Music distribution and music publishing sound alike, but they definitely are not the same in Nigeria. While both involve royalties and the business of music, it might be difficult for many artistes to tell them apart.
A clear definition will help clear the fog because too many Nigerian artists jump into music without understanding the business side. And as you already know, the music business is beyond talent. One needs to have structure and business sense to thrive as an artiste.
If you’re an upcoming Nigerian artist trying to make sense of the music industry, knowing the difference between the two could mean the world for your career. In this article, we will explain the differences between music publishing and distribution so you can have a better understanding of both.
What are Royalties in the First Place?
Royalties are simply the money paid to music creators (and sometimes their representatives) whenever their music is used. As a creative in the music space, it’s your “cut” every time someone, somewhere enjoys or uses your music commercially.
What do we mean? Let’s look at this example. If your song gets streamed on Spotify, Apple Music, Boomplay, or Audiomack, you are entitled to royalties. If it gets used in a Nollywood movie soundtrack. Even radio stations playing your jam repeatedly could earn you royalties too.
In other words, royalties are the lifeblood of the music business. A music artiste that does not understand this could be leaving money on the table and believe me, in Nigeria’s Afrobeats industry, that’s a huge loss.
With revenue from the digital music market projected to have a market volume of US$74.35m by 2030, it’s clear that the industry is growing rapidly.
This means that royalties, both from publishing and distribution, are more important than ever. As an artiste, the best thing you can do for yourself is to learn how the business of music works so you can get a share of the market.
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What Is Music Publishing?
Music publishing deals with the ownership, administration, and monetization of songs as intellectual property. Notice that we said songs, not recordings. In publishing, the emphasis is on the composition. That is the lyrics, melody, chords, and structure of the song itself.
So, for example, when Teni wrote “Case,” even if another artist sang it, Teni, as the songwriter is entitled to publishing royalties.
Let’s also assume you wrote a hit chorus that Burna Boy decides to feature in his new single. Even if you don’t sing those lyrics yourself, you should still get paid every time that song is played worldwide. That’s publishing royalties at work.
Types of Royalties in Music Publishing
Publishing royalties come in different forms, and here are the major ones in Nigeria:
- Performance Royalties: This is earned when your music is played publicly (radio, TV, clubs, concerts, streaming). Every time the song you wrote is played on the radio or TV, you are owed performance royalties.
- Mechanical Royalties: This is earned when your song is reproduced (downloads, CDs, vinyl, streaming). So, if the song you wrote is streamed or downloaded, you earn mechanical royalties (for the composition).
- Synchronization (Sync) Royalties: You get this when your music is synced with visuals (ads, movies, video games). Whenever your music is used in a movie, advert, YouTube video, games, you get sync royalties.
These are all publishing rights available to songwriters and composers. Guess what? Many music artistes and songwriters do not know about this. Others just ignore it because they’re focused on recording and promoting.
What many don’t know is that publishing is where long-term, sometimes generational wealth comes from. That’s why it is something you shouldn’t wave aside.
The big Nigerian Collecting Societies like COSON (Copyright Society of Nigeria) are supposed to handle part of this job, though many artists complain about inefficiency and transparency. Still, publishing is essential because it protects the songwriter and composer’s income.
What Is Music Distribution?
Music Distribution comes after you’ve recorded a song. It involves getting your music to the listeners, some of who include your fans, audience, streamers etc.
Back in the day, distribution meant physically pressing CDs and hawking them at Alaba International Market in Lagos. Today, distribution is digital. The new method of music distribution is all about getting your music to listeners across platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Audiomack, YouTube Music, Boomplay, and more.
Over time, we’ve witnessed traditional music distribution gradually phase out to give place to streaming platforms as the new marketplaces for distributing/selling music.
Distribution Royalties Include:
- Streaming royalties: From platforms like Spotify, Boomplay, and Apple Music.
- Download royalties: When fans buy your song on iTunes or Amazon.
- Sales royalties: For physical sales (though this is almost dead in Nigeria)
What a Music Distribution Platform Can Do for You
With music distribution, you:
- Upload your track to a distributor like Mayvibe.com.
