Maverick artist Seun Kuti has raised eyebrows regarding the sources of wealth among his peers in the music industry. During a recent Instagram Live session, Kuti expressed skepticism about the financial success of some fellow musicians, suggesting that their substantial wealth is unlikely to come solely from their musical endeavors.
He highlighted a striking contrast in his own experience, noting that despite touring for over two decades, he is only now in the process of building his first home. Meanwhile, he observed that artists with fewer than two successful songs seem to be living lavishly. Kuti questioned, “I have been touring for over 20 years, and I’m only just building my first house. Where is the music money coming from? Musician never get two songs, he don buy Lamborghini and G-wagon. Where’s this music money coming from?”
According to Gistlover, there has been a growing trend among Nigerian artists boasting about the profitability of the music industry. Rapper Shallipopi previously stated in an interview that there are significant financial opportunities within the sector, noting that his own success followed the release of several hit songs. Additionally, singer Portable has claimed that the music industry offers more financial gain than rituals, fraud, and even football. Kuti’s comments have sparked discussions about the realities of wealth in the music industry and the factors contributing to it.