While many Nigerian musicians have gained recognition within and outside the shores of the country, the impact was fully felt when Forbes rated seven Nigerian musicians as part of the 10 top richest musicians in Africa. Today, most Nigerian musicians are living their dreams. They live in opulence like their counterparts in other parts of the world. Here are just some of the successful artistes who are living their dreams.
D’BANJ
The
success story of Dapo Oyebanjo popularly known as D’Banj cannot only be
quantified by naira and kobo but in dollars and pounds. Ever since he
arrived the Nigerian music scene with his close friend and producer, Don
Jazzy, he has been soaring high in his career, dishing out hits after
hits.Few years back when he went solo, he revealed how, he and Jazzy made over N3 billion as at then, while they were still together. D’banj also known as the ‘Koko Master’ is not only an artiste who makes his money from the sale of his CDs alone, but he is a businessman who has invested heavily in other concerns of life. He was once paid $1m by a cable television for a show called, Koko Mansion.
The Ogun State-born lanky musician owns a range of investments which includes ‘Koko Water, Koko Garri, Koko Mobile, Koko Bar. His Koko Foundation is currently working on charitable initiatives for the less privileged.
Aside his fleet of exotic cars, D’banj is a powerful dresser who has headlined many national and international events and still counting. His mansion in the US is worth over N300m as well as his other landed properties scattered across the nation.
He has a multimillion endorsement deals with Globacom, an energy drink company, Chris Aire, UAC, among others. He currently has a recording deal with Kanye West’s G.O.O.D Music. He pockets between N5 million and N7million as performance fee for local gigs; $80,000 to $150,000 for African shows; £40,000 to £60,000 for UK shows; and $50,000 to $60,000 for American shows.
Tuface
From
when Innocent Ujah Idibia was a member of the defunct Plantazhion Boys,
he was making his mark as the lead singer. No wonder, he became a
household name in Africa and beyond when he went solo.The pop star fondly called Tuface or Tubaba has so many awards which has distinguished him among the greats in the music industry. The CEO of Hypertek Records and Entertainment married to Nollywood actress, Annie Macaulay is a heavy investor in the real estate business.
According to him, it’s one ‘business that one cannot go wrong with.’ He owns a N200 million Rumours Club in Festac town as well as in GRA, Ikeja with the same name. Reports say, he’s worth over N600m.
Aside endorsement deals from Guinness, Airtel and N30m from ‘Phat Girls,’ he charges between N4 million to N5 million per show. He has huge invested in stocks and real estates. The African queen crooner has five multi-million naira houses at the last count in Lagos, Abuja and Benue states. He cruises in states of the art cars.
Banky W
Known
as Mr. Capable, Bankole Wellington is in a world of his own as a
specialist in RnB genre of music and he is smiling to the banks for his
efforts.The Nigerian American who is CEO, Empire Friends Entertainment (E.M.E) records is instrumental to the soaring careers of multi millionaire musician, Wizkid and Skales.
Not much is known about his investments but he is rich enough to own a scholarship fund which supplies tuition fee, room, board at some universities for brilliant but indigent students.
He is on the Board of Trustees of ‘Lightup Nigeria’ which aims at ensuring regular power supply in the country. Banky W who is a lover of automobile is a brand ambassador for Etisalat as well as Face of Samsung in West African countries. He is an accomplished Master of ceremonies.
WIZKID
The ‘Celebrity Youngman’ needs no introduction. His name is Ayo Balogun better known as Wizkid. He is the CEO, Star Youngman Record label, an artistes that has a large following both locally and internationally especially in the UK.
Wizkid
has headlined major events within and outside the shores of the country
with a lot of awards to show for his hardwork. He no doubt lives like a
prince.With an eye popping mansion in Lekki, Lagos aside his expensive cars which includes a N15 million Porsche Panamera after crashing the first one, the ‘Caro’ exponent raked in millions with his multimillion naira endorsement deal with Pepsi, MTN. Wizkid also makes money from sale of CDs, shows as he charges N5 million per show, among other benefits.
Don Jazzy
Don Jazzy, Jay Z and Kanye West
The Delta State-born producer who embraced the microphone at the age of five signed lucrative deals with Loya Milk, Samsung and MTN. He has interest in the oil and gas sector as well as real estate business.
He is not someone who loves to show off but a reliable source informed that Jazzy rated as the number one richest African musician lives in a multi-million naira mansion in Lekki and paints the town red in his exotic cars including Porsche Carrera.