Top 10 Richest Musicians In Africa 2021

Music has always been a profitable profession; as far back as we can remember, musicians have always been among the rich class of society, next to sportsmen, and fighters. This is especially so in the Africa of today, where some economies are booming more than ever before, making every sector, including music have more patronage, and thus earning more money. With the rise in the state of the economy of most African states, we now have more rich musicians than ever before.

So who are the richest musicians in Africa? Who are the entertainers whose records are selling the highest figures, and shows and concerts are pulling the biggest crowds? Naturally, the biggest stars will attract the juiciest endorsement deals because their images have the highest reach due to the fact that they have a high fan base. Without further ado, we now present the top 10 richest musicians in Africa. 

Top 10 Richest Musicians In Africa 2021

• 1. Youssou N’Dour – $145 MILLION

Youssou Madjiguéne N’Dour is a Senegalese singer born on the 1st of October, 1959. Asides his musical career, Youssou is also a politician, actor, businessman, and songwriter. He started his musical career at the age of 12 and performed with a famous band from the 70s, Star Band. Youssou is currently the richest musician in Africa. Giving credits to his great voice, the singer is ranked the most popular musician in Senegal.

Youssou has both the fame and fortune needed to be among this list of richest African musicians. The singer invests in real estates, and also has the biggest media house in Senegal.

Akon

• 2. Akon (Senegal/ America)

Estimated Net Worth: $80 Million

Akon, is a well-established song wrter, producer, and vocalist in America, and therefore the world, but he is from Senegal. His net- worth is estimated at around $80 million, and that makes him the richest African musician.  His mony was not made by luck or accident, however, Akon is truly a multi-talented individual. He came from prison and built a music empire by singing about prison life. He founded Convict Music, which quickly became a hit, and he also owns Kon Live Distribution.

Associated acts with Akon’s music company are T-Pain and Lady Gaga. Akon has no doubt reached super star status. He has sold more than 35 million albums and has been nominated for Grammy Awards five times. His songs have reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 songs list. He has recorded songs in almost every corner of the world and performed concerts on every continent. 

Black Coffee

• 3. Black Coffee 

Estimated Net Worth: $60 Million 

Black Coffee, the South African musician whose real name is Nkosinathi Maphumulo, is the second wealthiest music artiste on the continent of Africa. He has a net worth value of $60 million. He grew up in the Eastern Cape Province and found his music breakthrough there in his city. Black Coffee’s rise to fame and wealth is nothing short of meteoric. While he may not be popular in West Africa, he is absolutely phenomenal in Southern and Eastern Africa, and widely celebrated in America where he also has a lot of fans. 

Black Coffee is a holder of numerous awards and plaques; he rules in the South. He revealed his talent in 1995 and since then has gone on to release 5 albums under his own label. He made significant growth in the year 2004 when he was chosen for Red Bull Music Academy which was held in Cape Town. By the year 2005, he had won the “Breakthrough DJ Of The Year” award at the DJ Awards in Ibiza. 

Davido

• 4. Davido 

Estimated Net Worth: $24 Million

David Adedeji Adeleke popularly known as Davido leads the Nigerian contingent which threatens from the point on to suffocate all others out of the list. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia, but grew up in Nigeria. Davido has achieved success on a scale that must impress even his biggest haters. His songs are widely popular, not only in Nigeria but throughout English speaking Africa. Davido has sold out the O2 Arena in London and has effectively broken into the American music scene, with songs which he has done, featuring American superstars like Chris Brown.

Davido is the Chairman of OBO Music Group, and his label is already one of the foremost music brands in Nigeria.  He has many talents under his wings and is poised to do greater things. Davido has many nominations, awards, and profitable endorsements. He is a member of the Adeleke family of Ondo State, and they have industries, and political influence. 

Wizkid

• 5. Wizkid 

Estimated Net Worth: $20 Million 

Ayo Balogun AKA Wizkid or Wizzy is perhaps the hottest Nigerian artiste since Tuface Idibia. He is a Lagos native and was born in Surulere. Wizkid is a successful songwriter and singer by any standard. He has bagged Top Hot 100 song, Top R&B Song, and Top R&B Collaboration awards. Wikzid gets his music from the streets and his music resonates with the people. His fanbase cuts across most of Africa, and he is very popular in asia.

