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Creative, Development Economist and Leader

Maximizing Earnings from Music Sampling: Insights and Realizations As we countdown to the eagerly anticipated Artistry and Music Business Academy For Africa Music Business Workshop, a thought-provoking question emerged from a recent conversation, sparking a deep dive into the nuanced world of music sampling and its potential for profitability. Reflecting on an earlier discussion with Lebogang ShugaSmakx Mothibe, I recall expressing my aspiration to emulate Dido's success with hooks or carve out a niche in creating music specifically for sampling by high-profile artists. Observing the landscape, it became evident that the realm of music crafted for commercial use by celebrated artists was relatively untapped. Marrying the joy of creation with the enigma of fame versus the integrity of the artistic process has always been my quest. The pivotal moment came when 9th Wonder, an internationally acclaimed producer, reached out to sample three tracks from my debut album, signaling a breakthrough, especially in collaboration with Grammy-nominated rapper Rapsody. This experience called to mind Nathi Maphumulo's remarkable journey, transforming sampled artists into global sensations by featuring their work across prestigious stages worldwide, much like he did with Victor Ntoni, thereby introducing his music to a new generation. However, the anticipated financial rewards from such collaborations proved elusive. Despite securing a global publisher and affiliating myself with numerous Collective Management Organizations (CMOs), the anticipated royalties from radio plays in America—a significant marker of success—remained absent, challenging my assumptions about the profitability of sampling. This realization prompts a crucial conversation: Why hasn't there been any royalty income from the use of my songs in the album "The Idea of Beautiful"? It's common to direct frustration towards fellow artists in such scenarios, yet in this case, copyright ownership was equally shared among all collaborators. Was the financial outcome of this endeavor truly negligible? This Thursday I hope we unravel this mystery, delving into the complexities of music royalties, copyright, and the true cost of artistic collaboration. This exploration is not just about understanding past discrepancies but paving the way for artists to navigate the intricate dynamics of the music industry more effectively, ensuring their creativity is not just recognized but rightfully compensated. #MusicIndustry #MusicBusiness #Artistry #Royalties #CopyrightLaw #MusicSampling #ProfessionalGrowth #SampleTunesday #Nomisupasta #fetedelamusique #afropunk #primaverasound #afrikafestival

Luella Jacobs

Management Consultant (MBA)

8mo

The 24 track killed music 🤷🏿♀️

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This is a great step and about time in cementing that relationship for budding artists within the music industry. Well done.

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