Talent has often been compared to a door – something that leads people [possessing them to a place of ease, a place they would always want to be. Not surprisingly, some of the most talented musicians out there are also some of the richest.
Of course, not every talent gets to make it into the corridors of wealth. Still, there is no denying the impact of talent and how it creates great connections and flings doors open to people who wouldn’t get anywhere otherwise.
Africa is one throbbing universe of talents – some wealthy, some not quite so. But, of course, this takes nothing from the reality that some of the top voices are also some of the richest. In this article, we explore some of the richest in the game. So here is our list of the 20 Richest African Music Artists – in no particular order, of course.
1. Davido
Ten years ago, many didn’t take him seriously. But not anymore. Davido has already made a name for himself and is today one of the wealthiest musicians on the continent.
Davido calls himself, justifiably, “Omo baba olowo,” which translates to “son of a rich man” from the Yoruba. And that’s actually the truth. His father is a wealthy man, but then the “Assurance” star has made his own fortune from his music. His father’s wealth is more of a side note at this point.
Davido is not only one of the richest, but he also stands out for his generosity towards his associates. In fact, of ALL the musicians in Nigeria right now, he’s one of the most publicly generous and immensely loved for that.
Davido’s fleet of cars includes a Rolls Royce Cullinan and a Lamborghini Aventador.
2. Wizkid
“Jah Bless Me,” the songster had once sung at some point in his career. By then, of course, God had already blessed him immensely. But it goes to show his faith in the narrative that the spiritual controls the physical.
Wizkid, unlike the previously mentioned artist, wasn’t born into wealth. In fact, he was what Nigerians call a “trenches kid” – someone from a backwater. But then, from when he was a kid, Big Wiz knew his destiny was in music.
In Surulere, where he was born, he formed a church band with some of his associates. He was a kid then. No more. The songster has since risen to one of the most loved and one of the richest musicians in Nigeria. He owns a Rolls Royce, among other expensive cars.
3. Youssou N’dour
The Senegalese singer and songwriter is one of the oldest on this list and one of the richest as well. Born on 1 October 1959, Youssou N’dour’s fame is truly international. In fact, at some point, Rolling Stone Magazine had described him as, “perhaps the most famous singer alive.”
The songster was able to harness his musical gift into a global success that resonates to this day. He’d also amassed an impressive fortune too, thanks to his singing gift, which has also fetched him several awards, including the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Song.
He had delved into politics along the way, serving at some point as the minister of tourism in his native Senegal.
4. Diamond Platnumz
Nasibu Abdul Juma is the musician long famous by the adopted stage name Diamond Platnumz. He’s incontestably the most visible musician in Tanzania right now, with interests in music, entertainment and betting.
Diamond Platnumz’s interest in music dates back to when he was a kid. In fact, in an interview years back, he had noted that he used to steal his mother’s money to buy musical instruments. However, his commitment to his art has since paid off. Today, finding a musician as loved and visible as Diamond Platnumz in Tanzania is hard.
The “Baba Lao” hitmaker is not only one of the richest musicians in East Africa but also one songster who loves flaunting his wealth. He owns a Rolls Royce Cullinan, among other expensive cars.
5. Black Coffee
Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo is one musician many aspiring South African musicians look up to. He’s also much respected by established musicians. The reason is simple, the songster, who is now famous by his adopted stage name Black Coffee, is a high-flyer with networks encapsulating the likes of Drake, Beyonce, and Jay Z.
Black Coffee is the most prominent international disc jockey of South African provenance and also one of the wealthiest. Among the cars he owns are a Mercedes and Bentley. He won a Grammy for his album “Subconsciously” this year.
6. Don Jazzy
Don Jazzy, who’s fondly called the don by some of his admirers, is a Nigerian music producer and singer. However, he’s most famous as a producer and the brains behind the Mavin record label. He was formerly part of a collective known as Mo’Hits.
When the group split, the songster delved into a solo orbit, creating Mavin and building it into what many now consider an iconic brand already. The record label has the likes of Rema, Crayon, Ayra Starr and Ladipoe as part of its signees.
Don Jazzy is pretty rich, but you would rarely find him boasting about his wealth. He owns a Bentley, among other expensive cars
7. Cassper Nyovest
Refiloe Maele Phoolo was recently crowned the South African musician of the decade – a crown he is only too happy to carry and boast about. But then, the musician, who is professionally known as Cassper Nyovest, has earned his stripes.
