Bella Shmurda Explains Why Nigerian Artists Charge Big
Nigerian singer Bella Shmurda has defended the high performance fees charged by artists, saying the cost reflects the heavy expenses involved in making and promoting music.
Speaking in a recent interview with Naija FM, Lagos, the Cash App crooner said many artists spend large sums on production, promotion, and their teams, leaving little room for profit.
“Speaking from the perspective of an artiste, making music is expensive. I don’t repeat clothes because I’m a public figure. I spent $100,000 to pay producers, songwriters, and engineers that worked on my album — that’s over ₦100 million. Not to mention music videos and promotion costs. That’s a lot,” he said.
Bella explained that artists charge what they believe matches their investment, insisting that the fees are justified.
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“So, when I go for a show, I charge what equates my investment. Even if I don’t make a profit, I should at least recover the cost of production. We are not overcharging. If you look at it from our perspective, you’ll understand,” he added.
The singer also noted that maintaining a public image adds to the financial pressure, as entertainers are expected to look good and live up to fan expectations.
