Forbes’ list of the Top 10 African Acts For 2017 have been released and it features the following music acts; Akon, Black Coffee Hugh Masekela, Don Jazzy, Tinashe, Jidenna, Wizkid, Davido, Sarkodie, Mtukudzi. Forbes factored in their endorsement value, popularity, show rates, sales, awards, YouTube views, appearance in newspapers, investment, social media presence, influence and many more.
Profile of the top 10
1. AKON
Akon has over 35 million albums sold worldwide. He has won numerous awards including five Grammy Award nominations and has 45 Billboard Hot 100 songs under his belt. He tops the list according to Forbes Africa.
2. BLACK COFFEE, SOUTH AFRICA
The multi-award-winning artist’s real name is Nkosinathi Maphumulo. He was born in South Africa’s house music province, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and raised in the Eastern Cape province, where Nelson Mandela hailed from, before moving back to KZN to study music.
3. HUGH MASEKELA, SOUTH AFRICA
Hugh was born in Witbank, east of Johannesburg. He has released more than 43 albums and performed with Marvin Gaye, Dizzy Gillespie, The Byrds, Fela Kuti, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder and Miriam Makeba.
4. DON JAZZY, NIGERIA
Don Jazzy is ranked fourth richest in Africa and also first in Nigeria. Like many artists, his real name is Michael Collins Ajereh, and he started playing music as a child in church before moving to the UK to pursue his career.
5. TINASHE, ZIMBABWE-AMERICAN
Tinashe was a child model by the age of three. The twenty-four-year-old sang before she could talk and made her first appearance in 2000 in the film Cora Unashamed. Her voice also starred in the cartoon feature film The Polar Express alongside Oscar-winning actor, Tom Hanks.
6. JIDENNA, NIGERIAN-AMERICAN
By the age of 10, Jidenna Theodore Mobisson knew he wanted to do music but was afraid to tell his father who wanted him to be an engineer. He is ranked sixth according to Forbes Africa.
7. WIZKID, NIGERIA
Wizkid is arguably currently the uncrowned king of African music. Grammy Award-winning artist, Alicia Keys and husband Swizz Beatz, danced to his songs Ojuelegba and Caro, with Keys posting a video on her Instagram account with the caption, “This song makes me happy”. Kylie Jenner also posted a video of herself dancing to Wizkid’s music on Snapchat.
8. DAVIDO, NIGERIA
Davido has claimed a high status in just five years. He said it was people like P-Square and D’Banj who made him believe this was possible. He became famous for his widely acclaimed 2012 debut album “Omo Baba Olowo”.
9. SARKODIE, GHANA
Michael Owusu Addo started out as an underground rapper and through the help of Duncan Williams, his former manager, his career was launched. Staying true to his identity, he is a big advocate of Azonto, a Ghanaian genre that is said to have been born out of Kpanlogo, a traditional dance.
His first single off his fourth album, Mewu, sold almost 4,000 copies on the first day of its release in Ghana. He was also the first Ghanaian to win a BET award.
10. OLIVER MTUKUDZI, ZIMBABWE
Oliver Tuku Mtukudzi has 65 albums under his belt, more than the legendary Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston. It’s a remarkable career stretching back 41 years with songs that have enlivened parties all over the world. He is ranked 10th richest musician in Africa.
Burna Boy, Davido, to join 2face in nationwide protest against the Nigerian Government.
Nigerian music acts, Davido and Burnaboy have indicated their interest in protesting against the Federal Government come February, 2017. The call was made by their colleague, Innocent ‘2face’ Idibia few days ago who took to his Instagram page to announce his intention to remonstrate against the bad leadership and mismanagement of funds and recovered monies. His post below:
‘FIRST MASSIVE NATIONWIDE PROTESTS ON THE 5TH OF FEBRUARY, 2017.
A call for good governance.
A call for urgent explanation into the reckless economic downturn nationwide.
A call for nationwide protests as we say No to the Executive, No to legislatures, No to judiciary… You have all failed us.
We the people are tired. We can no longer continue with all of you. All your excuses and mistakes are not funny. We do not wish to continue with a system and government that is not working but afflicting the people. We the people of this country not living under the privileges of government allowances and remuneration have now accepted to take the bull by the horn to come out and protest this obnoxious and baseless policies and excuses of the government of the day.
Where are the recovered looted funds?
Why do we still have the executive arms and legislatures still enjoying their salaries and allowances while we hear there’s no money to pay workers?
Why do we still see ceaseless power failures with no explanation and hope of getting out of it unlike before?
Why do we keep seeing peace talks in Niger Delta, fulani heardsmen and ipob without any solutions being reached, while the strategies keeps aggravating the people involved as political leaders stage forums to extort funds in the name of addressing their subjects?
Why did we have petrol price rise to 145 for the sake of global oil price crash and removal of subsidy but such price is still being maintained despite significant re-awakening of the oil price from $30/barrel to $56/barrel?
Who is to be held accountable for the sudden and continuous hike in price of commodities in the market, where for the first time in history, Nigeria is suddenly selling kerosene at 400 naira per litre as against 50 naira per litre, diesel at 300 naira per litre as against 100 naira per litre and petrol from 87 naira to 145 naira? Yet maintaining the same systems, environment and maybe a lesser money spending government.
