In a recent report, the American business magazine Forbes announced that Davido, one of Nigeria’s most influential Afrobeats singers, is the richest artist in Africa in 2024. This ranking not only included Davido but also featured other prominent names from the entertainment industry. The news sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians, with many fans expressing surprise and disagreement over the ranking. Some supporters believed that their favorite artists deserved the top spot instead.
Fans of Nigerian music stars Ayodeji Balogun, known as Wizkid, and Damini Ogulu, popularly called Burna Boy, were particularly upset when Forbes declared Davido, whose full name is David Adeleke, as Africa’s richest artist in 2024. According to Forbes, Davido tops the list with a net worth of $100 million, followed by Don Jazzy with $50 million. Burna Boy holds third place with $30 million, Wizkid ranks fourth with $25 million, and Rema takes fifth place with $15 million.
The list, published by the American business magazine, drew a lot of attention online. As Rema had previously stated in one of his songs, the era of the “Big Three” seems to be over, as he now joins the top artists in Africa. The inclusion of these names on the list caused tension among fans,
Fans of Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Rema flooded social media with their thoughts. Some defended the rankings, while others felt that the positions were unfair. The debates among these fan bases only intensified as Forbes’ report gained traction across social platforms.
One social media user, @iamtrinityguy, commented, “We will always stand by you, baddest ❤️❤️❤️❤️,” showing full support for Davido. Another user, @nene_george, remarked, “Some people won’t like this… Wizkid’s fans are still sleeping, let’s wait for them to wake up.”
Others shared their thoughts humorously. @dascopeman wrote, “That means Davido could buy Wizkid and Burna and still have change left😂😂😂.”
Meanwhile, @ayomide_076 commented, “Burna Boy must be laughing right now 😂😂,” perhaps suggesting that Burna Boy wouldn’t take the list too seriously. On a similar note, @jay.sam7 stated, “Now you all know Davido has more money than all of them, keep playing. 001 richest 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥,”
Another user, @rogzzy_billz, concluded, “That’s not something that should ever be debated, it’s obvious!”
Many feel strongly about their favorite artists’ success and recognition, leading to heated discussions whenever such rankings are released. However, despite the differing opinions, it’s clear that Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Rema all hold significant influence in the Afrobeats genre and continue to represent African music on the global stage.
