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Music & Royalties Explained

Music & Royalties Explained
Author: Music & Royalties Explained
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We Teach the music Business So Artist and Producers Secure their royalties In-Full💵💰 from their Music, One of the Biggest Question asked within the music industry is how to get paid music royalties after your hard work of Writing, Composing, Recording etc. because of this reason I’ve decided to share my knowledge independent artist and producers etc who would like to becoming successful in their music journey. Im successfully earning music royalties from multiple sources including Soundcloud, Spotify, Napster, Deezer, AudioMack, from Publishing, Earning from Performance & Mechanical Royalties etc. Now it’s your turn, I created this as a guide to help you on your success on how to collect your royalties and promoting your music so you will earn from it, you’ll also have a basic understanding about what percentages are fair so that you get paid what you are worth.
music business, music royalties, mechanical royalties, performance royalties, ASCAP, BMI, songwriter tips, indie music, artist income, streaming platforms, music publishing, songtrust, harry fox, music distribution, get paid for your music, royalty rates, CD printing, how to monetize music, music education podcast, lofi artist royalties, Spotify revenue, music copyright, indie artists, music marketing, how to collect royalties
music business, music royalties, mechanical royalties, performance royalties, ASCAP, BMI, songwriter tips, indie music, artist income, streaming platforms, music publishing, songtrust, harry fox, music distribution, get paid for your music, royalty rates, CD printing, how to monetize music, music education podcast, lofi artist royalties, Spotify revenue, music copyright, indie artists, music marketing, how to collect royalties
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The source material discusses the ongoing YouTube copyright dispute between creator Rick Beato and Universal Music Group (UMG), focusing on the alleged weaponisation of Content ID claims by major record labels to seize video monetisation from creators. A "Top Music Attorney" video transcript details how Beato is receiving numerous, often repeated, claims on his educational videos, despite previously winning a fair use dispute on a specific track, demonstrating how UMG is allegedly ignoring YouTube's claim resolution policies. The attorney explains the four factors of fair use in copyright law, empowering creators to understand and file counter-notifications, arguing that these labels are employing bully tactics to force creators to surrender revenue rather than risk escalating to the severe Stage 2 counter-notification process. Beato himself confirms he is fighting these claims to raise awareness for smaller creators, noting that while he is frustrated, he is relying on others to file potential lawsuits.
The source is an article from the New York Post detailing the announcement of Doja Cat's 2026 ‘Tour Ma Vie World Tour’ following the release of her fifth studio album, "Vie." The piece confirms the artist's return to touring despite a previous announcement of retirement and includes positive critical reactions to the new, synth-heavy album. Furthermore, the article provides a complete list of tour dates spanning from May to December 2026, information on where fans can purchase tickets, and a set list from a previous concert in the summer of 2025. It also highlights other contemporary Hip-Hop artists who are touring during the same period.
The source details the musical duo Sylvan Esso's decision to remove their entire catalog from the streaming platform Spotify while simultaneously releasing a new self-released single titled “WDID.” This move is explained by the duo, consisting of Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn, who stated they cannot continue to put their music on a platform that "directly funds war machines" due to its founder Daniel Ek’s investment in a weapons contractor. Sylvan Esso is the latest in a series of artists, including Deerhoof and Godspeed You! Black Emperor, to pull their music from Spotify in protest of Ek's venture capital firm Prima Materia's investments in the defense sector. The duo released the new track independently through their own label, Psychic Hotline, marking a decisive shift away from the streaming giant.
The source provides a transcript from a YouTube video by a top music attorney discussing the recent signing of the AI artist Monae to Hallwood Media in a deal reportedly worth up to $3 million. This is noted as the second AI artist signed by this label, following "I'm Oliver," and the video explores the implications of record labels monetizing AI music while major labels are simultaneously suing the AI generator Suno. The attorney also addresses the controversy and pushback from human artists, such as Khani, who feel that AI music devalues their work, and further explains the complex legal issues surrounding copyright and the collection of publishing royalties for AI-generated works, noting that performance rights organizations like BMI and ASCAP currently do not accept fully AI-generated music. Finally, the source touches on the commercial success of Monae's music, which has millions of streams, and raises questions about whether audiences are connecting with the human-created lyrics behind the AI avatar.
The YouTube transcript provides an overview of Taylor Swift's career trajectory and how she transitioned from a determined young artist to a billionaire mogul. It explains that her success is rooted in strategic decision-making, emphasizing her skills as a master storyteller who cultivated a deep connection with her fanbase, known as "Swifties." The text details her evolution from country music to pop, the intense public feuds and backlash she faced, and the pivotal moment when she lost the masters to her early albums, which led to her groundbreaking re-recording strategy ("Taylor's Versions"). Ultimately, the source frames Swift's empire as being built on owning her value, creating the repeatable system of "eras," and bypassing traditional industry power structures to control her intellectual property and maximize profits, notably through the record-breaking Eras Tour.
