Popular Nigerian comedian and filmmaker AY Makun has opened up about the changing relationship between comedians and musicians, revealing that some top Nigerian artistes now demand hundreds of millions of naira to perform at comedy shows.
AY made this known in a video where he explained what it now takes for comedy show organisers to bring major music artistes on stage.
The comedian was quick to clarify that his comments were not an attack on Nigerian musicians or an attempt to criticise the music industry.
Rather, he said he wanted audiences to understand why it has become increasingly difficult and expensive to combine comedy with performances from several major artistes.
According to AY, there was a time when the relationship between comedians and musicians was largely built around friendship, mutual support and the understanding that everyone was growing together.
He recalled the early days of AY Live, saying virtually every major Nigerian musician had performed at the show at one point or another.
He mentioned artistes including Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Olamide, Phyno, P-Square, D’banj and 2Baba, among others, who have appeared at AY Live shows in Lagos, Abuja and other cities.
AY explained that, back then, some musicians were willing to accept relatively modest payments, sometimes simply enough to cover their logistics, because they saw the appearances as a way of supporting their colleagues in the entertainment industry.
But according to him, things have changed considerably.
AY: Nigerian artistes are now global stars
The comedian noted that Nigerian musicians are no longer solely dependent on local entertainment platforms for visibility.
With the global growth of Afrobeats, artistes now make money from international concerts, streaming, endorsements and other business opportunities, many of which are paid in foreign currencies.
Because of this, AY said musicians can now command significantly higher fees when approached to perform at comedy shows.
Giving an insight into what organisers are currently facing, he disclosed that one artiste asked him for ₦200 million, while another demanded ₦120 million. He also said another artiste requested ₦80 million.
AY questioned how comedy show organisers are expected to accommodate such fees when they still have an entire production to finance.
He listed expenses including venue, production, sound, screens, security, publicity, comedians, staff and other logistics that go into putting together a major comedy show.
He said there are situations where the amount demanded by just one musician could cover the entire production budget for the comedy show.
“Sometimes, the fee for just one artist covers the entire budget of the production, both AY and every early comedian put together,” he said.
AY says the old relationship benefited everyone
Despite the rising costs, AY stressed that he was not saying musicians should perform for free.
Instead, he reflected on the kind of relationship that previously existed between both sides and how it benefited the entertainment industry.
He argued that comedians provide an opportunity for musicians to connect with their everyday Nigerian audience because, unlike comedians, many top artistes do not regularly perform smaller local shows for their core fans.
AY suggested that comedy shows and music concerts could continue to complement each other, with comedians helping artistes maintain a connection with their local audience while musicians pursue bigger international opportunities.
‘If you want music, wait for December’
AY also had a message for fans who attend comedy shows mainly because they expect to see several music stars perform.
He urged audiences to develop a culture of attending comedy shows primarily for comedy.
According to him, people should come out to laugh when they buy tickets for a comedy show rather than expecting the event to become a mini music concert.
He compared the situation to international comedians such as Chris Rock and Kevin Hart, saying their audiences attend their shows knowing that the main attraction is comedy.
AY believes Nigerian comedians should also be given the same level of confidence and support.
He maintained that the comedy industry has enough talented entertainers capable of giving audiences a good experience without necessarily depending on music artistes to attract crowds.
His comments have now opened up a wider conversation about the changing economics of Nigeria’s entertainment industry, especially as the country’s biggest music stars continue to command huge fees and operate on an increasingly global scale.
For AY, the issue is less about blaming musicians and more about getting audiences to understand that comedy should be allowed to stand on its own.
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