The rising cost of living is putting increasing pressure on Abuja’s entertainment industry, with DJs and artistes reporting fewer bookings, higher operating expenses and growing disagreements with clients over service charges.
Speaking exclusively with The Trumpet Newspaper, Daniel Malik, popularly known as DJ Milly, said inflation, fuel prices, transportation, equipment maintenance and other business expenses have made it increasingly difficult for entertainers to remain profitable.
According to him, the economic situation has also changed how Nigerians celebrate, with many people cutting back on parties and other social events because of the rising cost of organising them.
“It has affected it in a lot of ways. Firstly, most people now do not want to engage in celebration activities because of the expenses that have evolved based on the increased inflation and how high things have become so far.”
DJ Milly said some people who still organise events are now looking for cheaper alternatives, with some choosing Bluetooth speakers instead of hiring professional DJs.
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“Not everybody currently can afford the services of a DJ, which is also affecting the economic situation as a DJ.”
Fuel, Transportation Drive Up Costs
The DJ identified transportation and logistics as some of the major challenges facing entertainers, particularly those who have to travel long distances with expensive equipment.
He said fuel costs now form a significant part of the calculation before accepting a booking.
“The financial challenge for DJs today is the prevalent increase of fueling, which really much affects the cost of a DJ service.”
Beyond transportation, DJ Milly said entertainers are also dealing with clients who expect them to maintain rates from previous years despite the sharp increase in operating costs.
“People want to pay you for the same amount they booked you last year, which, of course, cannot work.”
He explained that the money paid for a DJ service covers more than personal income, as entertainers also have to meet expenses related to staff, transportation, equipment and family responsibilities.
“Some of us DJs, we are married and accepting low gig fees will go nowhere in taking care of us, taking care of our staff, taking care of our families.”
Equipment Damage Adds to Financial Burden
DJ Milly also highlighted equipment damage as another risk entertainers face during events.
He recalled situations where DJs have suffered losses after their speakers or other equipment were damaged during performances, with clients sometimes refusing to accept responsibility.
“I’ve been in some occasion where you go for an event and at the end of the day, your speaker gets burnt during the event or in the middle of the event. And clients do not take responsibility when your speaker gets burnt.”
Against this backdrop, he urged DJs to become more deliberate about the jobs they accept rather than taking every available booking regardless of the financial implications.
“I feel DJs are not being paid fairly by event organisers considering the rising cost of living.”
He added that entertainers should establish sustainable standards for their businesses and avoid accepting fees that cannot cover the cost of delivering their services.
“Not all gigs, not all events you should take considering the prevailing cost of things right now and the high cost of living in Nigeria.”
DJ Milly Says Passion Keeps Him Going
Despite the difficulties, DJ Milly said he has never seriously considered abandoning the profession because of the passion that initially drew him to DJing.
“DJing for me at an early stage started as a passion. I love music while growing up and I developed interest into DJing at an early age.”
He also disclosed that he has another professional career, having studied quantity surveying and continuing to practise in the field.
“I studied quantity surveying in school and by the grace of God, I still practise. I still practise as a professional quantity surveyor.”
The entertainer advised DJs and other creatives to develop additional skills and income sources to reduce their dependence on entertainment bookings.
“I would encourage other DJs to consider other forms of income or other skills that can make them generate income aside being a DJ so they don’t get frustrated or stranded along the line due to the prevailing economic situation.”
Calls for Government Support
DJ Milly also called for government intervention through low-interest loans and grants that could help DJs and other creatives purchase equipment and expand their businesses.
He said access to affordable financing could reduce the amount entertainers spend on equipment rentals.
“If there is avenue for them to buy equipment on their own, the cost of renting will be cut down by, let’s say, 50 per cent.”
He further advocated accessible healthcare insurance for entertainers and tax incentives that take into account the costs associated with running creative businesses.
Omoba deJumbo Beats: Entertainment Now Requires Business Skills
Singer Omoba deJumbo Beats also described the current economic climate as a major challenge for entertainers, saying talent alone is no longer enough to build a sustainable career.
“Entertainment is no longer just about talent; you have to understand the business side because everybody is feeling the economy. The person who used to spend money on a big party today may decide to keep the money and manage things at home.”
He said entertainers should not be criticised simply for adjusting their charges, arguing that the cost of providing entertainment services has also increased.
“You cannot tell a DJ or an artiste to maintain the same price when transportation, equipment, studio sessions, promotion and even feeding have all gone up. If the cost of everything around you has increased, your service cannot remain frozen in time.”
According to him, event organisers often see only the final payment made to an artiste or DJ without considering the wider expenses involved in delivering the performance.
“Sometimes people see the artiste or DJ collect the money and they think that is the end of the story. They don’t see the people behind the artiste, the transport, the equipment, the promotion and everything else that has to be paid for.”
DeJumbo Beats also cautioned entertainers against accepting every poorly paid job out of fear that they may not receive another booking.
“If you keep accepting anything because you are afraid there won’t be another booking, eventually you will destroy your own market. Creatives need to know their value, but they also need to be realistic and professional.”
Creative Industry Needs Structured Support
The singer called for greater government support for young people building careers in the entertainment industry, particularly through funding and opportunities that can help them develop sustainable businesses.
“Government should stop seeing entertainment only when celebrities are winning awards or performing at big events. There are thousands of young people trying to survive through this industry.”
The views expressed by DJ Milly and Omoba deJumbo Beats reflect the financial pressures facing many entertainers as they navigate rising operating costs, reduced consumer spending and expectations for affordable services.
For DJs and artistes, the challenge is increasingly about finding a balance between remaining accessible to clients and charging enough to cover the growing cost of running their businesses.
