LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)-
Nigerian singer Johnny Drille has pulled back the curtain on the harsh reality of music streaming in Africa, revealing that artists in Nigeria earn a fraction of what their counterparts make in the UK, even with the same number of streams.
The Mavin Records artist highlighted the financial struggles many Nigerian musicians face in the digital era, calling attention to the massive disparity in streaming revenue between Nigeria and countries like the United Kingdom.
In a recent video chat, the soulful singer shared that a million streams generated in Nigeria could earn an artist as little as $300, while the same figure from the UK might bring in as much as $5,000.
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“If your one million streams are from Nigeria, it’s probably like $300. But the same number from the UK could be around $5,000,” Drille explained.
Despite the bleak numbers, Johnny Drille encouraged aspiring artists not to be discouraged. He urged them to stay committed to their craft and recognize that most income in the Nigerian music industry still comes from live performances, endorsements, and breaking into international markets, not streaming alone.
“It might be tough early on, but if you believe this is your path, just keep pushing. At some point, it will happen for you,” he said with optimism.
While streaming may not be the goldmine many envision for African artists, Johnny Drille’s honesty has left many fans shocked by how geographical location can drastically affect payouts from major streaming platforms.
