Meet Famous actors/artistes From the Yoruba Tribe

Yoruba is one of the languages widely spoken in Nigeria. That’s why it may come as a surprise that some of the top celebs we see on International movie screen aside having Nigerian Origin are actually from Yoruba tribe.
We’ve made a list of international celebrities from Yoruba tribe below
Hakeem Kae-Kazim
Hollywood actor, was born on October 1, 1962 in Lagos state to Nigerian parents from Abeokuta, Ogun state.
He has featured in several hit movies such as ‘Hotel Rwandan, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End and many TV series: 24, Lost, Law & Order, Criminal Minds amongst others.
He has also featured in blockbuster Nollywood movies like: Last Flight To Abuja, Black November, Half of a Yellow Sun.
Hakeem is a brand ambassador for telecommunications company – Etisalat Nigeria.


WALE
US Rapper, Wale real name Olubowale Victor Akintimehin was born to Nigerian parents both from Yoruba tribe, Ogun state but grew up in the US.
Wale aside being one of the top rappers in the US has also become popular in Nigeria.
He has done collaborations with singers like Wizkid in ‘Nobody But You’, Olamidein ‘Make Us Proud’. The Maybach Music superstar, Wale visited his mother land in December 2013.

Taio Cruz
British singer, Jacob Taio Cruz real name Adetayo Ayowale Onile-Ere is of Nigerian heritage. Born on 23 April 1985 in London to a Nigerian father and a Brazillian mother.
Cruz who started writing songs when he was 12, was signed on a US publishing deal at just 18 years old.
He began his songwriting career at age 19 and has won several awards some of which are: BRIT Awards, Billboard Music Awards, ASCAP Awards and American Music Awards.

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje

Hollywood actor, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje was born on August 22, 1967 in Washington, D.C to Nigerian parents.

Aside being fluent in Yoruba, he is also fluent in several languages such as: English Italian, Swahili.
He has featured in movies like The Bourne Identity, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, Mr. Eko on Lost, Simon Adebisi on Oz, The Mummy Returns amongst others.

Adetomiwa Edun
British actor, Adetomiwa Edun was born in 1984 to a Nigerian father from the Yoruba tribe and a half-Ghanaian, half-English mother.
Edun who moved to the United Kingdom at the age of 11 has featured in movies like Slaves, Lwa & Order:UK, The Hour, Passengers.
He is popularly known for his role in the TV series, Merlin when he played ‘Sir Elyan’ and he became the second black in 2009 to play Romeo at the GlobeTheatre.
In addition to being fluent in English, he speaks Yoruba and French.

Richard Ayoade
Richard Ayoade is a British actor born on June 12, 1977 to a Nigerian father and Norwegian mother.
The comedian, actor and writer has written several awards winning stage plays in the UK.
He is also a known face on British TV having starred in the highly popular The IT Crowd. He made his Hollywood debut in 2012 after starring in the comedy The Watch alongside Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn and Jonah Hill.

David Oyelowo
Hollywood actor, David Oyelowo was born on April 1, 1976 in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England to Nigerian parents.
He has featured in moboes like: The Butler, Small Island.
In March 2010 he played the part of Keme Tobodo in the BBC’s drama series ‘Blood and Oil’ (a film about Niger-Delta area of Nigeria).

Adepero Oduye
American actress, Adepero Oduye might not quickly ring a bell but she featured in hit movie ‘ 12 Years A Slave’ alongside British-Nigerian actor, Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Adepero Oduye is born to Nigerian parents from Yoruba Tribe. She played Alike in Pariah (2011), TV series, Law & Order amongst others.
She has received several awards, including a nomination for Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead.

Hope Olaide Wilson
Hollywood actress, Hope Olaide Wilson was born on August 16, 1985 to Nigerian parents from the Yoruba Tribe.
Hope Olaide Wilson who moved to the United States in 1996 has featured in Tyler Perry’s movies ‘I Can Do Bad All By Myself’, After the Dark and Faith and Dreams amongst others.

She is also fluent in English, French, and Yoruba.

She won the 2009 Diversity Awards Female ‘Nova’ Award Recipient for promising talent.