Nigeria’s new millionaire: Net worth and lifestyle of our music acts

EXTRAVAGANCE is the luxury of the rich, penury that of the poor. This statement aptly captures the opulent lifestyle of many Nigerian music artistes, and this can be seen in their taste of abode and vehicles.

The Nigeria music industry is indeed one of the most popular and vibrant in world entertainment circuit.  Over the years, the industry has grown tremendously; producing interesting and high-quality products that keep listeners across the globe entranced.

The high standard of living of the artistes isenabled by the fat pays that attend to their acts; thus, making acquisition of luxury itemsand high tastes easy. While many of the music stars have gained recognition within and outside the shores of Nigeria, a number of them often make huge statements; breaking new grounds in terms of how they appear in public.

Some of these music stars are household names, deserving the fame they already possess; hence, they align themselves to the popular saying: “you are addressed the way you are dressed.”

Not only do these famous and rich Nigerian musicians make money for themselves, they also help to enhance the country’s reputation; they are the real Nigerian ambassadors to the world. This was affirmed when Forbes, a global media company, focusing on business, investment, lifestyle and other issues,listed some of these artistes as part of the richest musicians in Africa.

Today, most of these musicians are living the dream-life, all thanks to the successes they have recorded in their individual career. They enjoy frequent andprofitable tours of Europe, America and African cities; this is aside raking massive money from owning record labels, as well as profiting from endorsement deals and celebrities signed under them.

These musicians are no doubt the newest class of Millionaires in the country; and by extension, the continent.

Naija Times profiles some of these artistes and their net worth, looking at Forbes 2020 report.

Don Jazzy — $30 million.

MAVIN Records chief executive, Michael Collins Ajereh, who is better known as Don Jazzy or Don Baba J in the entertainment industry tops the list. The record producer, singer, songwriter, entrepreneur and philanthropist, according to a Forbes report released this year (2020), leads the list with a net worth estimated at $30 million.

Born November 26, 1982, he co-founded the now defunct record label Mo’ Hits Records in 2004, which had D’banj, Wande Coal, Da Prince, and Dr Sid on it. The label was disbanded following the departure of D’banj, who got signed to Good Music label owned by America super star, Kanye West.

Following the cessation of Mo’Hits in March 2012, Don Jazzy floated Supreme Mavin Dynasty Music Records, better known as Mavin Records on May 7, 2012, and presently accommodates singers like Dr. Sid, D’Prince, Korede Bello, Rema, Johnny Drille, POE, and recently signed Crayon.

The label also served as a home to Wande Coal, Tiwatope Savage (African bad girl), better known as ‘Tiwa Savage’ and Reekado Banks. On May8, 2012, Don Jazzy released an album featuring the artistes signed to the label. The songs on the album included: Amarachi, Forever, Oma Ga, Take Banana, Chocolate, YOLO and the anthem I’m a MAVIN.

The entertainment mogul had in November last year unveiled his multimillion naira Mavin Corporate Headquarters mansion tagged ‘Mavin Creative Studios’ located in Lekki Lagos, which he said was a birthday gift to himself. The property is valued at N160 million.

As one of the richest celebrities in Africa, it is not surprising for Don jazzy to have lots of other luxuries. His Banana Island mansion is worth N150 million, even as his garage contains the most luxurious car models.

In his collection of wonder on wheels is a black Cadillac Escalade that has his name boldly written on the bulky but solid vehicle, worth ₦26 million. The hybrid auto delivers top performance figures with its 420HP 6.2-liter V8 engine, which gives off that unique Escalade sound.

The vehicle, which is also built with top tech features like the wireless device charging system, high-speed connectivity using wifi hotspot, standard Apple Carplay, and Android Auto has other safety features such as a 360-degree camera, an active park assist, a rear-seat occupant reminder, and forward collision warning with an automatic braking system.

The bulky well-built SUV is unsurprisingly 17 feet in overall length and just about 5500 pounds curb weight. With quality as a priority, the genuine leather materials and natural wood trims lining the interior, as well as massaging and heated seats cap it off.

Also in his garage is a Bentley Continental Flying Spur. The ₦70 million auto-on-wheels, comes with a 616hp W12 configuration engine that utilises an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) power train and an eight-speed automatic transmission system. Its interior is grand and bespoke with quality leather covering up the seats and pore wood trims lining up the cabin.

The touchscreen infotainment system and other amazing technologies like the digital TV tuner, screen for back seat, 11-speaker Naim sound system distinguish it from other wonder-on-wheels seen around. The license plate reads ‘Mavin’, his record label.

