By Habeeb Ibrahim
Nigerian rapper Remilekun Abdulkalid Safaru, popularly known as Reminisce, is set to return to the big screen in Toyin Abraham’s upcoming cinema film, Bestie, seven years after making his acting debut in Kemi Adetiba’s King of Boys.
Reminisce was recently unveiled as one of the lead cast members of Bestie, where he will play the character Kazeem, also known as Alaga Big Star.
Toyin Abraham announced his involvement through promotional material for the movie, revealing that it took her six months to convince the rapper to take up the role.
According to Abraham, Reminisce had previously indicated that he did not want to return to acting after his experience in King of Boys. She eventually succeeded in persuading him to take on the new role.
Reminisce first entered Nollywood in 2018 when he played Makanaki in King of Boys, a crime thriller directed by Kemi Adetiba.
The role put the rapper alongside established actors including Sola Sobowale, Adesua Etomi, Jide Kosoko and Toni Tones, while also featuring fellow rapper Illbliss.
His portrayal of Makanaki attracted considerable attention and established him as a musician who could also hold his own in a major film production.
Reminisce had initially been reluctant to accept the role. He later revealed that Adetiba spent several months persuading him to take part in the film.
He also recalled feeling nervous after watching Sola Sobowale perform as Eniola Salami during the production. The rapper said Sobowale’s performance made him question whether he could meet the standard expected of him.
Despite his initial hesitation, Reminisce completed the role and returned as Makanaki in King of Boys: The Return of the King, the 2021 Netflix continuation of the original film.
Since then, he has largely remained focused on his music career, maintaining his position as one of the notable names in Nigeria’s indigenous hip-hop scene.
His return to acting in Bestie is now being accompanied by a familiar part of his music catalogue.
In promotional material for the film, Reminisce’s popular song Kako Bi Chicken was used, connecting his musical identity with his return to the screen.
Kako Bi Chicken is one of the records that helped define Reminisce’s catalogue, alongside songs such as Ponmile, Local Rappers and Ajaga.
For Bestie, Reminisce joins an ensemble cast that includes Toyin Abraham, Pete Edochie, Sola Sobowale, Maurice Sam, Yakubu Mohammed, Lizzy Jay and BBNaija Season 10 winner Imisi.
The film is scheduled for release in Nigerian cinemas on December 16, 2026.
Reminisce’s return comes with a different starting point from his first acting experience. In King of Boys, he was making his screen debut as Makanaki. In Bestie, he returns to the screen with previous experience and takes on the character of Kazeem.
The upcoming film will therefore mark his first major return to cinema acting since his appearance in the King of Boys franchise, giving audiences another opportunity to see the rapper in a different acting role.
