Top 10 Richest Musicians in South Africa (2024)

South Africa is home to one of the most thriving music industries in the world. The industry has produced a plethora of musicians and legendary singers such as Miriam Makeba, Brenda Fassie, Hugh Masekela, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, and Lucky Dube. These singers were responsible for International anthems such as Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika, Pata Pata, Umqombothi (song), and Vulindlela.

The industry with a variety of genres such as Marabi, Kwaito, house music, Isicathamiya, Gqom, rock music, hip hop, and Amapiano, played a huge role in the social and cultural development of societies in the country. These music genres have also generated wealth for the artistes. Here is a list of the top 10 richest musicians in South Africa.

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1. Steve Hofmeyr – R273 million

Steve Hofmeyr is a multi-talented and controversial South Africa Singer, he also doubles as an actor, TV presenter, and brand ambassador. With an estimated net worth of R273 million, he is the richest musician in South Africa.

He began his entertainment career in the 1980s as an actor after he attended Grey’s College where he studied drama. He was a cast member of the Afrikaans drama show called Agter elke man. While in the show, his fame grew and by the time he was leaving, he had become a celebrity.

Steve left the movie industry to establish his career as a singer and a songwriter, he has since then released multiple singles and albums, which achieved critical and commercial success in the country. He also went back to acting generating his fortune as an all-round entertainer.

2. AKA –  R155.6 million

South African rapper, Kiernan Jarryd Forbes,  popularly known as AKA, is one of the richest South African musicians with a net worth of R155.6 million. He is one of the most successful rappers to come out of the country, with 4 studio albums and 1 extended play in his discography.

AKA was born and raised in Cape Town, Western Cape, he shot into the limelight after releasing his single “Victory Lap” which was released from his debut studio album, Alter Ego (2011). Forbes continued his success by releasing studio albums which include Levels (2014), Touch My Blood (2018), Bhovamania (2020), and the collaborative album, Be Careful What You Wish For alongside Anatii (2017).

According to reports, he is one of South Africa’s most expensive artists to book for performance. AKA also has numerous endorsements to his name. However, early in February 2023, the rapper was shot dead in Durban.

3. Rebecca Malope – R65.25 million

Rebecca Malope is the only Gospel artist that makes the list with a net worth of R65.25 million. Popularly known as the “African Queen of Gospel”. Her music career spans more than three decades. She has sold at least 10 million albums worldwide, making her one of the best-selling gospel artists of all time. Most of the 36 albums she has released have reached multi-platinum status.

She began her musical career in 1984. At the age of 16, she and her sister Cynthia left their hometown and walked over  400 km to Johannesburg. On getting to Johannesburg, in 1985 she contested in the Shell Road to Fame television contest with the band she was with, but they were eliminated in the first round of the competition.

She however re-entered and won the competition in 1987 as a solo artist in the category of Female Vocalist with the gospel song “Shine On”, dedicated to political unrest during Apartheid in South Africa. Since the competition, she has become one of the biggest South African artiste.

4. Die Antwoord – R56 million

AUSTIN, TX – OCTOBER 07: Yolandi Visser (L) and Ninja of Die Antwoord perform at Zilker Park on October 7, 2016, in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Erika Goldring/FilmMagic)

Die Antwoord is a South African alternative hip-hop group. alternative hip-hop group formed in Cape Town in 2008. The group comprises rappers Watkin Tudor “Ninja” Jones and Anri “Yolandi Visser” du Toit, a male/female duo, and producers HITEK5000 and Lil2Hood.

The group with a combined net worth of R56 million is one of the richest groups in South Africa. The group released its debut album $O$  in 2008, the album achieved critical and commercial success charting in a few countries.  They followed up with Ten$ion in 2012 and Donker Mag in 2012.

Their most successful album, Mount Ninji, and da Nice Time Kid was released in 2016. The album was commercially successful, charting in the top 20 on numerous country official charts. Ant Diewoord has headlined several international shows and collaborated with a lot of top music producers in the industry.

5. Dj Euphonik – R34 million

Dj Themba, popularly known as Ephonik takes the 5th position on the list of the richest musicians in South Africa in 2024. Euphonik who is also a producer and a radio presenter shot into the limelight for playing house music under the alias Euphonik.