 Don Baba J,  as he is fondly called, also has a Range Rover Sport, which he got for ₦23 million. The black SUV is an outstanding luxurious vehicle with a spectacular cabin that is not just captivating but is made low-pitched with concurrent surfaces.It is built with a 5-liter supercharged all-aluminum V8 Jaguar engine that delivers nothing less than 510HP. Again, the piece is built with technology that fits the class, like the speed-sensitive steering system, the active cruise control, the forward alert system complemented with front bumper radar that assists in spotting vehicles ahead, as well as adjust the vehicles speed to match the prevailing condition on the road.

The sport utility van has amazing safety features, which include adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, lane keep assist, and perpendicular park assist.

Also in the music chief’s collection is a Porsche 911 Carrera, a two-door, 2+2 high-performance rear-engine sports car, which cost him ₦32 million. Reaching a top speed of 190mph and accelerating from 0-62mph in just 4.6 seconds, the car is one of the most expensive pieces in Don Jazzy’s car collection.

 Placed in the rear of this endearing sleek vehicle is a twin-turbo 3-liter six-cylinder engine that delivers a 443HP and 390 lb-ft torque, using an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Its interior reeks of affluence and luxury with standard safety features like knee airbags, side-impact airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability control, seat belt pre-tensioners, and overhead airbags.

With a career spanning the history of modern Nigerian music industry, he has won numerous awards, including:  Producer of the Year, Nigerian Music Awards (2006), Music Producer of the Year, Nigerian Entertainment Awards (2007); Producer of the Year for Over The Moon, Mr. Endowed and Pop Something, The Headies 2011, Producer of the Year for Dorobucci, The Headies 2014 and Special Recognition Award, City People Entertainment Award (2015).

Aside from the numerous laurels, he was respected for his work with international star, Kanye West in the  production of the song Lift Off on the album Watch the Throne.

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2Face Idibia (2Baba) — $22.5 million

UNDOUBTEDLY the most respected music artiste in today’s Nigerian music industry, Innocent Ujah, popularly known as 2Face Idibia or 2Baba, is a singer, songwriter, record producer and entrepreneur from Benue State.

The revered Africa Queen crooner is the only solo musician that has successfully released back to back hits for over a decade. He is one of the longest reigning hitmakers, having spent over 20 years. He had transited to a successful solo career from  thethree-man group Plantainshun Boys made up of himself, Blackface (Ahmedu Augustine Obiabo) and Faze (Chibuzor Orji).

Often called a ‘living legend’ by bloggers and social media reporters, 2Baba is one of the richest and most influential artistesin Africa with an estimated net worth of $22.5 million. He has multimillion naira endorsements in his kitty with several top multinational and local brands like Coca-Cola, Campari, Guinness, Globacom, Oraimo, Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE), Nigerian Breweries, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and others.

 In his role as NSE Good Cause Ambassador, the music super star uses his talent to raise awareness and mobilise for the support of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability initiatives of the NSE geared toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in Nigeria.

 As one of Nigeria’s new millionaires, 2Baba is reported to own luxury properties, with a street named after him in the exclusively rich-reserved Richmond Gate Estate in Lekki, Lagos, which is best described as Nigeria’s ‘Beverley Hills’.

He acquired the palatial home with five-unit bedroom, a gym, mini studio, two sitting rooms, and a terrace, among other personalised components in 2014 from Haven Homes, a Lagos-based real estate company at over N400 million.

A lover of wonder on wheels, the pop legend is reported to cruise around town with some fortune costing autos including a Bentley worth N70 million, a Ferrari valued at over N50 million, a Mercedes Benz G-Wagon worth N45 million, a Chevrolet Corvette, a wedding gift when he got when got married to his wife, Annie, which is valued at N36 million and a Range Rover Sport worth N27 million.

  Following the success of his debut solo hit single, African Queen, he was gifted with a Lincoln Navigator believed to have cost N10 million at the time, whilst signed to Kennis Music, a record label co-owned by Kenny Ogungbe and Dayo Adeneye of Primetime Jamz.

  In 2006, his critical-acclaimed song African Queen was used in the soundtrack for the film Phat Girlz, which was released internationally. He was part of the Sony All African One8 Project alongside seven other musicians across Africa recording a single with R. Kelly and Prince Lee titled Hands Across the World.

  He is the first non-Liberian to become an honorary member of the Liberian music society in recognition for his outstanding contribution to the growth of music in Africa. In his effort to give back and impact the society, 2Baba established an NGO called The 2Baba Foundation, which motto is ‘Service to Humanity’.

