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 TV screens, on the Internet, or hear on radio, aside of having Nigerian Origin are actually from Yoruba tribe.

(1) Hakeem Kae-Kazim

Hollywood actor. He 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.

(2) 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 USA.

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’, Olamide in ‘Make Us Proud’. The Maybach Music superstar, Wale, visited his motherland in December 2013.

(3)Taio Cruz

British singer, Jacob Taio Cruz, real name Adetayo Ayowale Onile-Ere, is of Nigerian heritage. He was born on April 23, 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 of age.

He began his song-writing career at the age of 19 and has won several awards some of which are: BRIT Awards, Billboard Music Awards, ASCAP Awards and American Music Awards.

(4)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 and 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.

(5)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, Law & 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 Globe Theatre.

In addition to being fluent in English and Yoruba, he speaks French.

(6)Richard Ayoade

Richard Ayoade is a British actor born on June 12, 1977, to a Nigerian father and a Norwegian mother.

The comedian, actor and writer has written several award-winning stage plays in the UK.

He is also a well-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.

(7)David Oyelowo

Hollywood actor David Oyelowo was born on April 1, 1976, in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, to Nigerian parents.

He has featured in movies 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.

(9)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.

(10) John Boyega. (born 17 March 1992)
He is a British actor, best known for playing Moses in the 2011 sci-fi film Attack the Block. Boyega will play a key role in the upcoming 2015 sci-fi film Star Wars Episode VII. He also featured as lieutenant chris tanner in the 24 hours movie series. His both parents are yoruba

(11) Gbenga Akinnagbe (born December 12, 1978)

Born in Washington, D.C to Nigerian parents and grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland, He is the second oldest of six children, with one older sister and four younger brothers. He is the first in his family to be born in the U.S. He attended Colonel Zadok A. Magruder High School in Rockville, Maryland. Akinnagbe attended Bucknell University on a wrestling scholarship, majoring in Political Science and English. He is the cousin of DC rapper Wale.

He played "Ben Ellis" in the episode Contenders on the TV series Numb3rs. In the summer of 2006, Akinnagbe performed the role of "Zim" in the NYC Fringe Festival's "Outstanding Play" award-winning production of Modern Missionary.In 2003, Akinnagbe auditioned for the role of Chris Partlow on the HBO series The Wire and starting in 2004 began a frequent recurring role. In 2008 during the show's fifth and final season, he was promoted to a series regular. In 2007, Akinnagbe appeared in the film The Savages with Philip Seymour Hoffman, Laura Linney, and Philip Bosco. He appeared in the remake of The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, which was released by Sony in June 2009. Akinnagbe made a guest appearance on a Season 10 Law and Order: SVU episode entitled "Hell" as Elijah Okello, a former Ugandan child soldier living in New York, facing deportation. Akinnagbe's former The Wire cast mate Robert Wisdom also appeared in that episode as Father Theo Burdett. In 2010 in Seattle, Washington Akinnagbe starred in world premiere play The Thin Place at The Intiman Theatre. He was also in the movie Lottery Ticket and is currently in The Good Wife as Pastor Isiah Easton.His former co-star from the The Wire, Frankie Faison, portrayed his father on the show in several episodes. He is currently starring as Kelly Slater, a new nurse in the 3rd season of the Showtime series Nurse Jackie.He will be seen in the lead role of Jack in the upcoming Independent film "Home", directed by Jono Oliver. He is currently playing a drug lord in the USA series Graceland and stars as CIA agent Erik Ritter in 24: Live Another Day.

SADE ADU

Is taio cruz american?

pickabeau1: Is taio cruz american?

brit I think...

Making Nigerians proud!

I love this

My same thougts.. maybe the title should just say what Foreign Artistes

cirmuell: brit I think...

Making Nigerians proud!

They're not Nigerians, stop claiming them.

naija, una too much.

@ op Your post title should be

Popular American and British Celebrities Who You Didn’t Know Were Yorubas

nice tho

#still waiting for someone to say "op y are you pointing out the yorubas only"

Nigerians are scattered everywhere.

While many are doing drugs and getting deported, there are some out there doing the green white green proud.

pansophist: @ op Your post title should be

Popular American and British Celebrities Who You Didn’t Know Were Yorubas

corrected

charlesopp: (6)Richard Ayoade

Richard Ayoade is a British actor born on June 12, 1977, to a Nigerian father and a Norwegian mother.

The comedian, actor and writer has written several award-winning stage plays in the UK.

He is also a well-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.

He is cute and he looks like a nerd. I like

op u neva put my name?
i featured in harry potter complete season 1

oyatmicah: op u neva put my name?
i geatured in harry potter complete season 1

Op, you forgot about Tinie Tempah.

b3llo: Op, you forgot about Tinie Tempah.

Chamillionaire (Hakeem Seriki )....
Nas (Olu dara something )

Tinie Tempah is igbo

Proud yoruba niqq

Add Rick Famuyiwa

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Famuyiwa

Nice one...that's if na true u dey talk o Op