As of 2022, Bensoul’s performance fees were set at a flat rate of $2,800 (Sh360,000) for solo bookings and $4,500 (Sh580,000) when performing as part of Sol Generation.
However, after going solo, his rates have increased significantly.
“Those are outdated rates. I no longer accept any international shows that pay less than $10,000 (Sh1.3 million). For local shows, my minimum charge is $8,000 (Sh1 million). This is due to several factors, including taxes and the need to cover the costs of performing with a live band,” Bensoul explained.
Below are the rate cards for other African artists:
Tanzanian artist Zuchu disclosed her rates, stating:
“I don’t attend any show for less than Tsh. 20 million (over Ksh. 960,000).”
She added that the lowest fee she has accepted was Tsh. 15 million, which is approximately more than Ksh. 720,000.
“This year, the lowest-paying show I performed at paid me Tsh. 15 million (over Ksh. 720,000), and the promoter had to be persuaded a lot to agree to this,” Zuchu shared.
Diamond Platnumz’s manager, Sallam SK, also revealed the singer’s rate card.
He mentioned that Diamond does not accept anything less than $100,000 (Ksh 14.2 million), which is the minimum amount.
“He doesn’t take anything below $100,000. When you consider that he goes on stage with 20-30 people who all need to be paid, the costs add up,” he explained when asked about the singer’s charges per show.
He also advised artists to demand similar amounts if they are performing on stages that cost around Tsh 200 million to set up, emphasizing the importance of investing in music.
