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Legendary Sierra Leone music icon Jimmy Bangura, affectionately known as Jimmy B and considered the godfather of Sierra Leonean music, recently shared an exciting photo on social media.
The picture revealed him on the set of the popular Hollywood best-selling film, “Coming to America.”
Reflecting on his journey, Bangura expressed his gratitude for the remarkable opportunity, considering it a testament to how far he has come in his career.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, he reminisced about being just 17 years old when he had the chance to be part of Paramount Pictures’ “Coming to America.”
Bangura credited his achievements to the faithfulness of a higher power, stating, “God has indeed brought me far. He has been truly faithful.”
However, the music icon also shed light on a longstanding controversy and unsolved mystery within the Sierra Leonean entertainment industry.
Despite being involved in such a prominent production, Bangura clarified that his name was not included in the film’s credits due to the category of casting he fell under.
Bangura explained that he played the role of an extra, also known as a “waka pass” in African films. Unfortunately, this category of casting rarely receives credit in movies. Even in modern times, extras’ names are often omitted from the credits, and “Coming to America” was no exception.
Released in 1988, the film starred Eddie Murphy and featured a talented cast of African-American actors, marking a breakthrough in Hollywood cinema during the late ’80s and early ’90s.
