Veteran Nollywood actor Harry Anyanwu, widely known as Harry B, is expanding his creative portfolio by pursuing a music career while maintaining his established presence in the film industry. In an interview with Punch, the actor discussed his determination to remain relevant in entertainment and his specific desire to collaborate with younger artists. He stated that he does not view the success of contemporary stars as a source of pressure, but rather as inspiration for his own musical journey.
Anyanwu’s entry into the film industry was largely accidental. After studying accounting at the University of Bridgeport in the United States and working in a bank in Nigeria, he began acting around 2010 and officially joined the industry in 2012. He noted that he was initially given major roles despite having no formal training in theatre arts. Over time, he actively resisted being typecast as a king or traditional ruler by selecting scripts that allowed him to play wicked elders and antagonists. He emphasized that he is not a one-dimensional actor and has worked to avoid the stereotypes often associated with older performers.
Regarding his musical ambitions, Anyanwu described his love for music as originating from his father, who played instruments during his childhood. He writes his own lyrics and aims to blend his personal character into his songs, exploring genres such as hip-hop, Christian, and cultural music. He expressed a strong desire to collaborate with established musicians, specifically naming Flavour as a dream partner. He believes that age is merely a number and that he can compete with younger artists by staying true to his own style rather than imitating others.
The actor also reflected on the current state of Nollywood, noting that he misses the era of classic films like Living in Bondage. He criticized the industry for producing repetitive stories that are often copies of existing works, although he acknowledged that many writers still produce high-quality content. He insisted that older actors are not being pushed aside by the younger generation, arguing that every age group has a specific role to play in storytelling. He concluded that his passion for entertainment, rather than financial gain, has kept him in the industry, and he remains committed to pushing his music to the next level.