  Formerly known as The 2Face Reachout Foundation, and eventually The 2Face Foundation, the foundation underwent a name change in September 2016, and is now known as The 2Baba Foundation. The foundation’s work is centred on nation building, peaceful co-existence, and accountability in governance.

  In January 2017, the Implication singer announced a partnership with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and made an initial donation of over US$11,000 to UNHCR for IDPs and returnees. The same year he released a dedicated IDP-awareness song titled Hold My Hand to mark the World Refugee Day, and promised 60 percent of the proceeds from the song to the IDP cause.

  He has also collaborated with other NGOs like The Nigerian RedCross Society, Enough is Enough (EiE – Office of the Citizen campaign), Youngstars Foundation and National Democratic Institute (for Vote Not Fight campaign).

   As a multiple award winning artiste, 2Baba has in his shelve the one MTV Europe Music Award, one World Music Award, five Headies Awards (formerly Hip-Hop award), four Channel O Music Video Awards and one BET award for his musical work, four MTV Africa Music Awards, one MOBO award, one KORA award, three Afrima Awards, and numerous additional nominations.

   On June 23 this year, the Unstoppable singer was appointed as the new Regional Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNCHR). He is the first Nigerian to receive such an appointment from UNHCR.

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Wizkid — $20 million

CONSTANTLY working hard on his career, hence his success and massive influence not only in Nigeria but also on the entire African continent, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, who is professionally known by the stage name Wizkid or StarBoy is one of Nigeria’s most popular music acts with an international reach.

  Known for his choice of exotic cars and luxury properties within and outside Nigeria worth millions of naira, the songwriter and record artiste is one of the young richest musicians in Nigeria with an estimated net worth around $20 million (N7.3 billion)

  He was reported to own a house in Surulere, Lagos valued at N13 million and another in Los Angeles, State of California, United States of America valued at millions of dollars. According to sources, the U.S luxurious mansion which was purchased in 2016 was estimated to have cost about $15 million.

  The three floors and Victorian style designed mansion is said to have many high-tech gadgets and an extremely large area for casual hangouts, as well as a large swimming pool where the Starboy Record chief likes spending time.

  In addition, the Caro and Ojuelegba singer was also reported to have acquired another home in Banana Island, where most Nigerian high net worth individuals live. The gossips say that the cost of the house is estimated to be $16 million dollars, a notch higher than the value of his American home.

  Born July 16, 1990, the former Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E) artiste has several endorsements to his names with brands in Nigeria and around the world. Some of these brands include Glo, Pepsi, Ciroc, Nike, and Dolce & Gabbana. In 2018, he was reported to have been paid $681,200 (N245.9 million) to perform in India at a Royal wedding at Umaid Bhawan Palace.

  The 30-year-old has a good taste for the cars, which he very often updates his garage with some of the sleek autos in the world including a Lamborghini, which reportedly cost him $200,000, and when converted to naira is N73 million.

  He also ball around town in a Mercedes Benz G63 AMG valued at ₦60 million, a Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible that cost between ₦45- ₦50 million, a Porsche Panamera worth N13 million, which he crashed in an accident, a BMW X6 valued at N11 million, and a Hyundai Sonata, which cost N6 million at the time of purchase.

  Recalled Wizkid began his musical career at the age 11 in a local church near his home, and he later joined a local band called the Glorious Five. He gained popularity with the release of his debut single, Holla at Your Boy, a song off his debut album, Superstar that was released in 2010. The song topped the charts in 15 countries making him Nigeria’s most successful pop artiste at the time.

  He was reported to have met the late music producer and singer, OJB Jezreel, during his struggling days and he became his mentor. He then started visiting Jezreel’s studio watching and learning from the recording acts like 2Face Idibia and Sound Sultan.

  He joined Banky W led E.M.E in 2009, and that same year he got his big break into the music industry. On March 5, 2013, the Socco singer announced the establishment of his own record label, Star Boy Entertainment, and also got endorsement deals with MTN and Guinness that same year.

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Davido — $16 million

BORN November 21, 1992 in Atlanta, United States of America and christened David Adedeji Adeleke is well known by his stage name Davido. The singer, songwriter and Davido Music World (DMW) label chief executive was raised in Lagos, Nigeria.

   He is reportedly the second richest musician in Nigeria according to Forbes 2020 Report. He made his music debut as a member of the music group KB International. His 2011 single Dami Duro was well-received throughout Nigeria.

