By Oyinkansayo Wole-Bodunde.
Seun Kuti, a veteran musician, has sparked controversy in the music industry by questioning the legitimacy of his colleagues’ wealth.
During a recent Instagram Live session, Kuti expressed skepticism about the sources of income of some artistes, suggesting that their wealth may not be solely from music.
Kuti, who has been touring for over 20 years, revealed that he is only now building his first house, prompting him to wonder how others have accumulated such wealth. “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?” he asked.
His comments come amidst boasts from fellow Nigerian artistes about the lucrative nature of the music industry. Rapper Shallipopi previously stated in an interview that the industry has brought him significant financial success, saying, “there’s so much money in the music industry.” Singer Portable also claimed that the music industry offers more financial rewards than rituals, fraud, and football.
Kuti’s remarks have brought debate about the authenticity of the wealth claimed by some musicians, with many interpreting his statements as a call for transparency and accountability within the industry.
By sharing his own experiences and questioning the sources of his colleagues’ wealth, Kuti has sparked a necessary conversation about the financial realities of the music industry and the potential for external influences or unreported income streams.
