Nigerian-American singer and actor Rotimi is opening up about his unlikely path to fame, revealing how his acting career was born out of a season of struggle and divine intervention.
In a recent interview with CNN’s African Voices Changemakers, Rotimi, who’s best known for his roles in Power, Boss, and Divergent, recalled how he transitioned from being a broke musician in Chicago to becoming a celebrated face in Hollywood.
“I was a struggling artiste who was big in Chicago for music but had no money,” Rotimi shared. “Then my manager said, ‘Listen, man, you’re a natural in front of the camera. Why don’t you try to get a commercial?’”
Despite having no acting experience, no résumé, and no acting coach willing to take him on, Rotimi still took the leap—landing his first role “by the grace of God,” he said. That moment became a turning point in his life, leading to a breakout appearance in the political drama series ‘Boss’, where he starred alongside veteran actor Kelsey Grammer.
But while acting may have opened doors, music remains his first love.
“Music is still my real passion,” he said, naming Love Somebody as his favorite track — a song he described as a “conversation God is having with you to remind you that everything you want is right there.”
In 2024, Rotimi released his double album ‘In My Heart In My Veins’, which boldly showcases his versatility — blending Afrobeats and R&B into a dual-themed body of work.
“We gave a double album so that you have a whole list of songs that are Afrobeats and a whole R&B side,” he explained. “You get two sides of who I am.”
Although he was scheduled for a 30-city tour earlier this year, Rotimi had to postpone due to a medical condition affecting his throat.
“It’s hard,” he admitted. “You just have to now put more faith in God, that there’s a reason for this.”
On a deeper level, Rotimi says his journey has taught him to shift his focus from chasing timelines to living with intention and gratitude.
“I used to say I want this in five years,” he said. “Then I realized—who am I? Whatever it’s supposed to be, I just wanna be happy and full of joy.”
Outside of music, Rotimi continues to evolve as an actor, with credits including Black Nativity, Battle Creek, and the fan-favorite Power, where he portrayed Andre “Dre” Coleman. He was also signed to 50 Cent’s G-Unit Records in 2015, a deal that helped push his music to a global audience.
From humble beginnings in Chicago to international fame, Rotimi’s story is one of resilience, faith, and staying rooted in purpose—a testimony to the power of trusting divine timing.
