Just like Forbes, Huffington post has also released a list of its own version of 10 Richest African musicians.
See the list below and check out the Nigerian musicians who made the list.
1 Youssou N’dour
Youssou
N’dour brings it home in the No.1 spot. This Senegalese singer is
widely considered 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 Psquare
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 Olomide
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 2face 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.






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