Africa is home to many talented individuals, particularly in the field of music. There are a sizable number of successful musicians on the continent that have left their mark in the field. The overwhelming majority of the musicians on this list have achieved extraordinary success as singers. This has also been mirrored in how they have accumulated enormous amounts of wealth throughout the course of their musical career.
Since the beginning of time, people have revered African music for its upbeat rhythms, potent lyrics, and lively dancing moves. African music has significantly improved through time and is currently gaining more acceptability and attention on a global scale. The dedication, determination, and inventiveness of African artists, who strive tirelessly to ensure that every sound from the continent is distinct and of the highest caliber, are the driving forces behind these encouraging improvements.
Top 10 Richest Musicians In Africa 2024
10. Timaya -$12 Million
Timaya, also known as Inetimi Timaya Odon, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and musician who was born on August 15, 1980, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Timaya is originally from Bayelsa State in Nigeria, despite the fact that he was born there. He is the youngest member of a large family of fifteen children.
Timaya decided to stick with K-Solo as his music producer after the success of his debut single Dem Mama since he had written seven songs just for Timaya for his first album. The album was a national hit when it was released in 2007.
9. Paul Okoye -$16 Million
Paul Okoye, commonly known as Rudeboy or King Rudy, was born on November 18, 1981, in Nigeria and is a musician, performer, and producer. He was raised in Nigeria’s Anambra State after being born in Jos, Plateau State. He gained notoriety as a result of his involvement in the P-Square organization, which he and his twin brother formed. Paul Okoye and his brother attended St. Murrumba Secondary School in Jos, Plateau State, for their secondary school.
They enrolled at the Music and Drama School, where they began to perform and dance to songs by musicians such Bobby Brown, Michael Jackson, and many more. Both Peter and Paul, who are identical, were accepted to the University of Abuja, where they finished their tertiary studies. The song with the most views on YouTube at the time of its release in 2019 was his popular single, Reason With Me.
8. 2Face Idibia -$16.5 Million
Innocent A well-known Nigerian R&B performer, singer, songwriter, stage performer, recording artist, and entrepreneur is Ujah Idibia, also known as 2Face Idibia or 2Baba. He started creating songs and lyrics while attending IMT in Enugu. In 1996, 2face discontinued his studies to focus on a musical career. He first saw his stage moniker, 2 Face, on his music tracks at this precise time.
2baba does have a stage name, though. 2Face Idibia wed Annie Macaulay, a Nollywood actress, on May 2nd, 2012. Nino, Justin, Isabella, Ross, and Among the six beautiful children of the union is innocent Idibia. In the music industry, 2Face Idibia has received numerous awards in the last two years.
7. Burna Boy -$17 Million
Nigerian singer and musician Burna Boy started his career in the music business in 2010. After his top-charting song “Like to Party” was released in 2012, he rose to notoriety within the music industry. The popular song was however included in his new album L.I.F.E, which was published in 2013. He has received a Grammy award among many other honors.
He also had an appearance in the 2019 edition of Apple Music Up Next Artist. Many people think that Burna Boy and Fela Kuti, The King of Afro Beat, are linked. Burna Boy is now seeing Stefflon Don, a British artist and songwriter who is also in a relationship. Burna Boy is not yet married.
6. Don Jazzy -$18 Million
One of the most popular musicians in Africa is Don Jazzy. In Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria, on November 26, 1982, Michael Collins Ajereh was born. He is a businessman, actor, singer, and record producer from Nigeria. In 2004, Don Jazzy and D-Banj co-founded the music publishing company Mo’Hits Records.
He made the decision to start Mavins Records in 2012, and since then, he has signed singers such as Tiwa Savage, Di’Ja, Reekado Banks, Korede Bello, and many others to the company. For four years running, Don Jazzy has been named Producer of the Year.
5. Davido -$20 Million
On November 21st, 1992, David Adedeji Adeleke was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States. He is a singer, songwriter, and record producer from Nigeria, though. His record company, DMW Record, is his. A contract with Sony Music Entertainment was also inked by him. Along with his brother Adeleke Adewale, he also shares ownership of the musical label HKN Music. He is regarded as one of Africa’s wealthiest musicians.
Davido has said that despite coming from a wealthy family, all of his wealth comes from his music and sponsorship deals. Davido has endorsement agreements with companies like MTN, Infinix Mobile, and Guinness Nigeria.
4. Wizkid -$21 Million
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, better known as Wizkid, was born on July 16, 1990, in Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria. He is a musician and artist from Nigeria who started out in the church choir when he was just 11 years old. 2009 saw his signing to Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E. ), Banky W’s record company. After his song Holla at Your Boy was released, Wizkid became well-known. Then, in 2013, he launched Starboy Entertainment, his record label.
After the release of his song One Dance with Drake in 2016, which topped the charts in 15 different nations, he rose to prominence on a global scale. Beyonce also includes Wizkid on her song Brown Skin Girl. As the first artist to be featured in Afrobeats from Africa in 2018, Wizkid was acknowledged by Guinness World Records. Through his endorsement agreements with well-known companies like Pepsi, Guinness, Glo, and MTN, Wizkid makes a sizable fortune.
3. Black Coffee -$60 Million
On March 11th, 1976, in South Africa, Nkosinathi Inno Maphumulo, better known as Black Coffee, was born. Black Coffee is a record producer and DJ. Additionally, he is the owner of Soulistic Music Record Label, a record company. The most popular musician from South Africa is him.
Black Coffee is well-known throughout the world and has won countless honors in both South Africa and other countries. In 2015, he won the awards for Breakthrough DJ of the Year.
2. Akon -$80 Million
Akon is a Senegalese-American musician, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur, and actor. He was born Aliaume Damala Akon Thiam in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 16, 1973. Lady Gaga and T-Pain were signed by Akon’s two record labels, which he owns. According to reports, he sold more than 35 million copies of his albums and songs throughout the years.
Akon has also worked as a musician and song producer with Snoop Dogg and Michael Jackson. Twice, he was able to occupy two positions on the Hot 100 Billboard charts. Akon has additionally received five straight Grammy Award nominations. Additionally, he holds the record for being the most well-known musician to sell master ringtones globally according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
1. Youssou N’Dour -$145 Million
Youssou N’Dour is a Senegalese musician, singer, actor, entrepreneur, and politician. He began his musical career in 1979, has been a part of the music business for more than 40 years, and still makes millions of dollars from it. In 2005, his album Egypt won the Grammy for Best Contemporary World Music Album, one of several honors he has received.
His voice, according to the New York Times, had a striking tenor and was wielded with prophetic authority. Youssou N’Dour is the owner of a record label and a TV station. Additionally, he owns a number of eateries and the “Youssou N’Dour Seduction” clothing line. Youssou N’Dour was named Senegal’s Minister of Culture and Tourism in April 2012. An estimate of the musician’s wealth puts it at $145 million.