Spotify's $10 Billion Lie: Unpacking Royalties, AI Bots, and the True Cost of a Stream
The provided text is an excerpt from a YouTube video transcript of an interview between the host of the Indie Music Academy channel and Sam, Spotify's Head of Marketing and Policy for Spotify for Artists. The discussion focuses on several critical issues facing independent musicians, including monetisation, royalty payments, and the complexities of the streaming economy. Sam addresses common misconceptions, such as the fixed per-stream rate, explaining that Spotify's model prioritises growing the total royalty pool through user engagement, even if the per-stream calculation is lower than competitors. Furthermore, the conversation explores the company’s efforts to combat artificial streaming (bots) and details Spotify's policy approach to AI-generated music, particularly concerning impersonation and mass uploads.
The source, a transcript from a YouTube video, outlines the key differences between music distribution and music publishing administration. Music distributors are responsible for placing music in retail stores and digital platforms like Spotify, collecting payments from sales or streams of the sound recording (the master), and then paying the artist or label after taking a fee. Conversely, music publishing administrators manage the rights of songwriters by registering songs with performing rights and mechanical rights organizations, handling licensing, and collecting the publishing royalties for the composition, though they do not own any rights to the songs. The video also details various companies that offer these services, such as CD Baby and Tunecore, and provides advice on the necessity of registering songs with the Library of Congress and signing with a performing rights organization (PRO) even when using an administrator.
The provided transcript excerpt from a YouTube video offers a detailed explanation of Songdex, which is described as the largest database for music rights and related business information, launched in 2016 by Music Reports. Publishers and songwriters are the primary audience, as Songdex allows them to search for and claim unmatched tracks, register new musical works, and review existing titles within the database. The video outlines the process for creating an account, searching the database using filters such as title, writer, or performer, and the options available within the account, including manual or bulk registration. It is noted that while Songdex facilitates these actions, a separate Music Reports account is required to receive royalties, and users are warned against creating duplicate entries by registering songs in both Songdex and Music Reports.
The source, an excerpt from a YouTube video transcript, explains that neighboring rights royalties are public performance royalties owed to artists and master rights owners when a sound recording is broadcast or publicly played. The video highlights that the United States does not pay these royalties for domestic performances, stemming from its failure to attend and sign the Rome Convention in 1961, which in turn causes other countries to often withhold payment from US artists. However, the source notes that SoundExchange does collect non-interactive digital streaming royalties and can collect some international neighboring rights through reciprocal agreements, and services like Royalty Claim can help artists recoup unclaimed international funds. Finally, the speaker encourages artists to support legislation, such as the proposed AM/FM Act, aimed at securing these royalties for US terrestrial radio play.
The 25-Day Indie Music Shortcut: Quality Engagement, Community Building, and Releasing Like a Hero in 2025
The source provides an extensive, day-by-day promotional plan for independent musicians aiming to release a single in 2025, offering a detailed 25-day roadmap. The advice emphasises a shift toward quality over quantity in content creation, focusing on making promotion fun, creative, and community-driven, rather than solely chasing viral discovery on platforms like TikTok. Key activities outlined include planning content shoots, auditing social media profiles for better artist identity, designing an audience avatar, and crucial steps for pre-release, such as setting up aggregators, picking a release date, and preparing an Electronic Press Kit (EPK). The plan highlights the importance of one-to-one interaction with fans on release day and maintaining post-release momentum through continued content and strategic preparation for the next single.
The Music Crisis of 2025: Unpacking the Misaligned Triangle of Entitlement Driving Artists to Quit
The YouTube video transcript addresses the widespread suffering and quitting of musicians due to anxiety and depression, challenging the popular notion that Spotify alone is to blame for the music industry's broken economics. The speaker outlines a "misaligned triangle" of perceived entitlement among platforms like Spotify, labels, and the consumer, who has grown accustomed to accessing music for free since the digital shift began with Napster. Highlighting the dramatic decline of physical music sales, the speaker asserts that the current ecosystem is unsustainable and is causing the quality of music to deteriorate as artists are forced to prioritize quantity over quality. Ultimately, the source argues that the only way to create true, lasting change and provide artists with fair compensation is through legislation, urging a collective effort to increase authority and make noise.
The Artist's Growth Cheat Code: 5 Brutal Daily Habits to Explode Streams and Build Momentum
The single source provided is an excerpt from a YouTube video transcript by Damian Keyes, offering five daily habits for musicians to significantly boost their Spotify streams and overall audience growth. The first key habit emphasizes daily research and imitation of successful social media content to gain initial momentum, suggesting that originality is less important than being good at the start. The second crucial habit is the brutal analysis of data, focusing on metrics like user drop-off points to optimize content rather than concentrating on superficial demographics. The third rule is the "Never Stop Testing" (NST) principle, urging artists to constantly test various elements of their content, from style to timing, to identify winning strategies. Habit number four suggests that going live on social media, particularly TikTok, is a powerful "cheat code" for rapid growth and even earning income. Finally, the fifth habit advises a mindset shift from focusing on "fans" to treating the audience as "listeners" with respect and friendliness, recognizing that building a dedicated listener base is more valuable than chasing impressions.
