If your music is getting played, you should be getting paid—every cent, every time. Yet, many artists lose money due to unclaimed royalties, unclear royalty splits, and missing registrations.
In 2025, the music industry is more digital than ever, meaning if you don’t have the right system in place, your earnings could be slipping away.
You can change that, even if you’re not signed to a label. What you need most is the right knowledge and tools.
This guide will show you exactly how to track, claim, and maximize your royalties so that every stream, download, and performance puts cash in your pocket.
Step 1: Know Where Your Royalties Come From
Your music earns money in different ways. If you don’t know where to collect your royalties, you’re leaving money on the table. Here’s what you should track:
- Streaming Royalties – Earned when your music is played on platforms like Boomplay, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Audiomack.
- Performance Royalties – Earned when your music is played on radio stations like Trace Africa, Sound City, and BBC Africa, or in public spaces like clubs, concerts, and TV shows.
- Mechanical Royalties – Generated when your song is downloaded, bought on digital stores (like iTunes), or physically sold.
- Sync Royalties – Earned when your music is used in Nollywood movies, advertisements, games, or on platforms like Netflix.
If you are not set up to collect all these royalties, you are losing money!
Step 2: Register with the Right Collection Agencies
To receive your royalties, your music needs to be tracked by the right agencies. In Africa, many artists miss payments simply because they are not registered.
Here’s where you should sign up:
🔹 Performing Rights Organizations (PROs)
- Nigeria: COSON (Copyright Society of Nigeria)
- South Africa: SAMRO (Southern African Music Rights Organization)
- Ghana: GHAMRO (Ghana Music Rights Organization)
- Kenya: MCSK (Music Copyright Society of Kenya)
🔹 Mechanical Rights Agencies
- CAPASSO (South Africa, Pan-African coverage) – Collects mechanical royalties across the continent.
- The Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC, Global) – Useful if your music is played internationally.
🔹 Digital Music Distribution Platforms
Platforms like Highvibes Distribution ensure your streaming royalties are collected and paid directly to you.
Without registering with these agencies, your money stays unclaimed—and someone else may collect it instead.
Step 3: Get Your Royalty Splits Right from Day One
If you collaborate with other artists, producers, or songwriters, you need to agree on royalty splits before releasing your music. Without a clear agreement, payments can be delayed—or worse, lost.
Use a split sheet (a simple document that states how much each contributor gets).
Register these splits with your distributor and PRO to ensure correct payments.
Avoid verbal agreements—get everything in writing!
This step is critical if you work with international producers or feature other artists in your songs.
Step 4: Fix Your Metadata – It Can Make or Break Your Royalties
Metadata is the digital ID card of your song. If it’s incorrect or missing, your royalties may never reach you.
Before uploading your music, make sure:
✅ Your song title and artist name are 100% correct.
✅ Your track has a unique ISRC (International Standard Recording Code).
✅ Songwriters, producers, and featured artists are properly credited.
Platforms like Boomplay, Apple Music, and Spotify rely on metadata to track plays and distribute royalties. Bad metadata = lost money.
Step 5: Track Your Royalties and Claim Unpaid Money
- Use your distributor’s dashboard (like Highvibes Distribution) to check your earnings.
- Regularly review PROs and royalty agencies for unclaimed money.
- Compare expected vs. actual payouts using royalty tracking apps or spreadsheets.
Most African artists don’t follow up on their earnings—and that’s why money goes unclaimed!
Music is Business.
Businesses don’t leave money on the table. By following these steps, you’ll ensure that every play, stream, and performance puts money where it belongs—right in your pocket.
Want an easy way to distribute your music and collect your royalties? Highvibes Distribution ensures you never miss a payment. Start today!
