Slimcase also noted that content creators now charge huge sums of money to feature songs in their content.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Afrobeats singer and songwriter Oluwafemi Oladapo, popularly known as Slimcase, has traced the struggles of up-and-coming artists in the Nigerian music scene to the rising cost of music promotion in the country.
The ‘Shaku Shaku’ crooner made this known recently while appearing as a guest on the latest episode of Echo Room.
According to Slimcase, artists struggle to reach their peak or achieve success because promoting just one song properly in Nigeria now costs a staggering ₦265 million.
He added that the rise of influencer culture has further escalated the cost of music promotion across the country.
ALSO READ: Sola Sobowale reveals Olu Jacobs trained her at late actor’s service of songs
The 44-year-old singer pointed out that dancers and content creators, who used to beg artists for attention, are now charging massive sums to feature songs in their content.
He concluded that this exorbitant cost is the reason only a handful of artists continue to dominate the industry for years, while talented up-and-coming artists remain underground.
“Back in the day, dancers flooded artists’ DMs. Now you have to pay them big money, even content creators. $200,000 is not enough to make a song blow up now. And that is why you hear the same artists and sounds for over 20 years, while many upcoming artists remain unheard,” Slimcase lamented.
He appealed to music executives and industry stakeholders to consider the plight of up-and-coming artists by addressing the high cost of music promotion.
He also urged Nigerians to support emerging artists directly and not rely solely on influencers and mainstream media to determine their playlists.
