The list of musicians
who rake in millions of dollars are usually reserved for international
megastars like Beyonce or Kanye West, and largely hail from the Western world.
However, there are artists across Africa whose stars are rapidly rising and
they are able to command larger and larger paychecks around the world. Highly
influential and each bringing their own unique sound, these artists represent
the richest African musicians, according to Answers Africa.
1. Youssou N’dour
Not surprisingly,
Youssou N’dour brings it home in the No. 1 spot. This Senegalese singer is
widely Sconsidered the most famous singer alive in Senegal and much of Africa.
His style of music is known as mbalax, a mix of Senegalese traditional music in
the Serer language and various styles from around the world including Cuban
rumba, hip hop, jazz, and soul. With millions around the world in his fan base,
he is now the owner of the biggest media house in Senegal (complete with radio
and TV stations) and was appointed tourism and culture minister in 2012. More
importantly, before K’naan had “Waving Flag” in 2010, N’dour was responsible
for the 1998 FIFA World Cup national anthem, “La Cour des Grands,” along with
Axelle Red.
2. P-Square
P-Square is made up
of identical twins, Peter and Paul Okoye, who began singing and dancing
together back in their small Catholic high school in Jos, Nigeria. After forming
the group in 2005, their music developed a devoted following, particularly in
South Africa, and each album outsold the previous one. They were named Artists
of the Year at the 2010 Kora Awards and now bring in more than $150,000 per
show. Best of all, their shared home is worth more than $3 million and has been
dubbed “Squareville.” Talk about product placement!
3. D’banj
D’banj, aka the Koko
Master, aka Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo, has been killing it in his native Nigeria and
around the world since 2007, and was the first African artist who signed with
the music label GOOD, owned by Kanye West. The recipient of countless awards,
D’banj is known for his unique sound of dance music and Afro beats. He is
involved in a variety of investments including a nightclub in Nigeria, brands
such as Koko water, and was given his own reality show, “Koko Mansion.”
4. Koffi Olomidé
Along with fellow
Congolese star Fally Ipupa, Koffi Olomidé formed Quartier Latin as lead singer
and vocalist before launching his solo career. Dubbing his style of music as
tcha tcho, he considers it a blend of soukous music (dance music that
originated from African rumba music). He’s notorious for taking on
controversial subjects in his lyrics, which has led him to be widely praised
and criticized worldwide. Raking in over 100,000 euros per show, Olomidé is
extremely popular across Africa and the world. One of his albums is listed in
Robert Dimery’s book, “1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.”
5. Salif Keita
Born and raised in
Mali, singer and songwriter Salif Keita has been referred to as the “Golden
Voice of Africa,” with his original take on Afro-pop music. Despite his royal
heritage (he’s directly descended from Sundiata Keita, the founder of the Mali
Empire), he chose a path of music, bucking the Malian caste system. But this
means that he was loaded even before his music career took off, explaining his
private island and properties across Europe.
6. Fally Ipupa
Fally Ipupa, a former
member of Quartier Latin International (along with Koffi Olomidé, to be
mentioned later), went solo in 2006 and has been incredibly successful, both in
his home country of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as well as
internationally. With MTV Africa Music and Kora awards under his belt, he’s
racked up clothing endorsement deals in Paris as well as high commissions for
his shows across the world, which are almost always sold-out.
7. 2 Face Idibia
Nigerian
singer-songwriter 2 Face Idibia began his career as a member of the hip hop
group Plantashun Boyz, but went solo in 2004 after the group split. His most
popular song, “African Queen,” took off after being featured in the movie “Phat
Girlz” in 2006, but all of his five albums have been very well-received around
the world. His wealth comes from various real estate investments across
Nigeria, as well as the $80,000 he commands per show.
8. Hugh Masekela
Musical sensation
Hugh Masekela is a South African artist who plays a variety of instruments,
including the trumpet, flugelhorn, and cornet, along with singing and composing
his own work. He has been highly praised for his work, with everything from a
Grammy nomination to the Order of the Ikhamanga by President Jacob Zuma (for
achievements in arts, culture, literature, music, journalism, and sports in
South Africa). He has graced prestigious festivals across the world. He is
perhaps best known for his acapella-style singing and collaboration with Paul
Simon and Ladysmith Black Mambazo on the Graceland album and 1987 Graceland
tour.
9. Banky W
Born Olubankole
Wellington in the U.S., Banky W moved back to Nigeria and grew up in Lagos,
where he began singing at an early age. Finding success early in singing
competitions, most of his wealth has come from endorsement deals with companies
such as Estisalat mobile and Samsung in Nigeria. He also started the Mr.
Capable Foundation, an education charity that provides tuition scholarships for
disadvantaged children.
10. Jose Chameleone
Jose (or Joe)
Chameleone is a Ugandan artist who found his niche blending traditional Ugandan
folk music, a bit of rumba and a heavy reggae influence. He sings in English,
Swahili, and Luganda. His mansion outside of Kampala and four cars (including a
Cadillac Escalade and a Benz) are evidence of his success, particularly with
his hit, “Valu Valu.” He’s been credited with changing the face of music in
Uganda, as well as making local music accessible to the rest of the world.
- See more at:
http://afkinsider.com/15342/top-10-richest-african-musicians/#sthash.LFvzWd0L.dpuf
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