Forbes has released a list of top ten bankable musicians in Africa and no Kenyan artist has cut the mark as Nigerians dominate.

Local artists have often been accused of lacking content with the regional and global appeal but one would expect a group like Sauti Sol, which has raised the bar in the industry and is also one of the most sought-after local groups to feature somewhere.

Well, Forbe’s list of Africa’s top ten richest musicians was arrived upon by looking at factors such as endorsement value, popularity, show rates, sales, awards, YouTube views, and appearance in newspapers, investment, social media presence, influence, etc.

Below is the list of the top 10 richest musicians in Africa

1. AKON, SENEGALESE, AMERICAN
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
Black coffee, Nkosinathi Maphumulo, is famed for bringing South Africa’s house music on the global map. His music is popular across the globe and last year he became the first South African artist to win a BET award.
Black coffee has collaborated with international superstars like Alicia keys, drake and usher among others.

3. HUGH MASEKELA, SOUTH AFRICA
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.
He was nominated for a grammy for his 2010 album Jabulani in the Best World Music category.

4. DON JAZZY, NIGERIA
Don Jazzy, Michael Collins Ajereh, ranks fourth richest in Africa but the first in Nigeria. He’s a multi-award-winning artist, MTN’s brand Ambassador and runs a successful record label.

5. TINASHE, ZIMBABWE-AMERICAN
Tinashe Jorgensen Kachingwe is a 24-year-old American-based, Zimbabwean musician who started singing at a very tender age. Her first album titled ‘Aquarius’ made it to the Billboard Hot 100. She has also had successes in the film industry featuring in hit series such as Two and a half Men, and Empire.

6. JIDENNA, NIGERIAN-AMERICAN
Jidenna Theodore Mobisson’s success in music propelled with the help of Wonderland records founder, Janelle Monae, producing a YouTube hit Classic Man followed by a remix with Kendrick Lamar. He has also been working with the former US first lady, Michelle Obama in her education initiative, does speaking gigs, private shows and has also featured in the TV series Insecure.

7. WIZKID, NIGERIA
The Grammy award-winning artist is touted as the king of African music.
Wiz kid has signed a multi-album worldwide deal with Sony music international and is also a Pepsi ambassador.

8. DAVIDO, NIGERIA
It took Davido, whose real name is David Adedeji Adeleke, just five years to reach a high status. He has gone to win two MTV Music Awards and the BET Award for ‘Best African Act’. He has also worked with MTN, Guinness and Unilever.

He signed with Sony and dissolved his lucrative co-owned HKN record label. He has collaborated with Tinashe, Young Thug, Future, Trey Songz and Rae Sremmurd.

9. SARKODIE, GHANA
Michael Owusu Addo as his official name started out as an underground rapper which helped him cross paths with his former manager, Duncan Williams, who helped launch his career.

He was the first Ghanaian to win a BET award and has the most nominations. In 2013 and 2015, he was ranked the 19th “Most Influential Ghanaian” by e-TV Ghana and in 2013 and 2015, he was ranked 8th on FORBES and Channel O’s list, “Top 10 Richest/Bankable African Artists.”

10. OLIVER MTUKUDZI, ZIMBABWE
Oliver Tuku Mtukudzi has more albums than Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston.
His Tuku Music album, featuring the smash hit Todii went gold in its first month of release in Zimbabwe.