Tag: Johnny Drille

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.

Read Also: Johnny Drille: ‘No artist knows when a song will be a hit’

“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”.

Singer-songwriter Johnny Drille has explained what makes a hit song, admitting that no artist can truly predict when a track will blow up.

Speaking on a recent podcast, the Mavin Records artist reflected on his creative process with Don Jazzy, revealing that even their popular hit wasn’t originally intended to top the charts.

“I don’t think when we were making it, we thought, ‘Oh, this is going to be a huge song,’” he said. “I don’t think anybody ever knows what a hit song is going to be until it just goes out and does its thing.”

Johnny Drille also found humor in artists who confidently label their upcoming releases as “hit tracks.”

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“Sometimes I laugh when I see people say, ‘I’m about to release my next hit track,’ and I’m like, bro, you don’t know what’s going to hit. A lot of the time, people who release the biggest songs didn’t even know it would be a hit,” he remarked.

The singer further explained that even with strong production, investment, and marketing, success in music is never certain.

“You can make fantastic music, be hopeful, tick all the boxes, and still, it just doesn’t pop. I think it’s a combination of good luck, timing, and the audience liking what they like. They just do what they want with the song,” he said.

He concluded by advising artists to focus on what they can control — the music itself.

“For the artist, there’s not really much you can do beyond creating beautiful music,” he added.

Singer and songwriter, Johnny Drille, has shed light on the challenges musicians face in earning a living from music streaming in Africa.

Drille, in an interview on CreativiTea podcast, revealed that artists in Nigeria earn significantly less from streaming compared to their counterparts in countries like the UK.

According to Johnny, while a million streams from Nigeria might earn an artist around $300, the same number of streams from the UK could generate as much as $5,000.

Read Also: I never felt my place was in church – Johnny Drille

He said, “If your 1 million streams are from Nigeria, it’s probably like $300. But the same number from the UK could be around $5,000.”

This stark contrast highlights the difficulties African artists face in making a sustainable income from their music.

Despite the impressive numbers on streaming platforms, the returns often don’t reflect the effort and creativity that goes into producing the music.

However, Johnny Drille remains optimistic and encourages upcoming artists to stay focused and persistent.

He said, “It might be tough early on, but if you believe this is your path, just keep pushing. At some point, it will happen for you.”

He advised them to look beyond streaming revenue and focus on building a career through live performances, brand endorsements, and global exposure.

According to him, the bigger money often lies in these opportunities, and with dedication and hard work, artists can eventually reap the rewards of their craft.

Afrobeats singer and songwriter Johnny Drille, has opened up about his musical journey and how he struggled to find his place in the church community despite starting out there.

Speaking during a recent podcast appearance, the singer revealed that although he once served as a music director in church, he never truly felt his style of music belonged there.

“I didn’t feel like my music was predominantly in church. Every now and then, I get invited to churches to sing, which is kind of interesting,” he said.

Johnny Drille also admitted that his transition from gospel to mainstream music came with backlash from some members of the Christian community.

“I’ve gotten a bit of backlash from my Christian community every now and then when they invite me to churches. But at the end of the day, the music is positive. It speaks to good things that sometimes the church doesn’t want to talk about,” he explained.

He went on to criticise how churches often shy away from expressing love through music.

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“The church shies away from talking about love. A lot of times you go for some Christian weddings and you hear Davido and Wizkid. What if the church decides that we want to start doing our own Christian love songs?” he said.

Reflecting on his early days, Johnny Drille said his time as a choir director helped shape his skills as a musician, even though he didn’t perform much at the time.

“There’s a place for worship music, right? But there’s also music about so much more that the church could be singing about. I was a music director, directing the choir, but I never really sang in front of the church. I think it helped me become the musician I am today in terms of my musicianship and performances,” he added.

Nigerian alternative music sensation, Johnny Drille, is set to embark on his much-anticipated UK tour tagged Johnny’s Room Live, with dates locked in across four major cities. Packaged by UK-based entertainment company, Fins Entertainment (Fins Global Limited), the tour promises fans an unforgettable, soul-stirring experience that reflects the depth of the artist’s music and storytelling.

According to Fins Entertainment chief strategist, Olanrewaju Michael, the tour will kick off on April 20 at Koko Camden, London, followed by stops at Secret Space, Birmingham on April 26, SWG3, Glasgow on May 2, and Academy 3, Manchester on May 3.

“Johnny Drille is an artist who connects deeply with his fans, and Johnny’s Room Live is a reflection of that,” said the Finstainment boss during an exclusive chat with The Nation. “This tour is more than just a series of concerts—it’s an intimate, emotional journey. Fans can expect breathtaking performances, raw emotions, and live renditions of both fan favorites and unreleased gems.”

Read Also: It is wrong to judge people on first impression, says Johnny Drille

Fins Entertainment, known for delivering top-tier Nigerian music experiences in the UK, is behind several successful concerts featuring acts like Iyanya, Terry G, and Portable. With Johnny’s Room Live, the promoter says they are not only maintaining their tradition of excellence but also raising the bar by spotlighting a unique voice in Nigerian music.

“Johnny Drille’s music transcends genres. His authenticity and storytelling are unmatched, and bringing him to the UK felt like a natural fit for what Fins Entertainment stands for,” he added.

Though organizing Nigerian concerts in the UK comes with challenges—ranging from logistics to visa hurdles—Fins Entertainment’s strong network and experience in both Nigerian and UK entertainment scenes have helped streamline the process.

“Afrobeats is booming globally, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of its growth in the UK,” he said. “Our goal is not just to host shows, but to create experiences that connect deeply with fans and elevate Nigerian music on the world stage.”

With Johnny’s Room Live, fans across London, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Manchester can look forward to one-of-a-kind live shows that celebrate not just music, but emotion, connection, and culture.