He began his musical career as a teenager in 2003, he however established himself in the club music scene. It wasn’t long before his mixes achieved radio play, initially on regional station YFM. He was then offered the opportunity to host his own shows on the national radio station 5FM.

As one of the most successful DJs in the South African Industry, DJ Euphonik has traveled the world and has played in places such as New York, Miami, Ibiza, Dubai, the UK, Spain, and around Africa. He has shared stages with some of the biggest DJs in the world Such as Tiesto, Swedish House Mafia, Avicii, Afrojack, Hardwell, Skrillex, Nicky Romero, Deadmau5, Louie Vega, and Richie Hawtin.

6. Black Coffee – R28.5 million

Black Coffee is a South African DJ, record producer, and songwriter has a net worth of R28.5 million making him of one of the richest musicians in South Africa.

Nkosinathi Innocent Sizwe Maphumulo, popularly known as Black Coffee began his music career at the Durban University of Technology before becoming a backup singer for South African musician Madala Kunene.

He has released 9 studio albums since he joined the South African music industry in 1994, he has also collaborated with one of the biggest American singers such as Usher, Alicia Keys, Drake, and P Diddy. Black Coffee is also a recipient of numerous awards including  4 DJ Awards, 2 Metro FM Awards, and 1 Grammy award.

7. DJ Sbu (Net worth – R27.3 million)

Sibusiso Leope, another wealthy South African in the music industry also known as DJ Sbu, is a South African Dj and Entrepreneur. He is the founder of TS Records and MoFaya Energy drink. DJ Sbu has an estimated net worth of R27.3 million.

8. Oskido – R27.3 million

Oscar Sibonginkosi Mdlongwa popular known as OSkido is a South African recording artist, DJ, record producer, and businessman. With a net worth of R27.3 million net worth, he is one of the richest musicians in South Africa.

Having been in the music industry for over 30 years, Oskido has attained prominent status in the South African music industry, His record label, Kalawa Jazmee Records, was responsible for the production and management of the country’s biggest stars such as Mafikizolo, DBN NYts, Professor, and many more.

9. Cassper Nyovest – R9.55 million

Cassper Nyovest, who is known as the face of rap in South Africa takes 9th position on the list of the richest South African musicians with an estimated net worth of R9.55 million. He began his career as an entertainer in 2004, after forming a HipHop group called Childhood Gangsta with his friends when he was 13. He then left to join Slow Motion, another group, which he left after he was signed into a record label

Cassper however dropped out of school in 2007 and relocated to Johannesburg in 2008 to pursue a career in music as a rapper and producer. He however did not reach the limelight until 2014, following the release of his debut studio album, Tsholofelo (2014) which produced the hit singles “Gusheshe” and “Doc Shebeleza”.

Nyovest followed up with his eponymous studio album, Refiloe, in 2015.  The album collaborates with several artists including The Game, DJ Drama, Stonebwoy, and Casey Veggies. He followed this success with his critically acclaimed third studio album Thuto (2018), and his Kwaito-focused fourth studio album, Sweet and Short (2019).

10. Juanita Du Plessis – R9 million

The Legendary Afrikaans country singer, Juanita Du Plessis is one of the richest musicians in South Africa with an estimated net worth of R9 million.  Although born in Namibia, she has grown to be one of the Country’s biggest singers.

Du Plessis began her singing career in 1998 with her debut album “Juanita”. She shot into the limelight for her song Ska-Rumba. Juanita has been in the South African music industry for 24 years and she has released 30 albums and has sold over 3 million units in South Africa.

In 2010 she received a South African Music award in the category of Best Afrikaans DVD for her 10-Year Hit Celebration Production. The DVD contains her most successful hits over the first 10 years of her singing career. She has also crowned the most popular female artist for the seventh consecutive year at Huisgenoot’s Tempo Awards ceremony in Johannesburg in 2011.

Summary.

Here is a recap of the richest musicians in South Africa and their estimated net worth according to Forbes.

1. Steve Hofmeyr – R273 million
2.  AKA – R155.6 million
3. Rebecca Malope – R65.25 million
4. Die Antwoord – R56 million
5. Dj Euphonik  – R34 million
6. Black Coffee – R28.5 million
7. Dj SBU – R27.3 million
8. Oskido – R27.3 million
9. Cassper Nyovest – R9.55 million
10. Juanita du Plessis – R9 million