Top SA celebrity booking fees in 2025: Highest-paid music artists

South Africa boasts many talented, charismatic musical artists and DJs. They are known for their incredible performances that blow away crowds but how much does it cost to hire them? The rates vary depending on the musician's experience, popularity, type of event, and length of performance among others. Here are the top SA celebrity booking fees in 2025.

Key takeaways

• Renowned internationally, Black Coffee commands a booking fee of approximately R5.5 million per performance.
• A leading figure in the Amapiano genre, Kabza De Small charges around R300,000 for a performance.
• This prominent rapper and entrepreneur has a booking fee of about R207,000 for a 30-minute performance.
• A significant figure in the Amapiano scene, DJ Maphorisa charges between R47,000 and R75,000 per event.

Top SA celebrity booking fees in 2025

Mzansi musicians and DJs make local and international waves, performing everything from traditional African music to contemporary pop and hip-hop. Below is a summary table of top SA celebrity booking fees in Rands.

South Africa's music scene is rich and diverse, with a wide range of genres and styles reflecting the country's unique cultural heritage. Below are the heftiest booking fees some of the top South African music stars charge:

15. Focalistic (R30,000)

• Full name: Lethabo Sebetso
• Date of birth: 26 May 1996
• Age: 28 years (as of 2025)
• Place of birth: Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, South Africa
• Occupation(s): Rapper and record label executive
• Years active: 2016 – present
• Instagram: @focalistic

Focalistic is one of the famous South African musicians. He charges a R30,000 booking fee for a 15-minute performance. Focalistic rose to prominence after his single, Ke Star, reached No. 16 on Billboard Top Triller Global charts. Fans also call hin President ya Straata or Pitori Maradona.

14. A-Reece (R50,000)

• Full name: Lehlogonolo Ronald Mataboge
• Date of birth: 27 March 1997
• Age: 27 years (as of 2025)
• Place of birth: Danville, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
• Occupation(s): Rapper, songwriter and record producer
• Years active: 2013 – present
• Instagram: @theboydoingthings

The rapper has made numerous hits, including Everybody Hates and Reece Better Luck Next Time. He has been in South Africa's music industry since 2013. A-Reece's booking fee is R50,000 for a 30-minute performance. The multi-award-winning rapper has over 50 million streams on Spotify alone.

13. Prince Kaybee (R50,000

• Full name: Kabelo Motsamai
• Date of birth: 15 June 1989
• Age: 35 years (as of 2025)
• Place of birth: Senekal, South Africa
• Occupation(s): DJ and music producer
• Years active: 2017 – present
• Instagram: @princekaybee_sa

Kabelo Motsamai's studio album, Re Mmino (2019), was certified Platinum in SA and earned him a SAMA Male Artist of the Year award in 2020. Thanks to his thriving career, the DJ charges around R50,000 per event, a fair price for such a successful hitmaker.

12. King Monada (R50,000)

• Full name: Khutso Steven Kgatle
• Date of birth: 25 November 1992
• Age: 32 years (as of 2025)
• Place of birth: Tzaneen, South Africa
• Occupation(s): Singer, songwriter, and record producer
• Years active: 2005 – present
• Instagram: @kingmonadamusic

Singer King Monada rose to fame after the release of his 2016 singles, Ska Bhora Moreki and Malwedhe, which reached No. 9 on the iTunes Chart and No. 54 on the Apple Music Chart, respectively. He charges R50,000 for an event.

11. Dladla Mshunqisi (R60,000)

• Full name: Dladla Mshunqisi
• Date of birth: 30 November 1990
• Age: 34 years (as of 2025)
• Place of birth: KwaMashu, South Africa
• Occupation(s): Singer and dancer
• Years active: 2018 – present
• Instagram: @dladla_mshunqisi

Singer/dancer Dladla Mshunqisi is famous for his unique sound and energetic performances. He has collaborated with other notable South African artists and released hit songs such as Pakisha, Cothoza, and Izibongo. Dladla Mshunqis charges around R60,000.

10. DJ Zinhle (R70,000)

• Full name: Ntombezinhle Mohosana
• Date of birth: 30 December 1983
• Age: 41 years (as of 2025)
• Place of birth: Dannhauser, South Africa
• Occupation(s): DJ, producer, media personality, and businesswoman
• Years active: 2002 – present
• Instagram: @djzinhle

She revealed to Gareth Cliff in a CliffCentral interview that she earns around R70,000 per show. DJ Zinhle worked on Boom Shaka's I Put It In album with Dr Malinga, Khanyi Mbau, Mphoza, and other notable artists. The DJ has acted in many local telenovelas and hosted numerous TV shows.

9. Sho Madjozi (R75,000)

• Full name: Maya Christinah Xichavo Wegerif
• Date of birth: 9 May 1992
• Age: 32 years (as of 2025)
• Place of birth: Limpopo, South Africa
• Occupation(s): Rapper, singer, songwriter, actress, and poet
• Years active: 2016 – present
• Instagram: @shomadjozi

Sho Madjozi's starting booking fee ranges between $25,000 (R47,000) and $39,999 (R75,000). In April 2017, the rapper acted in Mzansi Magic's drama telenovela Isithembiso as Tsakane Mboweni. She also released her debut single, Dumi HiPhone, featuring PS DJz, on 28 April 2017. Sho Madjozi is fluent in Swahili, Tsonga, and English, and her hairstyles are influenced by Fulani and Tuareg women.

8. DJ Maphorisa (R75,000)

• Full name: Themba Sonnyboy Sekowe
• Date of birth: 15 November 1987
• Age: 37 years (as of 2025)
• Place of birth: Soshanguve, Pretoria, South Africa
• Occupation(s): DJ, record producer, and vocalist
• Years active: 2008 – present
• Instagram: @djmaphorisa

Themba Sekowe rose to stardom after producing hits Y-Tjukuta for Uhuru, Ngud for Kwesta, Lahla for Busiswa, My Name Is for DJ Zinhle, Jezebel for Professor, and Suited for Shekinah. His other significant hits are Banyana, Izolo, and Abalele. DJ Maphorisa charges between $25,000 (R47,000) and $39,999 (R75,000).

7. Kwesta (R85,000)

• Full name: Senzo Mfundo Vilakazi
• Date of birth: 11 August 1988
• Age: 36 years (as of 2025)
• Place of birth: Katlehong, Gauteng, South Africa
• Occupation(s): DJ and record producer
• Years active: 2002 – present
• Instagram: @kwestadakar

Kwesta's booking fee is around R85,000 for a 45-minute performance. He also charges around $10k (R183k) for an international feature, whether a Nigerian artist or an American rapper.

Most of his songs take top positions in SA charts. Rapper Kwesta's second album, DaKAR (2013), peaked at No. 3 on the iTunes SA hip-hop/rap chart.

His third studio album, DaKAR II (2016), was certified 7× Platinum by RISA. The album spawned singles like Ngud', Nomayini, Day One, Ngiyazifela Ngawe, Mayibabo, and Mmino.

6. Samthing Soweto (R100,000)

• Full name: Samkelo Lelethu Mdolomba
• Date of birth: 21 January 1988
• Age: 37 years (as of 2025)
• Place of birth: Soweto, South Africa
• Occupation(s): Singer and songwriter
• Years active: 2010 – present
• Instagram: @samthingsoweto

Artist Samthing Soweto charges R100,000 for a 30-minute show. The singer is best known for his vocals on Sun-El Musician's song, Akanamali, and his No. 1 single on Spotify, Akulaleki. His other top songs include Hey Wena and Ndod'emnyama.

5. DJ Lamiez (R100,000)

• Full name: Lamiez Mischa Miriam Holworthy-Morule
• Date of birth: 12 June 1992
• Age: 32 years (as of 2025)
• Place of birth: Eersterust, Pretoria, South Africa
• Occupation(s): DJ, TV & radio presenter, record producer, and businesswoman
• Years active: 2010 – present
• Instagram: @lamiez_holworthy

DJ Lamiez's booking fee could be anything from R30,000 to R100,000. The DJ is best known for hosting the SABC 1 music show, Live AMP. Lamiez started her career as an underground DJ in 2010.

In August 2021, she released her debut single, Sthokoze, which features the Lowkeys and Drip Gogo. Later that year, she was nominated for Best Amapiano Female DJ Act at the South African Amapiano Awards.

4. Nasty C (R100,000)

• Full name: Nsikayesizwe David Junior Ngcobo
• Date of birth: 11 February 1997
• Age: 28 years (as of 2025)
• Place of birth: Diepmeadow, South Africa
• Occupation(s): Rapper, songwriter, voice actor, gamer, and record producer
• Years active: 2013 – present
• Instagram: @nasty_csa

Rapper Nasty C charges R100,000, which is no surprise considering his impressive career success. Hits like Best I Ever Had, Hell Naw, and Switched Up have made him a highly sought-after artist.

In June 2022, the rapper landed a role on the Disney+ animated series Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire. His fourth studio album, I Love It Here, was released in September 2023.

3. Cassper Nyovest (R207,000)

• Full name: Refiloe Maele Phoolo
• Date of birth: 16 December 1990
• Age: 34 years (as of 2025)
• Place of birth: Mahikeng, North-West, South Africa
• Occupation(s): Rapper, songwriter, record producer, businessman, and boxer
• Years active: 2013 – present
• Instagram: @casspernyovest

Rapper Cassper Nyovest is undoubtedly one of the country's biggest and most expensive musicians. He broke barriers with his eponymous studio album, Refiloe, released on 31 October 2015, at his Fill Up The Dome concert. Considering his vast commercial success, he charges R207,000 for a 30-minute performance.

2. Kabza De Small (R300,000)

• Full name: Kabelo Petrus Motha
• Date of birth: 27 November 1992
• Age: 32 years (as of 2025)
• Place of birth: Mpumalanga, South Africa
• Occupation(s): DJ, singer, and record producer
• Years active: 2011 – present
• Instagram: @kabelomotha_

DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small charge R200,000 to R300,000 for bookings. He is a major figure in the amapiano genre of house music. Aside from his solo career, Kabza De Small is a member of the Scorpion Kings. He gained international recognition after releasing Umshove in 2018.

1. Black Coffee (R5.5 million)

• Full name: Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo
• Date of birth: 11 March 1976
• Age: 48 years (as of 2025)
• Place of birth: Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
• Occupation(s): DJ, record producer and songwriter
• Years active: 1994 – present
• Instagram: @realblackcoffee

DJ Black Coffee tops the SA artist booking fee list in 2025. He owns the Soulistic Music record label. His first album, Black Coffee (2005), incorporated elements of R&N and jazz. Nkosinathi is among the highest-paid SA musical artists, with a booking fee of R2.2 and R5.5 million.

How much does it cost to book celebrities?

Booking a celebrity for an event can vary widely based on their popularity, the type of event, location, and their availability. The general price range for booking celebrities across Africa is provided in the table above.

What is the celebrity performance fee?

Vocalists (with backing tracks) charge R8,000 upwards, while the DJ booking fee starts between R7,000 and R15,000. South African choirs can charge booking fees from between R8,000 and R15,000.

How to book an artist

Booking a South African celebrity for a performance follows a similar process to booking any artist but with some specific steps for local stars. Here's how you can go about it:

• Determine the Celebrity's Availability and Fees: Check the artist's booking site's official website or social media pages to see if they list booking information or pricing.
• Prepare all the details of your event so you can provide them when reaching out to the celebrity’s team.
• Most celebrities have an official email address for bookings (usually found in their bio on Instagram, Twitter, or their website).
• Negotiate terms and fees once you make contact, with the celebrity’s team.
• Sign a contract once the terms are agreed upon, you will likely receive a contract.
• Most celebrities or their agents will require a deposit to secure the booking.
• Ensure that everything related to the event—venue, equipment, security, etc.—is ready for the artist’s arrival.
• If any outstanding payments are due, ensure they are completed.

Who is the most expensive DJ to book in South Africa?

DJ Black Coffee's booking fee of between R2.2 and R5.5 million makes him one of the most expensive artists in SA.

How much does Cassper charge?

The Gusheshe rapper charges a booking fee of R207,000 per event.

How much does it cost to book DJ Zinhle?

DJ Zinhle earns around R70,000 per show.

How much does Lamiez charge?

The South African female DJ charges anything from R30,000 to R100,000 per show.

Who are the most affordable artists to book in South Africa?

Depending on your agreement, you can hire Vigro Deep, Naak Musiq, Costa Titch, Moozlie, Sha Sha, Semi-Tee, or Sje Konka at R10,000 per gig.

How much does it cost to book Reece Madlisa and Zuma?

Reece Madlisa and Zuma charge R80,000 as a booking fee. The duo has released songs such as Vsop, Iy'ntsimbi zase envy, and iJob iJob. They are childhood friends, but people confuse them for being brothers.

How much does it cost to book A-Reece?

A-Reece's booking fee of R50,000 is a relatively standard rate in the industry. Many South African artists charge almost the same fee.

How much does Focalistic charge per gig?

Focalistic charges a R30,000 performance fee for a 15-minute performance.

How much does Maphorisa charge?

The DJ's booking fee ranges between $25,000 (R47,000) and $39,999 (R75,000).

How much does Leemckrazy charge per gig in South Africa?

As of mid-2024, reports indicated that Leemckrazy charged approximately R8,000 per performance. However, in a subsequent interview, Leemckrazy addressed these claims, suggesting that his booking fee might be higher than previously reported.

How much does it cost to book a gospel artist in South Africa?

Most solo gospel artists and bands charge between R50,000 and R500,000. The Joyous Celebration choir charges R465,000 per show, while the Mafikizolo duo charges R300,000.

Who has the highest booking fee in Africa?

In Africa, Burna Boy commands the highest booking fees, with reported earnings per show reaching $2.86 million. These figures can vary based on factors such as event location, audience size, and the nature of the performance.

The Top SA celebrity booking fees can range from a few thousand to millions of Rands, depending on the artist's profile and the event type. Most Mzansi artists aspire to be more successful by increasing their booking and performance fees.

DISCLAIMER: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!

Briefly.co.za listed the cheapest lodges in Pinetown. Pinetown is rapidly becoming a popular holiday destination for locals and foreigners in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province.

There are several attractions in the region, including museums and nature reserves. Pinetown's cheapest hostel charges as little as R200 per adult per night.

Source: Briefly News