MUSIC

Top 10 Richest African Musicians

Published

6 years ago

11:55 pm

Delvin

Ever wondered who the Richest African Musicians are? Well, we got you covered. Africa is a continent which is endowed with many good things. Among the vast majority of endowments is its music industry. The entertainment industry is a major contributor to the Gross Domestic Profit of many developing countries in Africa.

After several hours of research and digging, all in the quest of compiling an accurate and comprehensive list of the top ten richest musicians in Africa, we were able to get the following. Their net worth was taken into consideration and this includes their endorsement deals as many of them are ambassadors of different brands.

Below is a list of Richest African Musicians and we will discuss what makes them tick and how they found their success.

10. The Late Oliver Mtukudzi

A veteran in the African music industry who successfully released over 65 albums. He is a Zimbabwean by the origin and was very successful in his music career with more than 41 years of experience. A musician, philanthropist, businessman and UNICEF ambassador for goodwill in the Southern African Region. He bagged several awards numbering over twenty.

Oliver Mtukudzi has an estimated net worth of 1.2 million dollars.

9. Jidenna

Jidenna is a Nigerian – American singer who was born on the 4th May 1985. He is signed to Wondaland Records, Epic records and Fear and Fancy records. He is a singer, rapper, songwriter and music producer. He released two major singles “Classic Man” and “Yoga” in the year 2015. That same year, his single “Classic Man” won awards of “Song of the Year” and “Video of the Year” at the Soul Train Music Awards.

Jidenna has an estimated net worth of 1.4 million dollars.

8. The Late Hugh Masakela

Hugh Masekela is and was the second richest artist in South Africa. Hugh Masekela rocked South Africa’s music industry with constant releases. He worked productively in his own record company, had many honorary prizes and was nominated for a Grammy Award. He died on January 23. He was a South African trumpeter, composer and singer. Hugh was popularly referred to as “The Father Of South African Jazz” and he is always in the heart of many lovers of Jazz music in South Africa. Even after his death, he is still the eighth on our list.

Hugh Masakela has an estimated net worth of 1.5 million dollars.

7. Tinashe

This is another wonderful and wealthy musician from the African continent. Being the only female on our list means she has been successful in her music career. She is an American singer who was born in Lexington, Kentucky to Zimbabwean parents, Professor Michael Kachingwe and his wife Aimie Kachingwe. Tinashe Jorgensen Kachingwe is a singer, songwriter, producer, dancer, fashion model and actress. She is currently signed to Konvict music.

Tinashe has an estimated net worth of 6 million dollars.

6. Sarkodie

Sarkodie is a talented rapper and obviously one of the best rappers in the African music industry. He hails from Ghana and was born on the 10th of July 1988. His real name is Michael Owusu Addo but popularly known and fondly addressed by his stage name Sarkodie. He is currently signed to his record label Sarkcess music. He is a rapper, recording artist and an entrepreneur.

Sarkodie currently has five albums in his career and has often been called one of Africa’s greatest hip-hop artistes by prominent sources like MTV Base, Lynx Tv and AfricanHype.com

Sarkodie has an estimated net worth of 7 million dollars.

5. Davido

David Adedeji Adeleke is a Nigerian artiste and son to a Nigerian billionaire Mr. Adeleke. He was born in Atlanta Georgia, USA but later relocated to Nigeria. He is popularly known and called by his stage name Davido. He is a successful musician, singer, songwriter and producer. He has many award nominations, has won many awards and has profitable endorsements to his name. Some of his awards are Headies award, BET and others. Davido was once an ambassador for MTN (a telecommunications giant in Africa), Guinness and is currently an ambassador for Infinix mobile (a smartphone company based in Hong Kong) among others.

He is signed to Sony Music and is the CEO of his own record label.

Davido has an estimated net worth of 16 million dollars.

4. Wizkid

Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun popularly known by his stage name Wizkid or sometimes called Starboy is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He hails from Surulere, Lagos State in Nigeria and was born on the 16th of July 1990. Wizkid gained prominence in the music space in the year 2010 with the release of his song “Holla at your boy” with the Empire Mates Entertainment label.

He also gained international recognition in 2016 with his song titled “One Dance” in which he featured Drake. The song reached number one on music charts in more than fifteen countries including the United States of America, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. It can be said that Wizkid is one of the successful and wealthy musicians in Africa.

Wizkid has an estimated net worth of 20 million dollars.

3. Don Jazzy

Michael Collins Ajereh is a native of Delta State in Nigeria and was born on the 26th of November 1982 making him 37 years of age. He is the founder and boss of his own record label called Mavin Records (Supreme Mavins Dynasty). Don Jazzy was the co-founder of the defunct Mo hits records which had big artistes like Dbanj and Wande Coal.

Mavins record has produced some of the biggest artistes in the Nigerian music space such as Tiwa Savage, Reekado Banks, Korede Bello, DNA twins, Dija, Rema, etc. He is a producer, songwriter, singer and businessman and has investments in real estate and production of Wi-fi.

Don Jazzy has an Estimated net worth of 30 million dollars.

2. Black Coffee

Black Coffee is a South African by origin and was born on the 11th of March 1976. He is currently signed to a record label called Soulistic Music. His real name is Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo. Black Coffee is a Disc Jockey (DJ), songwriter, producer as well as a singer. He started his career in the year 1995, created his own record label and successfully released five albums.

He became popular after being picked as a participant for the Red Bull Music Academy in 2004 which took place in Cape Town. After achieving this milestone, he added another feather to his cap by winning the “Breakthrough DJ of the Year” award at the DJ Awards in Ibiza. This event occurred some weeks after he released his fifth music album.

Black Coffee has an estimated net worth of 60 million dollars making him one of the richest African musicians.

1. Akon

Akon’s real name is Aliaume Damala Badara Akon Thiam born to Mor Thiam (father) and Kin Gueye Thiam (mother). He has dual citizenship as he was born in St Louis Missouri, United States of America but also spent part of his life in Senegal.

He is a successful singer, producer, songwriter, actor, entrepreneur and philanthropist. The CEO of Konvict Music, a record label which he is signed to currently. He also produced songs for International artistes such as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Snoop Dogg, Leona Lewis, Sean Paul and Lionel Richie. As a five-time Grammy award nominee and over 35 million albums sold out, we can conclude that he has had a successful music career in Africa.

Akon has an estimated net worth of 80 million dollars.

From the foregoing, you can see that the African music industry has gone very far. These artists have also made an impact not just within their continent but in the global entertainment scene. There are a lot of stars who are looking to displace the ones on the list and it will surely happen someday in the circle of life. Until then, we say kudos to those that have made it to our list.