Nigerian Afrobeat singer Oludipe David, popularly known as Spyro, has candidly shared his harrowing experience of nearly dying broke amid career struggles, revealing the intense financial pressures that come with being a musician in Nigeria. Spyro highlighted how the fear of failure and his father's discouraging words fueled his determination, but also exposed the harsh realities many artists face in sustaining their careers.
In a recent interview, Spyro recounted moments when he seriously believed that his dreams of musical success might end in financial ruin. Despite the challenges, he persevered by relying heavily on prayer and faith to guide his music releases and promotional activities. Spyro noted that producing singles and music videos in Nigeria is extremely costly, with music videos like his hit 'Shut Down' costing over ₦40 million. Additional expenses on radio airplay, influencer marketing on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, and sponsored ads add up to hundreds of millions of naira per release.
Spyro also revealed that the demands on him as a public figure are relentless, from frequent gifting to covering bills in social and religious settings, often amounting to about ₦15 million annually just in personal expenditures related to maintaining his public image. He lamented how many people expect financial help immediately, sometimes resorting to insults when he cannot deliver on the spot.
He emphasized the importance of building a network of supportive friends within the industry to reduce costs and survive the financial burden of fame. Despite public disputes, such as a highly publicized financial disagreement with former manager Paul Okoye, Spyro remains focused on his craft and spiritual grounding.
Spyro’s openness sheds light on the darker side of celebrity life in Nigeria the constant financial strain, high expectations from the public, and the lifestyle costs that come with trying to succeed in a competitive music industry. His story resonates with many upcoming and established artists who face similar struggles balancing passion with economic realities.