Asake, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Mr Eazi Reportedly Turned Down Big-Money Deals Over Personal and Professional Principles

Some of Nigeria’s biggest music stars have reportedly walked away from lucrative international performance and endorsement opportunities over personal principles, working conditions and concerns about how African artists are treated.

Claims circulating online allege that Asake turned down $4 million for four shows in Dubai, Burna Boy rejected a $5 million Saudi Arabian offer because of restrictions on smoking, Wizkid declined a $3.5 million Puma deal over the treatment of Africans, while Mr Eazi rejected a $10,000 offer from Afro Nation in favour of an equity arrangement.

However, the individual claims do not all have the same level of independent verification.

The Burna Boy claim has previously been publicly reported and is supported by footage of the singer discussing the matter.

In November 2023, Burna Boy said he had turned down a $5 million performance offer in Dubai because he did not want to travel to a place where he could not smoke marijuana.

Reports at the time quoted the singer making the disclosure while rehearsing with his band. 

The available reports, however, identify Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, rather than Saudi Arabia, as the location of the offer.

The claim concerning Asake says the singer rejected $4 million for four Dubai performances, with flights and accommodation reportedly already covered.

A previous report in 2025 cited Asake's former manager, Tunde Phoenix, as alleging that the singer had lost performance opportunities worth more than $4 million. However, that report described the figure as the value of opportunities allegedly lost and did not independently establish the specific claim that Asake rejected four Dubai shows worth $4 million combined. 

Asake has continued to command major international opportunities, including a Spotify-backed concert at London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane in 2026. 

Another claim making the rounds alleges that Wizkid rejected a $3.5 million offer from sportswear company Puma because of concerns over how Africans were treated.

The specific details of the alleged offer and the reason for its rejection could not be independently established from the reliable sources reviewed for this report.

Wizkid's international commercial profile is well documented, but that does not by itself confirm the reported $3.5 million Puma figure or the circumstances surrounding the alleged decision.

Mr Eazi's Alleged Afro Nation Deal

The fourth claim involves Nigerian-Ghanaian singer and entrepreneur Mr Eazi, who is alleged to have rejected a $10,000 payment from Afro Nation in favour of an equity arrangement.

The claim suggests that rather than accepting a fixed performance-related payment, the singer preferred an ownership or equity structure.

However, the specific $10,000 figure and the details of the alleged agreement could not be independently verified from reliable sources reviewed for this report.

If the claims are accurate, the stories highlight a recurring debate within the African music industry over how artists value performance fees, commercial partnerships, ownership and working conditions.

But the four claims should not be treated as equally established. Burna Boy's account of turning down a $5 million Dubai performance has been publicly reported and is supported by footage of his statement, while the specific Asake, Wizkid and Mr Eazi figures require further independent confirmation.

The reported figures have nevertheless generated discussion online about whether some African artists are increasingly willing to sacrifice immediate financial gains when a deal conflicts with their personal preferences, business interests or principles.