Tolu Obanro
Tolu Obanro | |
|---|---|
| Born | Tolulope Obanro |
| Other names | Tyanx |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Film score composer |
| Years active | 2019 — present |
| Notes | |
Tolulope Obanro known professionally as Tolu Obanro is a Nigerian film composer. He created the scores for Gangs of Lagos (2023), Jagun Jagun (2023), and A Tribe Called Judah (2023) which became the first Nollywood movie to hit ₦1 billion at the box office.
Early life and education
Tolulope Obanro was born in Ilorin, Kwara State but spent most of his childhood in Lokoja, Kogi State where he schooled at Government Science Secondary School for his secondary school. He earned a bachelor's degree in Geology from Federal University of Technology, Minna before proceeding to the National Broadcast Academy in Lagos State.[2]
Career
Tolu Obanro worked at an oil and gas company but left the industry for music.[3]
Tolu Obanro had previously worked in music production for gospel artists such as Mike Abdul, Kenny Kore and Monique before proceeding to music production and film scoring.[1]
After scoring for some YouTube videos, Obanro first feature film was Your Excellency (2019) which was followed by the series King of Boys: The Return of the King in 2021.[3]
Obanro met Niyi Akinmolayan where he began collaboration in the creation of Prophetess (2021) and Jagun Jagun (2023).[2] He has also collaborated with Jade Osiberu for Brotherhood (2022) and Gangs of Lagos (2023) and also on Funke Akindele's Battle on Buka Street (2022).[4]
Obanro became acclaimed for his scoring of A Tribe Called Judah (2023) which was the first Nollywood movie to hit ₦1 billion at the box office.[1]
Obanro cites Hans Zimmer, Ludwig Göransson and M. M. Keeravani as his major influences.[3]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards | Best Soundtrack | King of Thieves (Agesinkole) | Nominated | |
| Battle on Buka Street | Nominated | ||||
| L.I.F.E | Nominated | ||||
| Best Sound Editor | L.I.F.E | Nominated | |||
| 2025 | Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards | Best Music/Score | Lisabi: The Uprising | Nominated | |
| Seven Doors | Won | [5] | |||
| The Headies | Soundtrack of The Year | A Tribe Called Judah | Won | [6] |
Filmography
Source:[1]
- Your Excellency (2019)
- King of Boys: The Return of the King (2021)
- Progressive Tailors Club (2021)
- Prophetess (2021)
- Charge and Bail (2021)
- Hey You (2022)
- King of Thieves (2022)
- Brotherhood
- Battle on Buka Street (2022)
- Palava (2022)
- Gangs of Lagos (2023)
- Nine (2023)
- Jagun Jagun (2023)
- Ada Omo Daddy (2023)
- House of Secrets (2023)
- Mikolo (2023)
- A Tribe Called Judah (2023)
- Crossroads (2024)
Behind the scenes (2025)
References
- ^ a b c d Gambari, Luqman. "Tolu Obanro: Crafting Cinematic Soundscapes for Nigerian Blockbusters". Leadership. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ a b Akinyemi, Bioluwatife (18 September 2023). "The magnificent Nigerian Film composer called Tolu Obanro". Nigerian Tribune. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- ^ a b c Willie-Okafor, Paula (26 February 2024). "How Tolu Obanro, Nollywood's Top Composer, Crafts the Sounds of Its Biggest Hits". Open Country Mag. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ Udodiong, Inemesit (10 August 2023). "How Tolu Obanro created the original sound, music for Netflix's Jagun Jagun". Pulse Nigeria. Pulse Africa. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- ^ Television, Channels (2025-05-10). "AMVCA 2025 Awards: Full List Of Winners As Lateef Adedimeji's Lisabi Clinches Prizes". Channels Television. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
- ^ Adeyanju, Adedeji (2025-04-27). "'A Tribe Called Judah' Wins Soundtrack of the Year at 17th Headies Awards". Retrieved 2025-05-07.