Talent manager Paulo Okoye has expressed concern over the declining state of Afrobeats, calling attention to the struggles many artists face in the industry today.
In a heartfelt post on his Instagram, Paulo lamented how the Afrobeats scene was flourishing three years ago, with artists performing much better financially than they are now.
According to Okoye, only a handful of Afrobeat artists are making money at the moment, a stark contrast to the genre’s peak years. He stressed that, while some stars continue to shine, the global influence of Afrobeats is diminishing, and the situation is even worse locally, where financial challenges abound.
In his post, Paulo shared a prayer for the artists, hoping their stars will continue to shine and that the world will keep recognizing their greatness despite the current setbacks.
“Afrobeats is going through a lot lately!! Every Afrobeat artist was doing way better 3 years ago compared to today!! Only a few are making money at the moment, and that’s a fact!! I can count on my one hand the Afrobeat artists who are making money now!! Globally, things are falling apart for Afrobeats. Locally, it’s even worse: no money anywhere. Our bright stars will continue to shine, and the world will continue to recognize our greatness.”
A day earlier, Paulo appealed to top Afrobeats stars, Davido and Wizkid, following a heated exchange between the two. Describing their actions as shameful, he urged both artists to put an end to their rivalry, noting that they might regret their actions in 20 years.
Previously, in April, Paulo had voiced his disappointment in the duo’s public feud, urging them to rise above the social media disputes and set an example of unity in the Afrobeats community.
In a broader reflection on the challenges facing Afrobeats, Paulo warned of impending difficulties for Afrobeat stars, citing high concert ticket prices as a major issue. He pointed out that only Davido and Burna Boy have managed to host notable concerts this year, making them outliers in an otherwise struggling industry.
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