Understanding Your Rights as an Independent Creator
In the West African music landscape, copyright is often divided into two distinct components:
- The Musical Work (Composition & Lyrics): Belongs to the songwriter and composer, generating publishing royalties.
- The Sound Recording (Master Rights): Belongs to the artist or recording label that funded and created the specific audio recording.
When distributing music through carrier ringback channels (CRBT) or digital streaming platforms, retaining master ownership is critical.
“Never sign away your master recording rights merely to obtain telco ringback aggregation. A reputable aggregator operates as a distribution partner, collecting royalties on your behalf without taking your copyright.”
Best Practices for Artist Telco Onboarding
- Register with Copyright Bodies: Ensure your works are documented with the Copyright Office of Ghana and GHAMRO.
- Prepare High-Resolution Stems: Master audio must be formatted to precise broadcast specs (16-bit, 44.1kHz, mono or stereo) with optimized 30-to-45-second hook cutouts.
- Demand Itemized Reporting: Look for monthly statement reports breaking down downloads per mobile network.
Music Mosaic has supported hundreds of Ghanaian creators since 2008. Learn more about our artiste partnerships today.
