Nigerian singer, Bella Shmurda, has opened up on the reasons behind the high performance fees charged by many artistes in the country.
In a recent interview with Naija FM Lagos, the music star explained that musicians often demand large sums for shows because of the huge costs involved in creating and promoting their work.
According to him, artistes spend a significant portion of their income paying the many professionals who work with them behind the scenes, including producers, songwriters, and engineers.
“Speaking from the perspectives 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 N100 million. Not to mention music videos and promotion costs. That’s a lot,” he said.
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The singer added that their performance fees are not inflated but reflect the high cost of production and maintenance of their public image.
“So, I go for a show, I would charge what would equate my investments. Even if I don’t make profit, I should at least be able to recover the cost of production. So, we are not overcharging. If you look at it from our own perspective, you will agree that we are not overcharging,” he explained.
Bella Shmurda also noted that the luxurious lifestyle associated with being an artiste is often necessary to maintain their image and brand value in the entertainment industry.
His comments come amid growing discussions about the soaring performance fees of Nigerian musicians, which have become a major topic of debate among fans and event organizers alike.