- They deliver it to all the streaming platforms, along with your accurate metadata (song title, songwriter names, ISRC codes).
- You get paid your artist royalties from streams, downloads, and sales.
To understand this, let’s say you release a single today, your distribution company ensures it shows up on Spotify, Apple Music, Boomplay, and Audiomack, and other platforms all at once.
They then track the analytics and give you detailed reports on streams, downloads, listener demographics, and any other details you require.
The responsibility of paying royalties is on them too. Distribution companies like Mayvibe have a withdrawable wallet where they pay with the money earned from streams and digital sales.
Do you know that a good distribution system is part of what helped artistes like Asake, Rema, Ayra Starr, and Fireboy become global stars so quickly? Yes, it is. They got on every platform and dominated the charts.
As someone in a competitive space like the music industry, it’s important to note that without distribution, nobody (or very limited number of people) will hear your music, no matter how good it is.
So while publishing focuses on protecting and monetizing the songwriting side, distribution focuses on making your recording available and earning money from how people listen.
Why Do Nigerian Artists Confuse the Two?
Simple. Because both involve royalties. But they come from different sources. In simple terms, in Nigeria, music publishing royalties means money for the songwriter and composer while distribution royalties means money for the recording artist.
In Nigeria, many upcoming artists don’t even register their songs with collecting societies like COSON (Copyright Society of Nigeria) or Performing Rights Society – PRS (if they want international publishing royalties). They just upload to Audiomack and chase streams.
That’s a start. Yes. But, it means you’re leaving good money on the table. And you don’t want to do that. If you only focus on distribution, you’ll make money from streams but miss out on publishing income. And if you only focus on publishing, your music may not even reach listeners in the first place.
How Does Mayvibe Come in?
For Nigerian artistes, a distribution platform can make or break your career. That’s where you need Mayvibe. Unlike many generic distribution platforms, Mayvibe is built with Nigerian artistes in mind. It ensures:
- Your songs reach major global platforms (Spotify and Apple Music etc.).
- You get your royalties transparently and on time.
- You have access to analytics, so you know where your fans are listening from.
- Your music also reaches local platforms that matter in Africa, like Boomplay and Audiomack.
In other words, Mayvibe handles your distribution so you can focus on your creativity. If you combine that with publishing registration (through COSON or international societies), you’ve secured both ends of the music money pipeline.
Common Misconceptions Nigerian Artists Have About Both Terms
“Once my song is on Audiomack, I don’t need publishing.”
Wrong. Distribution gets your song heard; publishing makes sure you’re paid when it’s used.
“My label handles everything.”
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Always read your contract. Many labels only focus on distribution while ignoring publishing.
“Publishing is only for foreign artists.”
This is not true. Nigerian artists get sync opportunities too. Just think of how many Nollywood movies and commercials use Afrobeat songs daily.
How to Secure Both Music Publishing and Distribution in Nigeria
Register your songs with COSON (or an international collecting society like BMI, ASCAP, or PRS).
Distribute your music via Mayvibe to ensure it reaches the biggest streaming platforms.
Monitor your royalties. Don’t just chase streams; make sure your publishing royalties are also accounted for.
Think global. Streaming is borderless, so even if you’re in Port Harcourt, your fan in New York can be streaming your track.
Invest in sync opportunities. Talk to brands and filmmakers who might want to use your songs.
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Enjoy the Best of Both Worlds
At the end of the day, music publishing and distribution in Nigeria are two sides of the same coin, but not exactly the same coin. Publishing protects and monetizes your songwriting rights, while distribution pushes your recorded music to listeners and ensures you’re paid from streams and downloads.
For Nigerian artists, mastering both worlds is no longer optional. With Afrobeat’s global rise and streaming becoming the main source of revenue, you can’t afford to neglect either side.
Confusion between music publishing and distribution is one of the reasons why many talented artists in Nigeria stay broke despite having viral hits. Don’t let this happen to you.
Let Mayvibe handle your distribution needs and advise you on other aspects. If you need this service, don’t hesitate to send a message to get personalized consultation.