By Juliet Ebirim

Long before Afrobeats became a global musical force, dominating airwaves and streaming charts, a groundbreaking romantic comedy played a pivotal role in introducing its infectious rhythms to American audiences. Nineteen years ago, on April 7, 2006, Nnegest Likké’s ‘Phat Girlz’ hit the cinemas, not only sparking conversations about body positivity and showcasing Nigerian culture, but also serving as an early and crucial ambassador for the vibrant sounds of Afrobeats in Hollywood.

Released globally by 20th Century Fox Studios, the film featured an all-star black cast with Academy Award-winning actress Mo’Nique in the lead role as the sexy and desirable love interest of “Dr Tunde”, a gorgeous Nigerian doctor played by popular actor Jimmy Jean-Louis. Nigerian-American comedian Godfrey Danchimah and award-winning thespian Dayo Ade,  also played handsome, well-to-do Nigerian doctors. 

Back when Hollywood soundtracks were largely dominated by American pop, R&B, and hip-hop, ‘Phat Girlz’ unapologetically pulsed with the energetic sounds of Afrobeats. The theme song, the iconic “African Queen” by 2Face Idibia (now 2Baba), wasn’t just a catchy tune, but a vibrant declaration of African romance and rhythm woven into the fabric of a Hollywood film. Alongside bangers from the Danfo Drivers, this carefully curated compilation was a cultural statement.

Recounting how ‘African Queen’ became the soundtrack for the film, Nnegest Likké said “It’s a really funny story now, but at the time it was serious business. I was editing and working with our Associate Producer, Moses ‘Eagle’ James, who is Nigerian… Moses was also instrumental in finding music, and while I knew I wanted Danfo Drivers for the limousine scene – a simple call to their manager Cornerstone secured that – finding a romantic Afrobeats song for the love scenes was a real quest.”

Likké explained the pre-social media search on Myspace. “After weeks of searching, I finally clicked on ‘African Queen’ and from the first beat, I was like OMG! It was perfect.” She then detailed reaching out to 2Face Idibia and then his manager Kenny Ogungbe, ultimately securing the rights. “After series of discussions, we were able to get “African Queen” as the soundtrack. When the movie came out, that song exploded in America.”

‘Phat Girlz’ was a cultural bridge built on self-love and the celebration of beauty. At its heart was the story of confident and curvaceous women, led by Mo’Nique Sidney, finding love with handsome, successful Nigerian doctors. This unique premise, born from the tri-cultural background of writer-director Nnegest Likké, naturally infused the film with authentic Nigerian elements – from the trendsetting fashion and mouth-watering cuisine to the cultural richness and distinctive dance moves.

Before the term “body positivity” became a mainstream buzzword, ‘Phat Girlz’ boldly celebrated ‘Thick Madames’ placing them at the center of a desirable love story. It was a first in many ways, including being the first Hollywood film to prominently feature Afrobeats, laying a crucial foundation for the genre’s future explosion in the American music scene.

As Likké recalled, African-American women were instantly drawn to the portrayal of successful and attractive Nigerian men, a direct reflection of the positive and appealing cultural package ‘Phat Girlz’ presented, music included. The film’s success sparked curiosity and a newfound appreciation for Nigerian culture, with its vibrant sounds playing a key role in this cultural awakening.

She also noted that the contributions of Nigerian creatives, Femi Odugbemi, who served as Production Consultant and Second Unit Director for the Nigeria scenes, and Moses “Eagle” James, the Associate Producer and story consultant, were invaluable in ensuring the authenticity of the cultural representation.

Likké continues to shape important cultural narratives through cinema, most recently writing the Netflix Original ‘A Sunday Affair,’ which debuted at #1 on the platform and became Netflix’s most-watched Nigerian film in the first half of 2023.