Nigerian singer Bella Shmurda has expressed concern over the skyrocketing cost of music promotion, warning that many artists are becoming reluctant to release new albums due to financial pressure. In a recent interview with Naija FM Lagos, the 'Cash App' hitmaker revealed that promoting a standard music video now starts from ₦20 million, making album rollouts extremely capital-intensive.
*The Challenges of Music Promotion*
- *High Production Costs*: Producing a quality music video alone costs no less than ₦20 million, a figure many emerging artists cannot afford.
- *Radio Promotion and Marketing*: Promoting songs on the radio, shooting videos for multiple tracks, and marketing campaigns simultaneously demands a substantial budget.
- *Financial Strain*: The rising expenses have made many artists hesitant to release new projects, particularly albums, slowing the industry's creative growth ¹ ² ³.
Bella Shmurda emphasized that unless the Nigerian music ecosystem becomes more affordable and structured, artists may start avoiding full-length projects entirely. His remarks highlight the growing financial strain within Nigeria's music industry, where high production and promotion costs continue to challenge both rising and established artists ¹.
