Popular comedian AY Makun has lamented the rising cost of booking Nigerian artistes for comedy shows. He recently had his say via his Instagram page, and fans have been reacting.
Revealing that even emerging artistes who have yet to attain mainstream success now demand up to N80 million for appearances, AY attributed the sharp increase in performance fees to the global growth of the Nigerian music industry.
The filmmaker added that he misses the early years, when bookings were largely driven by friendship and mutual support.
His words, “For many years, since the beginning of AY Live, Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, and Olamide have all performed at AY Live.
In those days, many appearances were made possible through friendship. An artiste would accept any reasonable amount to cover their logistics, but today, the Nigerian musicians charge N200 million, N120 million, N80 million to appear on my show.
The industry has changed so that today the Nigerian musicians are global stars; they earn from streaming, international endorsements, and several other opportunities that come in foreign currencies. So they no longer depend on comedy shows for visibility.
Even the upcoming artists wey never blow dey ask for N80 million.
The reality is that if you don’t have a strong personal relationship with any of these artists, bringing them to a comedy show can really be expensive.”
Ayodeji Richard Makun, AY Makun is a Nigerian actor, comedian, radio and TV presenter, writer, producer and film director.
Born on 19 August 1971, he hails from Ifon, Ose local government in Ondo State. He is the host of the A.Y live shows and A.Y comedy skits. His first movie, 30 Days in Atlanta was produced by him and directed by Robert O. Peters. He was made a U.N Peace Ambassador. In 2009, he was made United Nations Peace Ambassador. He is also the CEO of Corporate World Entertainment Nigeria.
Ayo Makun received his education at Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria. He graduated as a theatre arts student in 2003 (after nine years of study).
A.Y was awarded the Jaycee Club Socio-personality Award, Best Show Business Promoter (2001), Most Celebrated Student on Campus (2001), and Most Fashionable Student on Campus (1999 and 2000) while a student.
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