Skip to content

BNXN Claims NBA Stars Make Far More Money Than Nigerian Musicians, and He’s Dropping an Album Soon

Add us as a preferred source on Google (opens in a new tab)

BNXN says his NBA friends earn far more than most Nigerian artists and teases a new album during a livestream, a candid look at fame, money, and the music grind.

Six hours into a livestream, BNXN dropped a line that had fans talking instantly. Nigerian musicians, he said, simply don’t have the kind of money NBA players do, and he’d know, because some of them are his friends.

Continue reading below


It’s the kind of comment that sounds casual but touches a nerve. For years, Afrobeats stars have been treated like local royalty, flaunting cars, jewelry, and lavish lifestyles online. So when one of the genre’s own says the wealth is exaggerated, people pay attention.

tv_july2023-africasnewwave_bnxn_213334712965383895801
BNXN, formerly known as Buju

Talking with streamer Ojo, BNXN didn’t hold back. He explained that his personal friendships with a few NBA players gave him a front-row seat to a level of wealth most Nigerian entertainers simply haven’t reached.

Continue reading below


He didn’t name names or break down numbers. But his point was simple: outside of football, basketball players are operating in a completely different financial league than musicians back home

Continue reading below

Watch here

It’s not the first time the entertainer-versus-athlete money debate has surfaced. Global pay structures in sports, especially NBA contracts and endorsement deals, dwarf what most musicians earn from streaming and shows, even chart-topping ones.

BNXN didn’t stop at wealth talk. He also teased his next studio project, revealing plans to record across two very different locations: Ghana and Barbados.
His reasoning for Barbados was refreshingly practical. It’s visa-free for him, cutting out one of the biggest headaches touring and recording artists face when planning international work.

Continue reading below


No release date yet. But the idea of an “album camp” spanning continents fits a pattern several Nigerian stars have followed lately, chasing new sounds, easier logistics, or simply a change of scenery to spark creativity.

Continue reading below
Continue reading below

About the author

Taye Ogidan is a creative content writer with a passion for crafting engaging, audience-focused content. She specializes in blog writing, social media content, and storytelling that helps brands connect with their audience.

Join the conversation

Leave a comment