"Pennies for Passion?" – Tems' Manager Slams Low Streaming Revenues for Nigerian Artists
Muyiwa Awoniyi, the manager of Grammy-winning Afrobeats sensation Tems, has raised serious concerns about the meager financial returns Nigerian artists receive from music streaming platforms. According to Awoniyi, despite the global popularity of Afrobeats and the millions of streams racked up by Nigerian musicians, the actual income generated remains disappointingly low—especially for artists operating within the local market.
He emphasized that while digital streaming has helped globalize Nigerian music, the revenue models of major streaming services often leave African artists shortchanged. The issue, he explained, is worsened by the relatively low subscription rates in Nigeria and Africa compared to Western countries, resulting in diminished payouts per stream.
Awoniyi’s remarks have reignited discussions about the need for structural reforms in the African music industry, including better artist representation, transparent royalty systems, and region-specific streaming policies that fairly compensate creators.
“It’s one thing to go global, but another to be paid what you’re truly worth,” Awoniyi stressed.
As Afrobeats continues to dominate global charts, the call for equitable compensation grows louder—demanding a shift in how African talent is valued on the digital stage.
#SupportAfricanArtists #Afrobeats #Tems #MusicIndustryReform #StreamingWoes #DigitalMusic🎶 "Pennies for Passion?" – Tems' Manager Slams Low Streaming Revenues for Nigerian Artists
Muyiwa Awoniyi, the manager of Grammy-winning Afrobeats sensation Tems, has raised serious concerns about the meager financial returns Nigerian artists receive from music streaming platforms. According to Awoniyi, despite the global popularity of Afrobeats and the millions of streams racked up by Nigerian musicians, the actual income generated remains disappointingly low—especially for artists operating within the local market.
He emphasized that while digital streaming has helped globalize Nigerian music, the revenue models of major streaming services often leave African artists shortchanged. The issue, he explained, is worsened by the relatively low subscription rates in Nigeria and Africa compared to Western countries, resulting in diminished payouts per stream.
Awoniyi’s remarks have reignited discussions about the need for structural reforms in the African music industry, including better artist representation, transparent royalty systems, and region-specific streaming policies that fairly compensate creators.
“It’s one thing to go global, but another to be paid what you’re truly worth,” Awoniyi stressed.
As Afrobeats continues to dominate global charts, the call for equitable compensation grows louder—demanding a shift in how African talent is valued on the digital stage.
#SupportAfricanArtists #Afrobeats #Tems #MusicIndustryReform #StreamingWoes #DigitalMusic
