Singer-songwriter Johnny Drille has advised upcoming artists on the importance of financial discipline and long-term planning.
In a recent interview on the CreativTEA podcast, Drille warned against the temptation to mimic the extravagant lifestyles of prominent musicians, urging young creatives to focus on saving and investing for long-term stability.
Drille emphasized that an artist’s time in the spotlight is limited, with public interest eventually shifting to new talents.
He encouraged making the most of peak earning years by building a secure financial foundation rather than indulging in fleeting luxuries.
Reflecting on his own efforts, Drille noted he recently bought a home with his wife and is constructing another for his parents in Benin.
He cautioned against copying the flashy displays of wealth seen in the industry, stating that some are merely for show and not reflective of true financial health.
Drille advocated for a balanced approach, encouraging artists to enjoy the present while planning for the future.
While admitting to owning a few high-end items, he stressed keeping spending modest compared to the excessive trends some follow.
He said, “My retirement advice to artists is that I think it’s the same principle across. Yeah, definitely save, invest, whatever form that would take.
“My wife and I just got a house, trying to build one for my parents back in Benin. So it’s like, I see a lot of people, a lot of artists, you know, because they see Wizkid and Burna Boy flaunting all these cars. And maybe that’s what we should be doing.
“That’s what artists do. So let’s do that too. Be flaunting and be spending all your money on like, you know, luxury that you don’t really need, and at the end of the day, it’s like, as much as we want to believe that everybody’s going to be relevant forever, everybody will not be relevant forever. Everybody has a set amount of time where you’re going to pop and you’re going to make money.
“And there’s going to be a time when people are not going to be interested in you. They’re going to go look for the next guy or the next new guy. That’s going to be their person.
“I think every, every, every person, every creative has a span and you have to make the most of that span and that is saving, investing and not, not copying whatever flashy lifestyle you see out there. And sometimes a lot of those things I’ve heard some of them are not even real, like people are boring to show off, you know, and you can’t let that inspire you, you have to think for yourself and think of a future, but I think a lot of artists don’t really think about the future, just in a now. Let’s enjoy our lives.
“Of course, enjoy your life, but also think about the future. Well, it’s crazy. I mean, I do have like one or two expensive things, but nothing, nothing, nothing crazy. Well, please advise them”.
