The singer and bandleader, Segun Johnson has opened up on the behind-the-scenes dealings of Nigeria’s top owambe musicians, revealing the unspoken rules that govern their lucrative performances at high-profile parties and events.
In a recent interview on The Teju Babyface Deep Dive Podcast, Johnson disclosed that these A-list musicians don’t necessarily charge a fixed performance fee. Instead, they set a target amount that they expect to earn from the party through “money spray” from guests.
According to Johnson, one well-known owambe artist reportedly told a client that they needed to make N50 million from the party, with no fixed charge or performance fee in place.
“If you want me at your party, I must make N50 million that day.” No fixed charge, no performance fee—just a clear monetary expectation from the party’s money spray.”
This approach according to him allows the musicians to potentially earn more than they would from a traditional performance fee, while also giving them a sense of control over their earnings.
Johnson also revealed that these top musicians often prioritize prestige over pay, turning down high-paying gigs if the guest list isn’t packed with influential or wealthy attendees. In some cases, they’ll even perform for free if they believe the event will attract the right crowd. As Johnson put it, “They know the kind of people who spray.”