The YouTube transcript offers a detailed personal comparison between Spotify and Apple Music based on a month-long trial by a dedicated Spotify user. The author concludes that, despite Apple Music's superior visual aesthetics (including dynamic lock screen animations and lossless audio), Spotify remains superior for daily use. The key reasons cited for Spotify's dominance are its better music recommendations, more vibrant ecosystem, and the inclusion of user-submitted playlists. Conversely, the author found Apple Music's interface confusing and its curated content, such as its "new section," poorly tailored to their preferences, ultimately leading to the verdict that Apple Music is not yet a viable alternative to Spotify.
Spotify Strikes Deals With Sony for Records and Publishing, Improving Songwriter Royalties
The provided source is an excerpt from a Billboard article detailing a significant new partnership between Spotify and Sony Music Group, which includes deals for both recorded music and publishing. This agreement is particularly noteworthy because it makes Sony the third and final major music company to sign new direct licensing deals with Spotify, partly in response to the streaming service’s previous decision to reduce royalty rates for songwriters. Spotify had achieved this reduction by reclassifying its premium subscriptions as “bundles” after adding audiobooks, a move that the National Music Publishers’ Association claimed cost songwriters hundreds of millions of dollars. The new multi-year global pacts are intended to result in higher royalties for songwriters and include initiatives like enhanced audio and visual formats, as executives from both companies expressed a shared commitment to building a more dynamic and prosperous music ecosystem.
Don't Get Robbed: Your Essential Guide to Music Royalties & Copyright Protection
The transcript from the Top Music Attorney on a YouTube channel, titled "#1 Mistake Artists Make With BMI & ASCAP," addresses common errors artists make when registering music with performance rights organizations (PROs) like ASCAP and BMI. The video details numerous mistakes, such as waiting too long to register music—which causes artists to miss out on retroactive performance royalties—and falsely believing that PRO registration offers copyright protection, which must be secured separately through the U.S. Copyright Office. Other key points include the clarification that artists do not need a separate publisher to collect both writer and publisher shares of royalties and the need to register music one song at a time rather than as an entire album. Finally, the attorney emphasizes the importance of registering copyright as the critical step that provides the legal rights necessary to pursue statutory damages in infringement cases, such as the class action lawsuit mentioned involving independent artists and AI training.
Don't Leave Money on the Table: Your Essential Guide to Collecting Music Royalties and Building a Sustainable Career
The source provides an extensive guide for musicians on how to effectively collect all their music royalties. It outlines five key avenues for income: registering with a music distributor to place music on streaming platforms, joining a performance rights organisation like BMI or ASCAP for public performance royalties, registering with SoundExchange for non-interactive streaming, utilising the Mechanical Licensing Collective for mechanical royalties, and considering Songtrust for international performance and mechanical royalty collection. Additionally, the source encourages artists to explore direct-to-fan monetisation strategies to supplement their royalty income, emphasising the value of their music beyond traditional distribution channels. This holistic approach aims to empower artists to treat their music as a valuable asset and maximise their earnings.
The provided text, a transcript from a YouTube video by "Top Music Attorney," discusses the potential decline of Spotify due to several controversial decisions and developments. It highlights concerns over a forthcoming "super premium deluxe tier" that may allow users to remix music, potentially without artists' explicit consent, citing existing distributor contracts that could grant such rights. Furthermore, the source points to Spotify's recent introduction of social media-like features, such as in-app messaging and a beta "mix" feature, as possibly bloating the platform. Finally, the text addresses a significant artist exodus from Spotify, driven by the CEO's investments in AI military technology and the platform's perceived inaction against AI-generated music impersonating human artists, advocating for artists to sell music independently rather than relying solely on streaming.
With the ongoing shifts in the music streaming landscape, Spotify might be facing significant challenges that could alter its leading position. Explore the potential scenarios and implications for the platform as it navigates through this crucial period.
AI Tech To Pay $1.5 Billion to Creators | Is It Enough?
A QUICK LOOK
The provided source primarily discusses recent developments in copyright law and artificial intelligence (AI), focusing on settlements and licensing frameworks for creative works. It highlights the Anthropic AI settlement of $1.5 billion to authors for unauthorised use of copyrighted books, a payout considered the largest for copyright infringement in history. This settlement, however, has drawn criticism for the perceived inadequacy of the compensation per author and concerns over the loss of control and future royalties for creators. Additionally, the source examines a new AI music licensing framework introduced by Sweden's STIM, which aims to provide royalties to songwriters for both the training of AI models and the consumption of AI-generated music, acknowledging the significant impact of AI on creator revenue. The discussion underscores the ongoing debate about fair compensation, control over intellectual property, and future payment structures in the evolving landscape of AI and creative industries.