‘Children of Blood and Bone’ Enlists Tems and Burna Boy to Shape the Sound of Hollywood’s African Fantasy Epic

Nigerian Grammy-winning singer Tems has reached another career milestone after being announced as the executive music producer and curator of the soundtrack for Paramount Pictures’ highly anticipated fantasy film, Children of Blood and Bone. Joining her on the project is fellow Grammy winner Burna Boy, who will serve as executive music consultant, adding another strong Nigerian influence to one of Hollywood’s biggest upcoming productions.

The announcement was made during the launch of the film’s first trailer, where director Gina Prince-Bythewood revealed that she specifically wanted Tems to oversee the musical direction of the project. According to the filmmaker, Tems has curated the soundtrack and also recorded three original songs for the movie. Burna Boy’s role as executive consultant will see him contribute creatively to shaping the overall musical identity of the soundtrack. Other Afrobeats stars, including BNXN and Fireboy DML, have also been recruited, while acclaimed composer Terence Blanchard is blending orchestral music with African instrumentation for the film’s score.

The appointment marks another groundbreaking achievement for Tems, whose international profile has continued to soar in recent years. After earning global recognition through collaborations with Wizkid, Drake, Future, Beyoncé and Rihanna, she has gone on to win Grammy Awards and receive an Academy Award nomination for co-writing “Lift Me Up,” Rihanna’s lead single for Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. This is her first time serving as executive producer of a major Hollywood film soundtrack, highlighting her growing influence beyond performing.

Burna Boy also brings valuable experience to the production. His song “Alone” featured prominently on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, while his continued success as one of Africa’s biggest global music stars has established him as a respected creative force capable of bridging African and international audiences. His appointment as executive consultant reflects the production’s desire to ensure the soundtrack authentically represents the film’s African roots.

Children of Blood and Bone is based on the bestselling novel by Nigerian-American author Tomi Adeyemi. Inspired by Yoruba mythology and West African culture, the story follows young heroine Zélie Adebola as she embarks on a dangerous quest to restore magic to the mythical kingdom of Orïsha after it was violently taken from her people. Since its release in 2018, the novel has become an international bestseller and is widely regarded as one of the most successful African-inspired fantasy books of its generation.

The film adaptation boasts an impressive international cast featuring Thuso Mbedu, Damson Idris, Cynthia Erivo, Idris Elba, Viola Davis, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Regina King, Lashana Lynch and Amandla Stenberg. Nigerian stars Ayra Starr and Richard Mofe-Damijo also appear in the production, alongside rising Nigerian actors Pamilerin Ayodeji and Shamz Garuba, further strengthening the film’s African representation.

Scheduled for release on 15 January 2027, Children of Blood and Bone is already being tipped as one of Hollywood’s biggest fantasy releases.