Popular Nigerian singer and songwriter, Johnny Drille, has revealed that artists in Nigeria earn very little from music streaming compared to their counterparts in countries like the United Kingdom.
Speaking candidly about the struggles of musicians in Africa, the Mavin Records artist said the low streaming revenue in Nigeria makes it tough for many artists to survive solely on digital platforms.
He explained that while a million streams from Nigeria could earn an artist just about $300, the same number of streams from the UK could generate as much as $5,000, showing how wide the gap truly is.
“One million streams in Nigeria gives $300” – Johnny Drille opens up
In a recent video chat, Johnny Drille spoke about how discouraging it can be for African artists to depend on streaming income. According to him, the numbers may look impressive, but the returns don’t reflect the effort that goes into creating music.
He said, “If your 1 million streams are from Nigeria, it’s probably like $300. But the same number from the UK could be around $5,000.”
The singer’s statement has sparked conversation online, with many fans expressing surprise at how drastically location affects artists’ income on streaming platforms.
Johnny Drille encourages artists to stay focused despite low pay
Despite the low earnings from Nigerian streams, Johnny Drille urged upcoming artists to remain consistent and focus on growth rather than instant success.
He noted that the bigger money often comes from live shows, brand endorsements, and global exposure, especially when artists break beyond local boundaries.
Johnny ended on a hopeful note, saying: “It might be tough early on, but if you believe this is your path, just keep pushing. At some point, it will happen for you.”