Africa’s top 10 music money-makers of 2017

May 15, 2017May 16, 2017 Gova-Media

Who are the Africa’s top music money-makers of 2017 according to Channel O (the South African based music cable station) and Forbes Africa ?
Channe O and Forbes Africa have made the list according to the following factors of selection: endorsements, brand value, earnings, bookings, popularity, and social media presence.

1. Akon – Senegal

CEO of Konvict Music and multiple brand ambassador, Akon is one of the world’s biggest stars. He’s had collaborations with big names such as Eminem, Lady Gaga…He has recently been involved in social accounts on Africa with the Akon Lighting Africa project, which aims to bring electricity to millions households in Africa with solar energy.

2. Black Coffee – South Africa

Black Coffee, real name Nkosinathi Maphumulo, has put South African house music on the world map. Native of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), he was raised in the Eastern Cape province. He is probably the most prominent electronic music producer in Africa.

3. Hugh Masekela – South Africa

This world-renowned flugelhornist, trumpeter, bandleader, composer and singer has released more than 43 albums and performed with Marvin Gaye, Dizzy Gillespie, The Byrds, Fela Kuti, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder and Miriam Makeba. He is well know for his anti-apartheid songs such as “Soweto Blues” and “Bring Him Back Home”.

4. Don Jazzy – Nigeria.

Don Jazzy, music producer and recording artist, is the CEO of Mavin Records home to D Prince and Tiwa Savage. One of his big contributions is “Oliver Twist” of D’Banj, and “Collabo” ft P Square. He is also a business man with his lucrative deals with MTN and Samsung and other brands.

5. Tinashe – Zimbabwe

Born from a Zimbabwean father and Danish mother, Tinashe was a child model by the age of three. She made her first appearance in 2000 in the film Cora Unashamed and her voice starred in the cartoon feature film The Polar Express alongside Oscar-winning actor, Tom Hanks.

6. Jidenna – Nigeria

By the age of 10, Jidenna Theodore Mobisson knew he wanted to do music but was afraid to tell his father who wanted him to be an engineer. It was just as well that his name means embracing the father. His biggest hit to date is “Classic Man” ft. Roman GianArthur. The song has over 56 million views on youtube.

7. Wizkid – Nigeria

Wizkid the current king of African music ! Grammy Award-winning artist, his single “Ojuelegba” has impressed many such as Drake with whom he made a remix, and Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz who danced to it. He recently collaborated with Drake on “One Dance” which has had such an impressive success in 2016 !

8. Davido – Nigeria.

Since 2011, Davido hasn’t stopped impressing us with so many hit songs: Dami Duro, Skelewu…co-owner of HKN Music, a record label which has produce several Nigerian artists such as Tiwa Savage and Skales. “It was people like [Nigerian music veterans] P-Square and D’Banj who made me believe that all this was possible,” he recalls.

9. Sarkodie – Ghana.

Sarkodie took the Ghana music industry to the top ! With over 14 awards, he has won props from Tim Westwood to Ludacris. Sarkodie is also a youth ambassador in Ghana. He’s established the Sarkodie Foundation to tackle the plight of the homeless and needy children in his country.

Sarkodie knows business ! He has his clothing label Sark clothing. He is a brand ambassador to electronics giant Samsung, and has deals with Ghanaian ice cream production company Fan Milk Ghana.

10. Oliver Mtukudzi – Zimbabwe

With 65 albums under his belt,Oliver (Tuku) Mtukudzi has a remarkable career stretching back 41 years with songs that have represented Africa all arround the world.