   Though born with a silver spoon, his billionaire father, Tajudeen Adedeji Adeleke, is one of Nigerian’s richest men; hence his moniker Omo Baba Olowo (O.B.O). With hard work and dedication, he has been able to earn his own money rather than depending on his father’s wealth for survival.

   Along with his elder brother Adewale Adeleke, Davido co-founded HKN Music, a record label that is home to Sina Rambo, B. Red and DeeKay, which he later left to found DMW.

   Not just one of the richest music stars in Nigeria, Davido also has several millions of endorsement deals in kitty; his net worth is estimated at $16 million (₦8.5 Billion) according to Forbes 2020 report.

   The Assurance singer never fails to splurge or show his wealth. He is a proud owner of two houses, one in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, which reportedly cost him $20 million His second house located Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria is a N140 million mansion. The house is reported to have two floors aside from the basement, a Jacuzzi, swimming pool, and a well-equipped gym.

  The DMW boss no doubt has a large heart as he never fails to take care of artistes signed under his label. He was reported to have bought a mansion valued at N45 million for his producer and friend, Shinji.

   In May this year he reportedly acquired another mansion in highbrow Banana Island. According to the father of three, he got the money to buy the new house from singing about banana falling. “Moved to Banana with the money I made from singing about bananas falling someone….cruise,” he wrote on his Twitter handle @davido on May 30, 2020.

   A clear view of the multi-million naira mansion with an elevator was showed in a video that has surfaced on the internet. This was days after the musician announced that his hit single Fall was certified Gold in Canada and USA.

  In one of the photos, Davido stated that he has always wanted a home with a private lift. It is not clear how much the new crib costs, but the value of properties in the extremely exclusive area in Lagos cost billions of naira. Reports however put the value of the mansion at $1.5 million.

  The Afro-pop singer ranks as the 38th richest Instagram celebrity in the world and number one richest Instagram celebrity in Nigeria in 2019 with 11.8 million followers, while Wizkid was second. Each of Davido’s posts is valued at $74,000 (N26.6 million).

  As a celebrity with a good taste and lover of quality automobiles, the Fia crooner filled his garage with lovely collections of some exotic cars. They include Bentley Bentayga (₦108 million), Porsche Panamera Turbo S (₦22.8 million), Range Rover SV Autobiography (₦98 million), Chevrolet Camaro GS (₦9.4 million), Audi R8 (₦23.4 million), Mercedes-AMG GLS63 (₦45 million), Mercedes G-Wagon 2014-foreign-used (₦21 million) and Toyota Land Cruiser (₦30 million).

  It was reported that he acquired a 2019 Rolls Royce Cullinan, which is valued at ₦350 million, while his private jet stirred controversy on social media following claims by some fans that his net worth could not buy him a private jet yet.

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D’Banj — $13.5 million

OLADAPO Daniel Oyebanjo professionally known as D’banj or Koko Master is a singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He is touted one of Nigeria’s new millionaires and has put in a lot of work in his career with an achievement so far estimated to worth about $13.5 million (N5.8 billion) as of this year.

   Currently ranked fifth on the richest Nigerian musician list, the DB Records president at some point was the most influential and most widely known Nigerian musician until his relationship with his former producer and friend, Don Jazzy crashed.

   He has bagged so many endorsements deals in his career, which include, re-signing a multi-million naira deal with Globacom in November 2013. In June 2014, Bangalee, as he is also called, signed a deal with Heritage Bank, and was named official African ambassador for Beats by Dre in October 2014.

 In February 2015, the Tongolo singer was named the official African ambassador for Ciroc Nigeria, while in September the same year he was made the brand ambassador of SLOT. In the same year, he was commended by the World Bank Chief, Jim Yong Kim for using his music power, platform, and celebrity status to bring attention to serious and crucial issues in Africa with a special focus on agricultural development and poverty alleviation.

  For this feat, the United Nations appointed a Youth Ambassador for Peace and he is the first Nigerian to be decorated. Also, he was named ONE AFRICA campaign ambassador, and released the song Cocoa Na Chocolate in support of agricultural investments in the continent.

   The international superstar and entertainer is never far away from making huge statements and breaking new grounds in terms of how he appears. A disciple of the popular saying: “you are addressed the way you are dressed”, he takes interest in how he looks and appears.

   This obviously is an important factor in his decision to dress expensively, as he in a newspaper interview, confirmed he wears the same wristwatch as American rapper Jay-Z, valued at $50,000.

