By Prosper Mene
Grammy-winning Nigerian star Tems has been named Executive Music Producer and Curator for the official soundtrack of Paramount Pictures’ highly anticipated fantasy film, Children of Blood and Bone.
The announcement was made by director Gina Prince-Bythewood at an exclusive trailer screening hosted by Lena Waithe at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York. With the appointment, Tems becomes the first woman to executive produce a soundtrack for a film of this magnitude.
According to Prince-Bythewood, Tems and Burna Boy were key inspirations during the screenwriting process. “I listened to Tems and Burna Boy on repeat while writing,” she said, noting that their sound was essential to shaping the film’s musical identity.
Tems’ 2023 hit “Me & U” is already featured in the movie’s official teaser. Her manager, Muyiwa Awoniyi, confirmed that the singer also recorded three brand-new original tracks specifically for the project. Burna Boy will serve as Executive Music Consultant, while other Nigerian heavyweights on the album include Ayra Starr, Fireboy DML, and BNXN
Described by Prince-Bythewood as an “epic, no-skips” body of work, the soundtrack mirrors the core themes of Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling novel — magic, destiny, resistance, and hope. It blends African rhythms with orchestral elements to reflect the world of Orïsha.
In another milestone, Ayra Starr will also make her Hollywood acting debut in the film.
Set for release in cinemas on January 15, 2027, Children of Blood and Bone is being hailed as a major cultural link between modern African music and global blockbuster cinema. With Tems leading the sound, the project is already being called one of the most important African-led movie soundtracks to date.