In 2019 Wizkid received nearly half a million dollars to perform at a royal palace in India. Subsequently, he performed a song with the queen of music herself; Beyonce Knowles. He was discovered and groomed by Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E) CEO Bankole Wellington in 2009. He however decided to make the moves on his own with the creation of Star Boy Records. Today, he is considered the king of Nigerian music and has a vast array of young talents under his wings. He has endorsement deals with so many brands including Pepsi. 

Don Jazzy

• 6. Don Jazzy 

Estimated Net Worth: $10-15 Million 

 Michael Collins Ajereh, who is popularly known as Don Jazzy, comes in next with an estimated net worth around $10 -$15 million. Don Jazzy’s love for music started when he was just a child in church. He later moved to the UK and began his journey up the career ladder. He came back to Nigeria and started a music label called Mo Hits in collaboration with long-time friend Dapo Oyebanji AKA D’banj.  Mo Hits became successful, and Don Jazzy became a famous talent scout and producer, with various successful artists under his wings. The Label was liquidated after a feud with D’banj, and Don Jazzy emerged with Mavin Music. 

Don Jazzy continued from where he stopped and has a new crop of talent constantly terrorizing the airwaves, and selling out arenas. His current net worth, according to some sources is put at $10 million dollars, but others put it as high as $20.  He is not just into music; Don Jazzy is a seasoned entrepreneur, marketer, and real estate dealer.

• 7. Burna Boy

Burna Boy, from rivers state, is Nigeria’s biggest music export at the moment. He is also the hottest musician in Africa in recent times and one of the richest musicians in Africa. He was born in the U.K, but grew up in Nigeria, and was blessed to come from a musical family. His bass voice is unique, and he performs like the modern-day version of Fela Anikulapo Kuti. He is popularly known as African Giant, after an album he recently released in which he basically toured much of Africa, and featured interesting aspects of her culture in his songs.

As of today, Burna Boy is busy selling out arenas all over the world and getting Grammy nominations. Furthermore, artists from the U.K as well as other parts of the world are busy lining up to feature Burna Boy. It seems like he is more appreciated in the United Kingdom than in Nigeria. Endorsement deals are all over the place, and the money is piling up to the ceiling. If he can keep this up he will soon top this list, no doubt about it.  

• 8. Rudeboy – $16 million 

Rudeboy is the 8th richest musician in Africa. Rudeboy’s real name is Paul Okoye, and he was born on 18th of November, 1981. He was once a duo alongside his twin brother Peter. Their albums were released through the Square Records and they were tagged the most successful duo for 15 years until 2017 when they decided to be solo singers. Rudeboy has an estate in Lagos, many exotic cars, and his net worth is $16 million.

• 9. 2Baba aka 2Face Idibia – $15 million 

2Face takes the 9th position on this list. His real name is Innocent Ujah Idibia. 2Face was born on 18th of September, 1975. He is a Nigerian singer, actor, songwriter, and record producer.  2Face started off his career at the Plantashun Boyz. His solo hit, African Queen helped him gain fame in 2006. He has over 40 awards to his name and has released more close to ten albums. Alongside his music career, 2 Face has invested in real estate, and he is a brand ambassador to some brands. He has a net worth of $15 million.

• 10. Timaya – $12 million

Inetimi Odon Timaya is professionally known by the stage name Timaya. He is a Nigerian music composer and singer. Timaya is the youngest of a family of fifteen children. K-Solo was the producer that recorded Timaya’s hit song “Dem Mama” and the seven songs from his album. Timaya currently has an estimated net worth of $12 million.

 

Related: 

• Top 10 Wealthiest Kids In Africa
• Top 10 Wealthiest Men In Africa
• Top 10 Wealthiest Oil Countries In Africa
• Top 50 Wealthiest Countries In Africa
• Top 10 Wealthiest Football Clubs In Africa

Conclusion

Patronage for musicians depends largely on the state of the economy. The bigger economies usually produce the richest musicians as you might have seen from this list. That does not mean that other musicians who are not listed here are not talented enough to make the list of richest musicians in Africa; it is just that they may not have a market that is large enough.