Cameroonian musicians absent on Forbes List of Africa’s Top 10 Music Money-Makers 2017

Another year, another struggle for financial superiority!

Forbes has released its annual Top 10 Music Money Makers in Africa and once again, no Cameroonian music star made the list.

There’s no doubt that making it big in Cameroon as a musician or an entertainer is a complete struggle but do we now lack what it takes to finally have a break-through on a Forbes rich list in Africa?

ALSO READ: 15 highest earning celebrities in Cameroon

Cameroon is blessed with very talented musicians whom, if put in another country, would rake in millions with their voices but why are our stars still financially-trailing behind their fellow counterparts in Africa?

“The corporate bodies in Cameroon are still to believe in our talent even after so many acts are making it happen in the country,” an anonymous source reveals to us.

“These companies, including banks and rich individuals still lack the vision of investing and making profits off entertainers and entertainment in Cameroon… which is clearly bizarre. There are musicians in Cameroon whom, if properly supported, could make any one 10 million and more richer. But, it’s taking a lot of time for these companies to bank on these talents,” he added.

Cameroonian artists can and will make it but the questions are when and how? In other countries such as Nigeria, South Africa and Ghana, a large chunk of musicians’ earnings doesn’t only come from how many copies of CDs sold but on how many endorsement deals they sign and concert shows they organize or are booked for annually.

ALSO READ: List of 50 Most Influential Young Cameroonians 2016 released

As we earlier reported, singer Mr. Leo recently landed two major endorsement deals in 2017 -with iTel Mobil Cameroun and Origin Beer. An inside source tells us both deals may have earned the “Jamais Jamais” crooner a whopping 30 million francs CFA.

“Brand endorsement is a major earner for any entertainer. Artists fight to be the best because being at the top gets you more money from companies who endorse your brand to make their products more popular. And although Cameroonian musicians are making waves home and abroad, we only have but a few whom companies are trying to make as ambassadors for their products,” a PR expert in Cameroon tells us.

“I am still wondering when companies like Brasseries, Nestle and the telecoms will understand that using the faces of successful artists in Cameroon is an easy and viable step to making more impact and creating brand awareness among the young people,” he adds.

In Nigeria for example, GLO Telecommunications endorsed more than ten celebrities whom they pay nothing less than 10 million francs CFA a year as their brand ambassadors. They treat these stars like the stars they are and use them to push their campaigns to the younger generation who consume their products. Why is the case so different in Cameroon?

ALSO READ: Ramsey Nouah donates 200k CFA to Cameroon International Film Festival

Are the songs not big enough? Do the videos not bring enough views? Can’t our stars not fill up half or an entire stadium? Don’t they have massive followership on social media? Are they not educated or represented enough? These are some of the questions fans and music lovers ask.

What exactly will it take for Cameroonian artists to become millionaires via their talents? What are they still to do to be endorsed by multinational companies? How long will it take for a Cameroonian musician to make the Forbes Africa’s Top 10 Music Money-Makers List?

Find the complete list below:

1. AKON, SENEGAL

2. BLACK COFFEE, SOUTH AFRICA

3. HUGH MASEKELA, SOUTH AFRICA

4. DON JAZZY, NIGERIA

5. TINASHE, ZIMBABWEAN-AMERICAN

6. JIDENNA, NIGERIAN-AMERICAN

7. WIZKID, NIGERIA

8. DAVIDO, NIGERIA

9. SARKODIE, GHANA

10. OLIVER MTUKUDZI, ZIMBABWE

Enjoy Jovi’ “Cash” video below: