Explainer

Fela Anikulapo Kuti
The Catalogue Lives On: What Happens to an Artiste’s Music After Death?

Death does not end the earning life of a music catalogue. What determines whether that…

contract
Before You Sign: The Contract Clauses African Artistes Keep Glossing Over

A music contract can still affect  an artiste’s career long after the excitement of the…

beat license
Beat Licences, Publishing Rights, and What African Artistes Keep Getting Wrong

A beat licence, when properly structured, is meant to define the terms of that use…

content creator
Sync or Sink: Music Licensing and the African Creator Economy

A song can elevate a video in seconds, but using it without the right permissions…

neighbouring rights
What Are Neighbouring Rights and Why African Artistes and Producers Are Missing Out on Millions

A song can travel the world and generate income in multiple countries, yet the artistes…

east africa
No East African Nation Has Ever Qualified for a FIFA World Cup. Here’s Why

East Africa’s men’s football record represents a structural failure. The region’s women’s football record represents…

buy-out fees
What Buy-Out Fees Really Mean and Why They Matter for Producers

A one-time payment may settle a transaction, but in music, it can also determine who…

360 deals
Understanding 360 Deals in Today’s Music Industry

360 deals, like many industry arrangements, are not uniform in their application. Their impact varies…

Black Box
The Black Box in Music Royalties: Why African Artistes Are Missing Out on Their Money

At an industry level, addressing the black box requires improvements in data systems, stronger international…

splits
Music Splits Explained: Who Gets What From a Song and Why It Matters

Understanding splits is not simply about dividing percentages. It is about ensuring that every person…