Nigerian comedian and filmmaker Ayo Makun, popularly known as AY, has revealed that some Nigerian music artistes now demand as much as N200 million to perform at his annual AY Live comedy show.
AY made the disclosure while discussing the rising cost of booking music stars and the changing relationship between Nigeria’s comedy and music industries. He said some emerging artistes who have yet to achieve major stardom now demand fees of up to N80 million for appearances.
The comedian recalled that established artistes including Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage and Olamide had performed at AY Live over the years. According to him, their appearances in earlier years were often facilitated by friendships and mutual support rather than the high performance fees demanded today.
“In those days, many appearances were made possible through friendship. An artiste would accept any reasonable amount to cover their logistics,” AY said.
He explained that the Nigerian music industry has expanded significantly, with artistes now generating income through streaming platforms, international endorsements and other opportunities that pay in foreign currencies.
AY said this growth means many musicians no longer depend on comedy shows for exposure, making it more expensive for event organisers to secure their performances.
“Today, the Nigerian musicians charge N200 million, N120 million, N80 million to appear on my show,” he said.
The comedian also noted that organisers have several other expenses to consider, including venue hire, production, sound, security, publicity, comedians and staff. He argued that the fee for a single artiste can significantly affect the overall budget of a comedy show.
AY urged audiences to recognise that comedy shows are primarily organised for comedy, rather than judging them by the number of music artistes on the lineup.
His comments highlight the changing economics of Nigeria’s entertainment industry, where successful artistes increasingly operate across local and international markets. AY Live remains one of Nigeria’s established comedy events, having featured several leading musicians and comedians over the years.
