Chic African Culture Africa Factbook

Five richest musicians in Africa 2017

It has been another lucrative year for African music artists and with Forbes, latest release of the wealthiest African music stars proves there are plenty of musicians on the African continent worthy of a SoundCloud listen.

African Music

Attempting to classify African music is like describing the color of sound; it is impossible. The music of Africa, given the enormity of the continent, is ancient, fertile and diverse, with different regions and nations of Africa having many distinct musical customs.

Five richest musicians in Africa 2017



Black Coffee
Black Coffee, the multi-award-winning African artist’s real name is Nkosinathi Maphumulo.
Black Coffee

The multi-award-winning artist’s real name is Nkosinathi Maphumulo. He was born in South Africa’s house music province, KwaZulu-Natal and raised in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. South African DJ Black Coffee in 2016 launched his fashion and music academy. 

The popular DJ collaborated with textile and knitwear designer Laduma Ngxokolo and artist Nelson Makamo to launch F.A.M Academy. In 2016, alone Black Coffee dominated the South African Music Awards with three accolades including Album of the Year and an International Recognition award, won a BET Award for Best African Act, remixed Alicia Keys and played at both Coachella and the Ultra Music Festival.


Hugh Masekela 
Hugh Masekela is a world-renowned musician and political leader
Hugh Masekela

Hugh was born in Witbank, east of Johannesburg. 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. 

Hugh Masekela is a world-renowned musician and political leader who musical style was influenced by Miles Davis. Masekela performed at the Monterey Pop Festival alongside The Who. U2 frontman Bono said playing with Masekela was one of the highlights of his career.


Don Jazzy 
Michael Collins Ajereh, better known as Don Jazzy was born on November 26, 1982 in Umuahia, Abia state Nigeria.
Michael Collins Ajereh, better known as Don Jazzy

Michael Collins Ajereh, better known as Don Jazzy was born on November 26, 1982 in Umuahia, Abia state Nigeria. 

In 2000, Don Jazzy moved to London, the United Kingdom when his uncle invited him to come play the drums for the neighbourhood church and from there his career took off, Don Jazzy collaborated with Jay-Z and Kanye West on the production of Lift Off, featuring Beyoncé on the album Watch The Throne, released on 8 August 2011 .


Tinashe Jorgenson Kachingwe 

Tinashe Jorgenson Kachingwe

The only female in the top five, Tinashe was born on February 6, 1993 in Lexington, Kentucky, and is the eldest child of college professors Michael and Aimie Kachingwe. Her father is a professor and a first generation immigrant of the Shona people of Zimbabwe and her mother, who is of Danish, Norwegian, Irish, and English descent lives in the United States. 

Tinashe began her entertainment career at the age of three when she began modeling and acting. In 2004, Tinashe appeared in box-office hit The Polar Express alongside actor Tom Hanks. The twenty-four-year-old she made her first appearance in 2000 in the film Cora Unashamed and from 2008 to 2009, Tinashe had a recurring role in the American sitcom Two and a Half Men as Celeste, Jake's girlfriend.
 
Five richest musicians in Africa 2017

African Music three facts

African music has undergone frequent and decisive changes throughout the centuries.

Migrations of African peoples brought musical styles and instruments to new areas, the internet in modern times has been the biggest influence on African Music.

It is only relatively recently that scholarly attention has focused on the various urban popular styles, reflecting a blend of local and foreign ingredients, that have emerged during the last 20 years

Wise African Proverb

Wise African Proverb

More Articles to Read from Chic African Culture

Show more

Week’s Best Posts and Pages

Three Easy to Make South African Recipes

What is the difference between ugali and fufu

The Serenity Prayer translated into the 10 most popular African languages

Eat With Your Fingers to Reduce Plastic Waste