Top 10 Richest Musicians In Africa

Some of the criteria used in compiling the list of the richest musicians in Africa are their previous performances and how they influence artistes across Africa.

Due to the increasing numbers of very talented musicians from different countries in Africa, the speed at which African music is developing is amazing.

These top richest musicians have worked so hard to release amazing songs and have earned enough to push them up the ladder of success.

Top 10 Richest Musicians In Africa

1.Youssou N’Dour

Youssou N’Dour (also known as Youssou Madjiguène Ndour), born on October 1, 1959, in Dakar, Mali federation is a Senegalese singer, musician, songwriter, composer, businessman, occasional actor and politician. He was Senegal’s Minister of Tourism from April 2012 to September 2013.

N’Dour is one of the most celebrated African musicians in history – Rolling Stone magazine described him as “perhaps the most famous singer alive”, in 2004. He mixes traditional Senegalese Mbalax with influences from Cuban rumba to hip-hop, Jazz and soul – this has won him an international fan base of millions. In 1995, he opened his record label, Jololi. He is the proprietor of L’Observateur, one of the popular newspapers in Senegal and Radio Future Medias (radio station and television).

He is the richest musician in Africa with an estimated net worth of $145 million.

2.Akon

Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam (popularly known as Akon), born on April 16, 1973, in St.Louis, Missouri, U.S is a Senegalese-American singer, record producer and entrepreneur. In 2004, he rose to stardom following the release of “Locked Up” ( ft Styles P) and second single “Lonely”.

Akon started Akon Lighting Africa in 2014, to provide electricity to 15 countries in Africa. He also launched Konfidence Foundation, for underprivileged children in Africa. Akon was ranked no.6 by Billboard on the list of Top Digital Songs Artists of the decade.

He made most of his money from sales of his album, endorsement deals and other investments.

He is the second richest musician in Africa with an estimated net worth of $80 million.

3.Black Coffee

Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo (known as Black Coffee), born on March 11, 1976, in Umlazi, Kwa-zulu Natal, South Africa is a South African DJ, songwriter and record producer. His career started around 1994 and he established his record label Soulistic Music.

His first big break was when his song ‘Happiness’ was featured on the ‘DJs at Work’ album. He co-wrote and co-produced three songs on Drake’s 2022 album Honestly, Nevermind.

He is the third richest musician in Africa with an estimated net worth of $60 million.

4.Wizkid

Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun (known as Wizkid), born on July 16, 1990, in Surulere, Lagos is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. Wizkid also called Starboy, Baba Nla, Machala and Wizzy is regarded as one of the biggest and most influential African artists of all time.

After joining Banky W’s Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E) in 2009, he rose to the limelight after releasing “Holla at Your Boy”.

In 2016, following his collaboration with Drake on the hit single “One Dance”, he achieved international recognition. This made Wizkid the first Afrobeat’s artist to appear in the Guinness World Records. By February 2021, he became the most-streamed Nigerian artist of all time on Spotify.

He is the fourth richest musician in Africa with an estimated net worth of $30 million.

5.Davido

David Adedeji Adeleke (popularly known as Davido), born on November 21, 1992, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA is a Nigerian-American singer, songwriter and record producer. He founded Davido Music Worldwide (DMW) record label and has signed acts like Mayorkun, Peruzzi, Liya and Dremo. David has announced that his first annual festival “Are We African Yet (A.W.A.Y)” will hold at the State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia on November 18, 2022.

Davido has four children with different women and was previously engaged to Chioma, the mother of his third child. He is an ambassador to so many organizations and is the fifth richest musician in Africa with an estimated net worth of $29 million.

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6.Asa

Bukola Elemide (known as Asa), born on September 17, 1982, in Paris, France, is a Nigerian-French singer, recording artist and songwriter. Asa drew inspiration from the collection of her father’s playlist as a cinematographer. These records included artists such as Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, King Sunny Ade, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye and Nina Simone.

She studied at the IMFP school of Jazz music and is regarded as one of Nigeria’s most exposed musicians. Asa is the sixth richest musician in Africa with an estimated net worth of $29 million.

7.Don Jazzy

Michael Collins Ajerela, born on November 26, 1982, in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria is a Nigerian record producer. He once co-owned Mo’Hits Records record label with D’banj but is now the founder/CEO of Mavin Records.

Don Jazzy has worked with Jay-Z and Kanye West on the production of Lift Off which features Beyoncé. He has Rema, Arya Starr and Magixx signed into Mavins Record Label. Don Jazzy has a younger brother, D’Prince.

He is the seventh richest musician in Africa with an estimated net worth of $18 million.

8.Burna Boy

Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu (known as Burna Boy), born on July 2, 1991, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria is a Nigerian songwriter, singer and record producer. His fourth studio album, African Giant, won album of the year at All Africa Music Awards (2019) and was nominated for a Best World Music Album at the 62^nd Annual Grammy Awards.

In July 2022, Love, Damini which is his sixth studio album became the highest debut of an African album on billboard.

He is the eighth richest musician in Africa with an estimated net worth of $17 million.

9.2Face Idibia (2Baba)

Innocent Ujah Idibia (known as 2Baba), born on September 18, 1975, in Jos, Plateau, Nigeria is a Nigerian musician, songwriter, singer, philanthropist, record producer, activist and humanitarian. 2Baba is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s greatest musicians of all time and is the first winner of MTV EMA Best African Act Category in 2005.

He officially changed his name from Tuface/2face to 2Baba in 2016. He has signed so many endorsement deals and is one of the most awarded Nigerian musicians.

2Baba has two children with his wife, Annie Idibia and five children with his two baby Mamas – Pero Adeniyi and Sumbo Ajala.

He is the ninth richest musician in Africa with an estimated net worth of $16.5 million.

10.Paul Okoye (Rudeboy)

Paul Okoye (known as Rudeboy), born on November 18, 1981, in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria is one of the P-Square twins. P-Square came into existence when Paul started doing business with his twin brother, Peter (Mr P).

In 2016, they separated and started doing music individually. One of his solo tracks “Reason With Me” is a popular song of his that pulled the highest crowd on YouTube in the whole of Africa, in 2019 – he also launched his record label, Fire Department Inc. in the same year.

Rudeboy is the tenth richest musician in Africa with an estimated net worth of $16 million.

Conclusion

Some African styles of music include Kizomba, Makossa, Juju, Amapiano, Fuji, Afrobeat, Highlife and so many more. Most of these musicians have changed the course of world music and are representing the continent. These top richest musicians in Africa are writing their names in the sands of time, and are taking Africa to the next level.

ALSO, READ Top 10 Richest Countries In Africa