There’s need for Nigerians to rise against what is happening in this country having waited patiently for the legislatures that were elected to represent the people all to no avail.’
Adducing reasons for his decision, 2baba as fondly called said, “I am blessed to have a platform that allows me to reach a lot of people at a time. I believe this voice also comes with a responsibility to use it to speak up for my people. So, when I received the broadcasts that had been going round for some days calling for protests against the state of the country I posted it in a show of support.
“My intention was never to take credit for the movement but rather amplify the voices of the organization credited with the widely circulated message.
“To my colleagues that have joined their voices to this call, thank you for showing the Nigerian people they are not alone. I remain committed to contributing to the well being of my people in any little way I can. One love! #WeWillProtest”
Davido goes hard on music critic
Davido is one artiste with absolutely no form of chill, infact he lost it eons ago.
The singer unleashed fury on a music critic, Osagie Alonge who questioned his protégé, Mayourkun’s youtube views. The new DMW artiste’s recently released video titled Eleko garnered more than 1million views in the space of 10 days, a feat Osagie found laughable. He opined that even Davido himself cannot boast of such milestone let alone a relatively new artiste.
“How come you from nowhere, you drop your video and you hit a million views, fam it is not possible. Don’t call a dog a monkey for us.” Osagie stated.
The OBO crooner wasted no time in firing shots at him. “Make a video talkin about niggas half
your age!! Who u epp?? Better take time before dem match u! Keep my name out ur
mouth PUNK!!” he tweeted
your age!! Who u epp?? Better take time before dem match u! Keep my name out ur
mouth PUNK!!” he tweeted
Just like that? Davido doles out cash to fan for saying 'God Bless You'.
We know celebs love giving back but this gesture is on another level. So a fan of the singer took to her Instagram page to share how the singer
rewarded her with some wads of cash just for saying a simple prayer for him.
“Oh well… All because I told @davidoofficial ‘God bless him’ he decided to dash me 50k
he is not using. God bless Davido.” The lucky fan wrote.
Please Davido, can i do a blog post on how God will bless you?lol
Davido floats new record label?
If his recent social media post is
anything to go by, then Davido might be officially cutting ties with
HKN Music.
anything to go by, then Davido might be officially cutting ties with
HKN Music.
The OBO singer has
unveiled his new record label, ‘Davido Music Worldwide’ on instagram. Although he is yet to
make an official statement on the new development, he shared the logo with the
caption, ‘Movement’. The new label which is solely owned by him has one of his latest acts, Mayourkun signed on it. However, it is difficult to ascertain what the
future holds for HKN and the artistes signed on the label.
unveiled his new record label, ‘Davido Music Worldwide’ on instagram. Although he is yet to
make an official statement on the new development, he shared the logo with the
caption, ‘Movement’. The new label which is solely owned by him has one of his latest acts, Mayourkun signed on it. However, it is difficult to ascertain what the
future holds for HKN and the artistes signed on the label.
Davido is the first Nigerian celebrity to have 1 million followers on Instagram
Multiple award-winning singer, David ‘Davido’ Adeleke yesterday became the first Nigerian celebrity to have one million followers on photo-sharing site, Instagram.
Fan returns Davido's lost gold custom necklace
Yesterday was a memorable day for music act, David ‘Davido’ Adeleke having taken home the best male artiste of the year gong at the 2015 MAMA Awards. Caught up in the excitement of clinching the prize, Omo Baba Olowo as he’s fondly called lost his gold custom necklace which he made for thousands of dollars.
A fan of the HKN head honcho found the chain and told him to come pick it up on Instagram. Kind of him!
Davido on NDLEA's radar
Multiple award winning act, David ‘Davido’ Adeleke is on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)’s radar for showcasing hard drugs in the video of his new song ‘Fans mi’ featuring American rapper, Meek Mills.
The part that might get the hardworking artiste into trouble in the video was where he and his business partners were discussing over a briefcase of dollars and a bag full of hard drugs. Some fans and the NDLEA found it a bit offensive.
NDLEA’s Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju noted. “The agency considers the musical video ‘Fans Mi’ inappropriate and indecent. It has the tendency to negatively influence and induce drug use and trafficking. Besides, it is counter-productive on the campaign against drug production, trafficking and abuse. The agency is investigating the matter and will take necessary action.”
Davido welcomes baby girl with Dele Momodu's cousin
David ‘Davido’ Adeleke is now a father. The multiple award-winning artiste and his girlfriend Sophie Momodu welcomed their daughter few days ago.
Sophie is Ovation International magazine publisher, Dele Momodu’s cousin. The renowned writer congratulated the couple on instagram few minutes ago.
Davido is the most 'googled' Nigerian music artiste in 2014
Music superstar, David ‘Davido’ Adeleke has emerged the most searched music artiste on popular search engine, Google.com for the year 2014. Surprisingly, his nemesis, Wizkid didn’t make the top ten list.
Coming right after him is Phyno of the ‘Alobam’ movement. Next is Mavin Records Queen, Tiwa Savage. Ace music producer, Don Jazzy and singer, Timaya came fourth and fifth respectively.