GUIDE RELEASING

What is a music royalty?

A practical walkthrough of a first release — from the master file on your desktop to a live release everywhere. Written for artists who have never distributed before; no jargon left unexplained.

01

Prepare your master

Export the final mix as an uncompressed WAV — 24-bit / 48kHz is the delivery standard. Listen to the whole file once, start to finish, on headphones and on a phone speaker. Check the start and end for clicks, and leave no accidental silence at either end.

Uncompressed WAV, 24-bit / 48kHz
Full listen-through on two devices
No clipping, clicks or trailing silence
02

Artwork that passes review

Artwork requirements vary by destination. Confirm the current file, colour, text and logo rules before delivery.

3000×3000 px, RGB
Readable at thumbnail size
No platform logos, handles or URLs
03

Metadata & codes

Metadata is how the world finds you: artist name spelled exactly the same way every release, the real title with no decoration, the correct language and genre tags. Identifier codes — ISRC for the recording, UPC for the release — are assigned during onboarding; you do not need to buy them anywhere.

✦ Spelling drift is the most common first-release mistake — “Human decision”, “LaylaNoor” and “Layla N.” become three different artists in the stores.
04

Choose your release date

Give yourself runway. A date several weeks out leaves room for review, delivery and pitching before day one. Align the date with anything you control — a video, a show, a post series — so the release lands with support rather than alone.

05

Apply for your invite

Mazufa is invite-only. Complete applications enter a human-review queue subject to capacity. Submitting never creates an account; approved applicants may receive a private onboarding invitation.

06

After approval

Once onboarded, an eligible release is prepared to current destination specifications. Available reporting depends on platform data and account access.

TERMS USED IN THIS GUIDE
ISRC

An ISRC identifies a recording; reporting and royalty coverage depend on each platform and agreement.

UPC

The barcode of your release — one per single, EP or album.

DSP

Digital Service Provider — a music service such as Spotify, Apple Music or Anghami, subject to current availability.

PAGE CONTENT
Home Music Royalties

A royalty is money you earn whenever your music is streamed, sold or used. There are a few types, and knowing them helps you collect everything you're owed. Here's the simple version.

The types

The main music royalties

RoyaltyEarned when…
Recording (master)your recording is streamed or sold
Mechanicalyour composition is reproduced/streamed
Performanceyour song is played publicly or on radio
Syncyour song is used in video, film or ads

Your distributor collects the recording royalties from streaming and pays them to you. Performance and mechanical publishing royalties are collected via a PRO/publisher. General information, not legal or financial advice.

retain rights and royalty treatment subject to the applicable agreement

Collect what you're owed

Mazufa pricing, eligible services, fees, deductions, ownership and royalties follow the current plan and applicable agreement. how artists get paid from streaming and estimate yours with the royalty calculator.

Questions

Frequently asked

What is a music royalty?

A music royalty is money you earn when your song is streamed, downloaded, sold, performed publicly, or used in video. Different uses generate different royalty types.

What are the main types of music royalties?

Recording (master) royalties from streams/sales, mechanical royalties from reproductions, performance royalties from public play, and sync royalties from use in video/film/ads.

Who collects my streaming royalties?

Mazufa pricing, eligible services, fees, deductions, ownership and royalties follow the current plan and applicable agreement.

What is a PRO?

A Performing Rights Organization collects performance royalties for songwriters when music is played publicly. It's separate from your distributor.

Review the current plan and applicable agreement. Subject to eligibility and platform review.

Mazufa pricing, eligible services, fees, deductions, ownership and royalties follow the current plan and applicable agreement.

Start now

Earn royalties under the applicable plan and agreement.

Mazufa pricing, eligible services, fees, deductions, ownership and royalties follow the current plan and applicable agreement.

Your first single starts here

One invite application, reviewed by a human. Bring the master, the artwork and the story.

Apply for Invite ♪