Rashid Kay Teaches Musicians Differences Between SAMRO, CAPASSO, POSA, SAMPRA

It is not everyday that you get a brother who is willing to give you knowledge about the music industry for free. South Africa's Rashid Kay went to his Facebook page to share the fundamental differences between certain terms that are thrown around in music contracts.

You may read what he said below.

ARTIST - is the performer (vocal, instrument, piece), whether it’s written by you or not.

COMPOSER - is a beat maker or creator of the music in a song. Even if you can’t play an instrument but if you direct and instruct the instrumentalist on what and how to play it, you’re a Composer.

PS. Even if they pay you for the beat, the composer still owns 50% of the song.

AUTHOR - is someone who writes the words or lyrics in a song.

PS. If your identity as a songwriter is not hidden and you’re credited, then you’re not a Ghostwriter but an Author.

ARRANGER - is someone who takes an old song (Public domain or Traditional song) and rearrange it. There is no arranger in a newly composed song.

PUBLISHER - is the owner of Intellectual Property. What the artist has written or created in a song is owned by the publisher. When anyone wants to sample the song, they seek permission from the Publisher and not the Artist, unless the two are one.

PRODUCER - is a director and a person who has a good ear for music. His job is to organize and direct the whole recording session, including the music and the sound in the studio.

PS. Beat makers you are NOT Producers but Composers (Only a few are)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER - is the one who pays for the project (studio time, session artists, and everything required for the recording)

Whoever pays for the recording owns the master.

NOTE: it is not a REMIX if the original is NOT yours. You cannot record over Mandoza’s instrumental and call it “Nkalakatha Remix”. It’s a “cover version”, “rendition”, or “interpretation”.

SAMRO - pays Composer, Author, Arranger, Publisher. (Performance Royalties)

CAPASSO - pays Composer, Author, Arranger, Publisher. (Mechanical Royalties)

POSA - pays Artist, Sessionist, Producer, Sound Recording owner/Record Label. (Needle Time Royalties)

SAMPRA - licenses music users such as radio broadcasters, retailers, pubs, clubs, restaurants, and other businesses that use music in their establishments.

Please register with relevant organizations and take ownership of your Intellectual Property.

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