Burna Boy earned $11.8 million from eight international concerts in two years.
According to ChartsAfrica on X, Burna Boy has had 8 of the 10 highest-grossing concerts by an African artist in the last two years (2022 and 2023). The Nigerian music star has not just made international performances part of his routine to make additional revenue from his work but has done so by selling out historical centres on multiple occasions.
Burna Boy’s top grossing concerts as revealed by ChartsAfrica include Paris La Defense Arena (France) – $2.86 million, Madison Square Garden (US) – $1.58 million, Ziggo Dome (Netherland) – $1.56 million, Capital One Arena (US) – $1.43 million, O2 Arena (London) – $1.35 million, BMO Stadium (US) – $1.22 million, State Farm Arena (US) – $905,024, and Oakland Arena (US) – $885,278.
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Wizkid’s two Madison Square Garden shows complete the top 10 list, with the artist making a combined $1.95 million.
It is important to note that Burna Boy would have only benefited from some of that money, as non-reported splits would have gone to his team, the venues, the promoters, the marketing budget, and tax laws, among other things.
According to a Guardian article titled, ‘Where concert ticket money goes’, concert revenues are subjected to various deductions before reaching the artist and promoter.
The article noted that taxes, ranging from 5 percent in the US to 35 percent in some European countries, are applied to ticket sales. Public performance royalties, typically 0.1 – 0.8 percent depending on venue size, go to the songwriters.
After these, only about 84 percent of the gross remains, which covers fixed expenses such as venue-related costs, staff, insurance, and equipment.
After deducting all these expenses, Guardian said approximately 50 – 70 percent of the gross is left, split between the artist, manager, and promoter, with the artist commonly getting 80 – 85 percent of the revenue left. The article also explained that the promoter might receive as little as 5 percent in some cases, especially if ticket demand is high for expensive tickets.
