Bella Shmurda Explains Why Nigerian Artistes Charge High Fees for Performances
Popular Nigerian singer Bella Shmurda has shed light on why many artistes demand high fees for their performances, saying the charges are justified by the enormous costs of producing, promoting, and maintaining their music careers.
In a recent interview with Naija FM Lagos, the Cash App hitmaker explained that being a musician goes far beyond performing on stage — it involves heavy financial investments that most fans are unaware of. He emphasized that every aspect of music creation and promotion requires substantial funding, from studio production to marketing and image management.
“Making music is expensive,” Bella said. “I don’t repeat clothes because I’m a public figure. I spent $100,000 to pay producers, songwriters, and engineers who worked on my album. That’s over ₦100 million. Not to mention music videos and promotion costs. That’s a lot.”
He went further to note that, beyond personal expenses, musicians often have to support entire teams that help sustain their careers. According to him, behind every successful performance or hit song, there is a crew of professionals, including producers, videographers, managers, stylists, dancers, and security personnel who must be compensated.
Bella explained that these collective costs make it necessary for artistes to charge what might seem like high fees to outsiders. “When I go for a show, I charge what matches my investment. Even if I don’t make a profit, I should at least recover my production costs. So, we are not overcharging. If you look at it from our own perspective, you’ll understand,” he said.
The singer also highlighted how maintaining a celebrity lifestyle contributes to the overall financial pressure. He said public figures are often expected to keep up appearances, wear designer outfits, and travel in style, which adds to their daily expenses.
Bella’s comments come at a time when many Nigerian fans have questioned why top artists charge millions of naira for a single performance. His explanation provides insight into the realities of the music business, where creativity, production, and branding demand consistent investment.
He concluded by saying that the high-performance fees are not about greed or showing off but about sustaining a career that is both competitive and costly. For Bella, the price tag on performances reflects the real value of hard work, creativity, and the sacrifices that go into creating music that entertains millions.
