Nigerian singer Bella Shmurda has addressed the issue of rising performance fees among Nigerian artistes, stating that high expenditures are a key factor in their pricing. In a recent interview with Naija FM Lagos, Bella Shmurda explained that musicians incur significant costs for behind-the-scenes staff, music production, and promotion, as well as maintaining an expensive lifestyle as a public figure.
The artiste noted that making music is a costly endeavor, with expenses including clothing, producers, songwriters, engineers, music videos, and promotional activities. Citing his own experience, Bella Shmurda revealed that he spent $100,000 on producers, songwriters, and engineers for his album, which translates to over N100 million. Adding music videos and promotion costs, the total expenditure is substantial.
Bella Shmurda emphasized that when performing at shows, he charges fees that enable him to recover his production costs, ensuring that his investments are covered, even if he does not make a profit. He argued that from the artiste’s perspective, their performance fees are not excessive, but rather a reflection of the significant expenses incurred in creating and promoting their music.
The issue of performance fees has been a topic of discussion in the Nigerian music industry, with some critics arguing that artistes are overcharging for their services. However, Bella Shmurda’s comments highlight the financial realities of being a musician, where high expenditures are a necessary part of producing and promoting music. As the music industry continues to evolve, it is likely that the issue of performance fees will remain a subject of debate among artistes, promoters, and fans.
