With N72m per show, Wizkid leads the pack as Highest Paid Musician

3. K1 De Ultimate:

King of Fuji Music, Olasunkanmi Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, a 62-year-old maestro and one of the most widely travelled musicians on the continent, remains the most sought-after act in his genre of music. K1 De Ul- timate is said to be so influential to the extent of dictating the dates that organisers of events can stage their parties if they want him on the bandstand. K1 charges between N5m-N15m depending on the function. He may come a little lesser for his inner caucus pals, considering their story from days of yore and the fact that the gig will be an assemblage of the big spenders. For foreign shows, he charges between $70,000-$150,000. KWAM 1’s influence essentially results from the appeal of his music to audience across demography, his ability to socialise easily as well as his political affiliations. He is also blessed with loyal patrons some of whom had engaged his services for well over three decades. For instance, the Ogun State born performer was said to have been contacted by a member of Fadaka Club who has run into bad times but wanted KWAM 1 to perform at his daughter’s wedding. Sources told us that this old patron had only N2m and went to the artiste jittery knowing how much his current charges were. We learnt that the artiste dismissed the fears of the man and offered to perform free of charge in deference to the patronage he has re-ceived from him in the past. The only caveat was that the wedding should hold on a Sunday instead of the Saturday the father of the bride had chosen.
This disposition has however not always worked for K1. Sources told us about an incident in which he attended a show with his full in London at N30m only to realise that Davido, a younger artiste, who performed at the same wedding party, got N40m even though he did not perform with a band.