  As Eja Nla of the Nigerian entertainment industry, a sobriquet from one his song, the Mobolowo won crooner’s sense of taste and style is almost second to none, as he doesn’t disappoint but rep always.

  A lover of automobiles, which makes him a motorhead, Dbanj is known to have acquired some of the luxurious cars in the world for himself. This includes a 2015 Porsche Carrera valued at ₦33.2million.

  The car features a 350-560hp with Curb weight between 3,042-3,693lbs. Its Wheelbase is said to be 96.46-96.73, while the engine is 3.8L 6-cylinder. He also has a Ferrari F430 believed to have cost him ₦68 million,

  ‘Mr Mensah’ as he fondly called by his Ghanaian fans also cruises around town in two Aston Martin Vantage valued at ₦50 million each not forgetting his Bentley Continental GT priceless valued at ₦108 million.

  Other cars in garage include two Toyota Land Cruiser Prado worth ₦30 million and ₦52 million respectively; a Rolls-Royce Ghost said to have cost him $314,400 which when converted to Nigerian naira currency is ₦96,347,880 164 million, which he gifted himself on his 39^th birthday. It is reportedly the most expensive car in his garage.

  There is a Mercedes Benz AMG GT valued at ₦53.2 million, while he uses his American made luxury bike, Harley Davidson Bike said to have cost his ₦2.3 million for sport most times. Though he doesn’t like displaying the picture of his house publicly, his luxurious Koko mansion located in Lekki, Lagos is reportedly one of the best cribs owned by a Nigerian celebrity. He was seen taking a selfie in front of his U.S Koko mansion.

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Peter & Paul Okoye (defunct Psquare) —  $16.5 million & $15.4 million

THOUGH they may have been disbanded and each doing his own thing now, the list of new Nigeria millionaires will be incomplete without a mention of identical twins, Peter and Paul Okoye of the defunct P-Square fame.

   Born November 18, 1981, both artistes are reportedly worth $16.5 million and $15.4 million and follow one another on the revered list of the richest Nigerian musicians. For many years, they churned out lots of memorable super hits devoted to their fans, which earned them laurels at various music awards and events including ‘Artist of the Year’ at the KORA Awards held in Burkina Faso in 2010.

  The good time ended when the duo went their separate ways following a disagreement between them in 2016, over their manager’s role, who coincidentally is their older brother, Jude Okoye. While the group lasted, the duo co-owned exotic houses in Omole Estate and Banana Island, Lagos and a private jet that reportedly cost N15 billion.

   The Omole house, a twin duplex, was sold for a whopping N320 million. They tried resolving the difference and even released some of their new songs, but their misunderstanding became worse, and it became clear that the reconciliation would not last long.

  Following the group’s formal disbandment in 2017, Peter popularly known by his stage name Mr P, as a songwriter, went solo and has so far recorded several hit songs including; Look into my eyes, One more night, For my head among others.

   Peter has gained a few profitable endorsement deals with strong brands like Adidas, German famous sportswear, Olympic Milk, a diary brand, KIA Motors Nigeria since he went solo. He also started his own dance show, Glo Dance with Peter, and a partnership deal with the American distribution company Empire, as well as a deal with a record label based in San Francisco, California, United States of America.

  Known for his luxurious lifestyle, the dancer extraordinaire has good taste for cars, houses and he doesn’t hesitate to show them off on his social media handles. Unarguably one of the most stylish celebrities in Nigeria, his N1.5 billion Banana Island Ikoyi mansion is known for its pricey value, space and luxurious interior.

   The singer has in auto collection two Range Rover sport (Range Rover Autobiography valued at N80 million and 2016 Range Rover valued at N15 million), a Bentley valued at N29 million, a Jaguar F-type VHS 2014 estimated to have cost N15.5 million, a Mercedes Benz G Wagon, Rubicon Wrangler Jeep, Dodge Challenger, and Ford Mustang.

   Like his brother, Paul Okoye, better known by his stage name Rudeboy, is a singer, songwriter and owner of Rudeboy Records. As one of the richest musicians in Nigeria, he is estimated to have a net worth of $15 million.

  King Rudy as he is also called reportedly lives in a palatial mansion located in Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, he drives around town in a number of exotic cars under his possession. Since his split with his twin brother, Rudeboy has enjoyed massive success following back-to-back hit songs including Reason with me and Audio Money, which has propelled him to embarking on tours within Nigeria, across Africa, Europe, and the United States.

  In his garage are some of the most exotic cars including a Lamborghini Aventador Roadster (white) valued at N142 million that come has a V12 engine with a whopping 740 horse power speed performance and allows a top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph). The sports car can move from standstill to 62 mph in just 2.9 seconds.

  Other wonder-on-wheels in his collection include a Range Rover Autobiography valued at N80 million, BMW X6 believed to have N36 million, a Wrangler SUV estimated at N15 million, a Hummer Jeep, Cadillac Escalade, and a Mercedes Benz coupe.

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Timaya —  $10.5 million

THE name Inetimi Alfred Odom may not command attention but mere mention of Timaya everyone round will shove one another have a glimpse of the bearded ‘Plantain boy’ who goes by the moniker.   

  A songwriter and dancehall star from Bayelsa State; he is the youngest of 15 children and grew up in Agip Estate, Port Harcourt under a banker father and a trader mother. As a youngster, he would often break house rules to attend late-night music events.

  He started his music career when he joined Eedris Abdulkareem led hip-hop group as a backup vocalist. He bade the group farewell after three years to focus on his solo career. He began to record collaborations with fellow up-and-coming artistes and made his first cameo appearance in an unreleased music video by UDX, a Lagos-based rap group.

  Prior to joining Eedris Abdulkareem led hip-hop group, Timaya gained admission into Ikeja Grammar School Oshodi, where he grew up after moving to Lagos with his older brother and older sister.

   He subsequently met producer Obaksolo in Mafoluku, Oshodi, who produced his first major hit record Dem Mama, which was off his Na True Story debut album, which was eventually released in 2007.

    Later that year, the Egberi Papa 1 of Bayelsa, as Timaya is also called, a self-acclaim title, began work on his second album, Gift and Grace with producers Phyno, Jeggs, Spankie, Akeem D Beat, Obaksolo and Terry G. The album was released in 2008.

  He won two awards the same year: ‘Album of the Year’ at Nigeria Music Awards and ‘Best Reggae/Dancehall Album’ at The Headies Awards. He also received two awards Best Reggae/Dancehall album’ for Gift and Grace and ‘Best Collaboration’ for his feature on J Martins’ Good or Bad (O Wey)’ at the 2009 edition of The Headies.

  Two years later, the singer released his third album, De Rebirth and its success-themed lead single Plantain Boy. The album’s production was handled by Akeem D Beat, Phyno, Flux, M-Yire, Jay Sleek, N.D, Jesse Jagz, and Obaksolo.

  Timaya collaborated with guest artistes, including 2face Idibia, TJ 2Solo, Allenian, Konga, Lanre, M.I, and Wrecoba. In 2010, he appeared on the song Kokoroko by late female gospel artist Kefee, which went on to win in the ‘Best Collaboration’ category at the 2010 Headies Awards.

  In November 2011, Timaya released LLNP (Long Life And Prosperity), a collaborative album with his crew, Dem Mama Soldiers. The album’s second track Dem No Like Me featured a guest appearance by legendary reggae artiste, Ras Kimono.

   On June 25, 2012, he released a 14-track album titled Upgrade, which produced notable hits Bum-Bum, Sexy Ladies, and Malonogede. The album features collaborations with Attitude, Terry G and Vector.

  His duet with self-proclaimed Port Harcourt first born, Duncan Mighty on I Know I Know Dat, was leaked into the internet a few hours after Mighty’s album Footprints was released into stores. Both artistes were among the honorees at the 4th annual Odudu Music Awards.

  In 2014, he released his fifth studio album titled Epiphany, a 20-tracker, with global hits such as Bum Bum Remix (featuring Dancehall A-Lister, Sean Paul), Sanko, and Ukwu. It also featured 2Baba, Patoranking, Olamide, Sir Shina Peters, Deethi, Phyno and Terry G.

  After five years of releasing singles and touring, the DM Records chief released an extended play (EP) titled Chulo Vibes (2019). This project featured collaborations from East African artiste, Alikiba, Trinidadian Soca Legend Machel Montano and Burna Boy.

  His label, DM Records Limited groomed artistes such as Patoranking and Runtown, which in 2017, signed young Dancehall/Afro-Fusion artiste, King Perryy.

  Despite his decision to keep a low profile by not trending for wrong reasons, with a net worth of $10.5 million (N4.1 billion) he is undoubtedly one of the richest musicians in Nigeria. His tastefully furnished, well-designed interior, spacious Lekki mansion, with a personal studio, swimming-pool and estimated to worth N250 million, clearly attest to the fact that Timaya is indeed a music businessman with great taste and class.

