. To this end, the movies in the study’s focus will be content-analysed based on some specified frames. The music used in The Wedding Party served different functions including establishing a physical location of the scene and even setting the time period. The music was also used to transport the audience through different social classes. It was also observed, however, that the music used in The Wedding Party does not adequately measure up to the international best practices in the use of music in movies. Among other things, the study recommended that since the use of source music mostly in The Wedding Party movie, as in several other Nollywood films, presented the greatest deal of non-conformity with international best practices, the composer must be involved in future Nollywood film productions during filming if there is to be source music which the actors may sing or dance along to. If the composer is not available to be involved in the process, then the music editor must be involved.