Cassper Nyovest lived with his grandmother when he was a kid. From a young age, he was so obsessed with music that that he had to drop out of school to pursue his music dreams. He jumped into the back of an open town and headed from the township to the city.
Thus began a splendid change in the destiny of this bloke. He met HHP, who groomed him. Cass continued making progress until he emerged as one of the top voices in South African rap. He runs a record label called Family Tree, owns an alcohol brand called Billiato, and a sneakers brand dubbed Root of Fame.
The “Tito Mboweni” hitmaker is never shy to shout about his wealth and how much God has blessed him. He owns a Rolls Royce, a Bentley, and a McLaren, among others.
8. Burna Boy
Burna Boy (real name Damini Ogulu) is a Nigerian singer and record producer and, in his own estimation, the “Africa Giant.” He declaimed those words via an album of the same title. The songster has actually done much for the culture, and many wouldn’t begrudge him his epaulettes.
The songster, who reportedly charges about $500k for an international show, is also one of the richest, with several expensive cars to his name, including a Lamborghini. Your bod says to tell you he’s “Twice As Tall.”
9. Timaya
Timaya is another musician of Nigerian provenance. Several years ago, he was an unknown act – a poplar thirsting for sunlight. But the songster knew what he wanted and went for it. Today, he makes the list of one of the richest in Nigeria and, indeed, Africa.
Born Inetimi Timaya Odon, Timaya stands out for songs like “Balance” and “Cold Outside.” He owns a Mercedes Benz Maybach, and a Ferrari, among other expensive cars.
10. AKON
Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiamis a Senegalese-American. He made this list thanks to his roots. The “I Wanna Love You” star is also one of the richest musicians on the continent.
Akon is pretty steeped in the unfolding web 3 universe, with an interest in building a new city and crypto named akoin.
11. Koffi Olomide
Antoine Christophe Agbepa Mumba, professionally known as Koffi Olomide, is a Congolese music veteran and one of the richest in his country of provenance as well as in life generally.
The songster might be rich, but he’s not exactly loud with his wallet, unlike most in the game.
12. P-Square
Peter and Paul Okoye make up the collective known as P-Square. The brothers had a feud and split along the line. But they came back together again, thanks to the efforts of many prominent Nigerians, including the businessman Tony Elumelu.
Apart from the music, P-Square stands out among the richest in Nigeria and the African continent as well.
13. Sarkodie
Sarkodie is a Ghanaian musician and one of the most prominent in the Black Stae nation. He’s also counted among the richest in his native gold Coast and Africa generally. Sarkodie lofves acrs and has nerver hidden that love. In his fleet are a Rolls Royce Phantom and a Mercedes Benz S550, among others.
14. Salif Keita
He might no longer be in his prime, but the Malian singer Salif Keita has already made his mark on the scene and earned the tag of the “Golden Voice of Africa.” In his active days on the music scene, he also managed to acquiwealthlth and is listed among the richest.
15. DJ Tira
A maestro of the decks and turntables, DJ Tira is also one of the richest in the game and unapologetic about sharing the fact that he’s an athlete for the good life. DJ Tira’s music career spans over 20 years, during which time he established himself as one of the top voices. He’s a record label owner (Afrotainment) and a businessman with interests in real estate, among others.
16. 2Baba
Innocent Idibia, formerly known as Tuface or 2Face but now known as 2Baba,, is a Nigerian singer and the most prominent member of the now-defunct Plantashun Boiz collective. The group may have split, but the “African Queen” singer stands out as one of the richest in Africa, now flying solo.
17. Jose Chameleone
Jose Chameleone is a Kampala-based Ugandan musician, one of the most prominent in his country and one of the richest in Africa, with a personal fortune of about $5 million. The multi-award-winning songster runs a record label named for him, Leone Island Music Empire.
18. Akothee
Akothee is a Kenyan singer and businesswoman and easily one of the most loved musicians from East Africa. Her business acumen has seen her delve into multiple ventures, from music to leisure. She also stands out for her magnanimity, always looking out for the less fortunate.
19. Shatta Wale
Another one for Ghana. Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr., long famous as Shatta Wale, is pretty adept at shattering boredom with his songs. Since he popped into the music scene n Ghana he has emerged as one of the top voices and also one of the richest in Africa. NEPA has nothing on this one. Lol.
20. Fally Ipupa
Another one for the Congo. Fally Ipupa is one of the most prominent Congolese singers and one of the most loved, too. He’s come a long way as a musician and accumulated a decent bag. So he made the list.