  His garage is lit with some of the luxurious cars you can find around, among them are: Silver coloured Bentley, worth N72 million; two Range Rovers, worth N17 million and N19 million, a Mercedez Benz G55 AMG, which reportedly cost him about N55 million; a Lexus, with price is nearly N13 million and a Mercedez Benz Gle, which price tag at the time of purchase was about N20 million.

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Tiwa Savage

SELF-PROFESSED original African bad girl, Tiwatope Savage, who is professionally known as Tiwa Savage is among the Nigeria’s new millionaires and top celebrities living at Richmond Gate Estate in Lekki, Lagos, a serene estate by Haven Homes at Ikate Elegushi area of Lekki Lagos.

   Born February 1980 in Lagos, mummy Jam Jam as she is also called by close associates (a sobriquet from her son’s name, Jamin) is a singer, songwriter and actress. She relocated to London at 11 for her secondary school education.

   She became a backup vocalist for American artistes such as George Michael and Mary J. Blige. After participating in the UK edition of The X Factor and graduating from Berklee College of Music, she signed a publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing in 2009,

   Inspired by the rapid development of the Nigerian music industry, she moved back to Nigeria and signed a record with Don Jazzy led Mavin Records in 2012, and made an appearance on the label’s 2012 compilation album Solar Plexus.

  Her debut studio album Once Upon a Time was released on July3, 2013 with several singles like: Without My Heart, Kele Kele Love, Love Me, Ife Wa Gbona, Folarin, Olorun Mi and Eminado. The album was nominated for Best Album of the Year at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards and for Best R&B/Pop Album at The Headies in 2014.

  Tiwa’s sophomore studio album R.E.D was released on December 19, 2015. It came out with two singles: My Darlin and Standing Ovation. In June 2016, she signed a management and publishing deal with Jayz Roc Nation, and released her debut Extended Play (EP) Sugarcane in September 2017.

  In November 2018, she won MTV Europe Music Awards for Best African Act of the Year, becoming the first woman to win the category. After an alleged secret disengagement from Mavin Records in 2019, she announced her record deal with Universal Music Group.

  Her contributions to the Nigerian music industry have earned her many achievements. She has been involved in youth empowerment and breast cancer screening projects and has raised funds to build schools in Nigeria.

  With an estimated net worth of $21 million, Tiwa is ranked on the list of famous people and richest Nigerian music stars and celebrities.

  Known for her exquisite taste, Tiwa always spoils herself with good things, as she reportedly bought her multimillion naira mansion located at Richmond Gate Estate by Heaven Homes in Lekki Lagos for N75 million with her name on one of the streets in the estate.

  She cruises around town in some of the best autos including Rolls Royce Phantom, which she acquired in 2013 at $455,000. The wonder on wheel is fitted with self-leveling air springs and electronically controlled dampers in front and rear. It uses a double wishbone front axle and a five-link rear axle, just as it is also equipped with active anti-roll bars.

 Tiwa also balls around in Bentley Bentayga. The hybrid version of this Bentayga Sports Utility vehicle is Bentley’s first electrified car. The mid-size, front-engine, all-wheel drive, five-door luxury crossover marketed Bentley, was first manufactured in 2016.  

  Also in her auto collection is a Mercedes Benz V Class, which she took delivery of on Thursday, April 4, 2019. Everything about the ride shows the All Over crooner’s exquisite taste in automobiles.

   The perfect family German made automobile comes with a powerful engine and a flexible seating concept that also makes it the perfect platform for all adventurers and enthusiastic athletes.

   Due to its exclusive interior design, the V-Class is only available in long variant and comes in three lengths: compact (4895 mm), long (5140 mm), and extra-long (5370 mm). The refined design and the high-quality applications in the interior provide the vehicle with a stylish ambiance.

  The flexible seating concept transforms it into a truly personalized space; hence Tiwa’s reason to customised the car with her name, thus indicating how much must have been spent to acquire it.

*******

Banky W —  $5 million

OLUBANKOLE Wellington, better known as Banky W, is a singer, actor, entrepreneur and politician. He became popular with his debut single Ebute Metta, which was an instant hit. Subsequently, he dropped hit songs like Lagos Party, and Strong Thing.

   His love for the entertainment industry started when he was just a little boy, as he began singing in his church choir at a tender age. Even while he studied Industrial Engineering in school, he did not resist the urge of feeding his passion for music.

  As often said, it takes a person of strong will to follow through with his passion. This is apt with Bank W, when he decided to set up Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E) with his friend Tunde Demuren in 2002 while in college in Albany, New York, United States before it was moved down to Lagos in 2008.

