During an exclusive Paramount Pictures trailer launch of Children of Blood and Bone, director Gina Prince-Bythewood announced news that sent shockwaves through Afrobeats and film circles. Tems, the Grammy-winning Nigerian powerhouse, has been named Executive Music Producer and Curator for Children of Blood and Bone’s soundtrack.
This isn’t just another synchronization placement or a feature on a compilation album. Tems is taking the creative helm of a major Hollywood fantasy franchise, shaping its entire sonic landscape from top to bottom.
Beyond the “Afrobeats Feature”: Real Creative Control
For years, African representation on major Western film soundtracks followed a predictable pattern: local artists were invited to contribute a track or two to add “exotic flavor” to a project produced entirely by Hollywood insiders.
Tems’ appointment shatters that ceiling completely.
Children of Blood and Bone adapted from Tomi Adeyemi’s New York Times bestselling YA fantasy novel rooted in West African mythology demanded a musical identity as rich, fierce, and magical as its narrative.
Director Gina Prince-Bythewood revealed that Tems was woven into the DNA of the film long before production officially began. During her writing process, Prince-Bythewood kept Tems’ breakout track “Try Me” on constant repeat. That deep emotional alignment sparked a clear vision: Tems shouldn’t just contribute a song; she should lead the entire musical landscape
Why This Moment Matters for Culture
Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone was already a watershed moment for fantasy literature. A high-concept epic deeply rooted in West African mythology, Yoruba culture, and black liberation.
A story rooted in African lore features a world-class Black cast. An African woman curates and scores it, delivering exceptional narrative, visual, and sonic authenticity.
Therefore, Tems taking executive control confirms the continent’s sound is not a passing trend Hollywood will sample and discard. As a result, it is a dominant global force capable of framing the world’s biggest stories.
August just got a whole lot more exciting.
Why Tems Curating Children of Blood and Bone Is a Cultural Shift
