The richest artist in South Africa is DJ Black Coffee, who is reportedly worth over R1 billion. In recent years, many music artists have increased their net worths not only from music but also from brand endorsements and side ventures.
While DJ Black Coffee sits atop the list of the top ten richest artists in South Africa, other music artists such as Steve Hofmeyr, Yolandi Visser, and Rebecca Malope have made staggering wealth from their decades-long careers as entertainers. Interestingly, these artists have made impressive marks in both the local and international scenes. Here’s the list of the top 10 wealthiest artists in SA.
Top 10 Richest Artists in South Africa
- DJ Black Coffee
- Steve Hofmeyr
- Yolandi Visser
- Watkin Tudor Jones
- Juanita Du Plessis
- Cassper Nyovest
- DJ Shimza
- Rebecca Malope
- Benjamin Dube
- Leon Schuster
1. DJ Black Coffee
- Date of birth:Â March 11th, 1976
- Age:Â 48 years old
- Net Worth:Â $60 million (R1.1 billion)
Born Nkosinathi Maphumulo, DJ Black Coffee is the richest artist in South Africa. He has a net worth of $60 million (R1.1 billion). In addition to working as a DJ, the KwaZulu-Natal native is a songwriter, record producer, and businessman. He is the owner of a record label called Soulistic Music and equally owns multiple businesses.
Black Coffee began his career in 1994 and has released nine studio albums and a live DVD. Some of his albums including ‘Pieces of Me’ was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA). In 2021, his seventh studio album titled, ‘Subconsiously’ won a Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album. Also, Nkosinathi has performed globally at popular festivals such as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
2. Steve Hofmeyr
- Date of birth:Â August 29th, 1964
- Age:Â 59 years old
- Net Worth:Â $18.73 million (R345.4 million)
Steve Hofmeyr is a 59-year-old singer, songwriter, actor, and former TV presenter who has a net worth of $18.73 million (R345.4 million). He has been active in the entertainment industry for over three decades and is well-known for releasing numerous albums and Extended Plays including ‘Desertbound’ (1989), ‘Tribute’ (1993), Grootste Platinum Treffers (2005), and ‘The Country Collection Vol. 3’ (2019).
3. Yolandi Visser
- Date of birth:Â December 1st, 1984
- Age:Â 39 years old
- Net Worth:Â $10 million (R184.4 million)
South African singer Yolandi Visser is one of the top 10 richest artists in the country. She is a singer, rapper, actress, songwriter, and music director who is famously known as the female vocalist in the rap-rave group, Die Antwoord. Yolandi was born Anri du Toit on December 1st, 1984, and started her career in 2002. She has reportedly accrued a net worth of $10 million from her plethora of careers.
Additionally, as a member of Die Antwoord, Yolandi Visser has featured in a campaign for Alexander Wang’s T range. Later in 2019, the group debuted an online web series titled, ZEF TV.
4. Watkin Tudor Jones
- Date of birth:Â September 26th, 1974
- Age:Â 49 years old
- Net Worth:Â $10 million (R184.4 million)
Professionally known as Ninja, Watkin Tudor Jones is another member of Die Antwoord and he attained international success with the band. With his career spanning over thirty years, Ninja has a total fortune of $10 million, thanks to his diverse efforts in the entertainment scene. Not only is Watkin Tudor Jones a rap artist, but is also a record producer, songwriter, music video director, and actor.
Jones was a member of a South African rap band called The Original. He then moved on to drop his debut solo album, ‘Memoirs of a Clone’ in the year 2001. He subsequently founded Die Antwoord with Yolandi Visser in 2008 and their songs and albums have clinched the top 50 and sometimes, top 10 spots in North American, European, and Australian Music Charts. Additionally, the group’s music was featured in one of Far Cry Franchise’s best-selling video games.
5. Juanita Du Plessis
- Date of birth:Â April 26th, 1972
- Age:Â 52 years old
- Net Worth:Â $9 million (R165 million)
Juanita du Plessis is a renowned Afrikaans country singer who kicked off her career with the release of her debut album, ‘Juanita’. Thus far, in her palmy career, the 52 year-old has had a total record sales of more than 3 million. At the 2011 Huisgenoot’s Tempo Awards, Juanita du Plessis won the Most Popular Female Artist Award for the seventh consecutive year. ’10 Jaar Platinum Treffers’ and ‘Engel van My Hart’ are some of her albums that have attained 4x platinum certification.
6. Cassper Nyovest
- Date of birth:Â December 16th, 1990
- Age: 33 years old
- Net Worth: $8 million (R147.7 million)
At the age of 12, Cassper Nyovest began making music and has dropped several commercially successful albums. His music has accumulated millions of streams on many digital platforms. Also, a businessman, Nyovest established his record label, Family Tree in the year 2014. He further serves as the owner of Root of Fame sneakers, Root of Fame clothing label, and Billiato liquor brand.
7. DJ Shimza
- Date of birth:Â May 15th, 1984
- Age: 39 years old
- Net Worth:Â $5 million (R92.1 million)
Incredibly talented young mix DJ, Shimza ranks among the top five richest artists in South Africa as he reportedly has a net worth of $5 million. DJ Shimza’s real name is Ashley Raphala and he is widely recognized as a house music producer, director of SHIMUZIC Productions, radio mix DJ on Metro FM’s Oskido I Believe Show, and a mix effect master on Channel O.
In 2016, he performed a historic set in his Ibiza debut at Destino’s Closing Party and consequently, was featured in many Spanish publications. Afterward, Shimza bagged a DJ/producer residency at one of the world’s biggest clubs, Privilege in Ibiza, Spain.
8. Rebecca Malope
- Date of birth:Â June 30th, 1968
- Age:Â 55 years old
- Net Worth:Â $5 million (R92.1 million)
Rebecca Malope is popularly known as the ‘Queen of Gospel’. She has released more than 35 studio albums, of which most of them were certified multi-platinum by RiSA. Throughout her career, Rebecca recorded sales of at least 10 million albums. As a result, she ranks as one of the best-selling gospel artists of all time.
9. Benjamin Dube
- Date of birth:Â January 23rd, 1962
- Age:Â 62 years old
- Net Worth:Â $5 million (R92.1 million)
With a net worth of $5 million, Benjamin Dube ranks as the 8th richest artist in SA. The eminent gospel recording artist rose to fame in the early 1980s and has achieved a successful career as a singer and pastor. Through the years, Dube has released many albums that have been certified as either gold or platinum. He serves as the senior pastor of the Hgh Praise Centre in Vosloorus, East of Johannesburg.
10. Leon Schuster
- Date of birth:Â May 21st, 1951
- Age:Â 72 years old
- Net Worth: $3 million (R55.2 million)
South African filmmaker, actor, and musician, Leon Schuster started his career at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). In 1982, he dropped his first album titled, ‘Leon Schuster’ and it sold 10,000 units. His second album, ‘Broekskeur’ recorded sales of over 40,000 units, whereas, his third album titled, ‘Briekdans and Leon Schuster – 20 Treffer’ sold over 270,000. In addition to his acting and filmmaking endeavors, Leon Schuster has amassed a net worth of $3 million.