  It was envisioned as a platform for Banky W’s music and other signed artiste. The label grew and was home to music stars like Wizkid, Skales, Niyola and Shaydee. Some of the producers associated with the label include Masterkraft, Jaysleek, Cobhams Asuquo and others.

  The company is projecting itself as the one stop shop for the synergy between corporate Africa and entertainment. Their goal is to find talents and brands they believe in, partner with them and make them more successful.

After many years, Banky W with his partner, Tunde Demuren decided to shut down the record label aspect of E.M.E. and pivoted to a full-fledged media and management company with focus on creative marketing, advertising, PR, brand events/activation and talent management.

  As a huge brand influencer, the singer rakes in millions of naira as brand ambassador for multinational companies like Samsung and Uber. In 2014, Vanguard reported that the singer, also known as Mr. Capable, charged between N2.5 million and N3 million per show, thus making one of the country’s richest musicians and new generation of millionaires.

 Born March 27, 1981, his estimated net worth is pegged at $5 million (N3.5 billion). After the release of Ebute Metta, the Wedding Party actor landed his first endorsement deal with Etisalat in 2008, and the deal was worth N150 million.

 Upon becoming a brand ambassador for the telecommunications company, he featured in their popular commercial, 0809ja for life. His next major endorsement deal was with Samsung Electronics West Africa in 2011. After the initial one-year endorsement deal, it was subsequently renewed in 2013 and later 2017.

  According to Ventures Africa, an online platform for news, analysis and discussion about African business, policy, innovation, and lifestyle reported that the deal was valued at about N140 million.

   In 2012, the R&B powerhouse became the new face of global beverage drink, Coca-Cola Open and Win campaign after signing an undisclosed figure. The deal as gathered lasted three months. In 2014, the E.M.E boss switched telco companies when he signed with MTN. The deal believed to worth over N50 million was extended in 2015.

  Like a man goes after his beau, Ciroc Nigeria in 2014 sought and signed him as the face of the brand. The endorsement deal was reportedly valued at about N30 million. It was renewed in 2015 and later 2017.

  With his debut into acting in the Box Office highest grossing film, The Wedding Party 1&2, a 2016 Nigerian romantic comedy-drama, with the first part making N453,050,000 and its sequel – N500,000,000, it is safe to say that Banky W must have been paid an impressive amount for his role as a lead character.

  Unlike his contemporaries in the showbiz industry, Banky does not flaunt his wealth, instead chooses to be discreet. A woman had in 2018 shaded him in a video over his 2008 Range Rover Sport, saying the SUV does not befit his status as a celebrity and one of Nigeria’s new millionaires.

  The woman had trailed the singer and his actress wife, Adesua Etomi in the video after making purchases at a supermarket. But reacting to the viral video, Banky W said he bought the car in 2011 and he promised himself that he would not change it until he acquires his own property, adding that he is not one to drive more than one car at a time, hence his ownership of the car for the past seven years.

  In a lengthy post on his website, Banky W said he and his wife had purchased new vehicles. He also explained that he intends to auction the car, and donate the proceeds to charity, after getting his celebrity friends to autograph it.

   “You see, I’ve never found it necessary to own more than one car. Mostly because I can only ever DRIVE one car at a time; and when I bought the car in 2011, I promised myself that I would never buy another car, until I owned the home I live in.

  “To me, owning a nice car might help me LOOK like I was doing okay, but owning a nice home would help me KNOW. The way my mind is set up…what good is owning a Rolls Royce, if I’m still paying rent on the house I park it in?

 “Over the years, as my car went from being kind-of-trendy to being just plain old, people around would occasionally wonder out loud about when I would finally buy a nicer one; I’d just smile and say to myself ‘not until I own my house’.

 “I eventually did buy an additional much smaller car (a Kia), but that was only because I wanted to use it on ‘Uber’, so my driver could earn extra bonus money for himself and us, in his free time. I wonder how shocked and horrified you would have been if you’d seen me driving that smaller car instead (which, by the way, I do drive, occasionally).

 “I believe that true greatness and success shouldn’t just be measured by what you are able to get… but also by what you are able to give. While driving my very-old car the last few years, I’ve spent a lot of my time giving to the people around me, and giving back to society to the best of my ability.

  “The fact that you’re able to spend time mocking and stalking me outside a grocery store, says a lot more about you than it does about me. I’m just out here minding my business, building my homes and my fortune, while also trying to build up as many people as possible. You should consider doing the same,” Banky W wrote.