question The Business of Selling Zimdaansaal Beats

[Shamiso]

What's the usual arrangement when Zim music producers sell Zimdaansaal beats or instrumentals to recording artists?

 

[Scorpio]

In Zim, it's done the same way Zim Hip Hop beatmakers sell their instrumentals.

 

[Shamiso]

In Zim, it's done the same way Zim Hip Hop beatmakers sell their instrumentals.

You ain't really answering the question.

 

[Scorpio]

You ain't really answering the question

Instrumentals are sold either on two types of licenses and that is:

• Exclusive license
• Non-Exclusive license

It's straightforward and not that complicated?

 

[Bla Jedza]

Instrumentals are sold either on two types of licenses and that is:

• Exclusive license
• Non-Exclusive license

It's straightforward and not that complicated?

Not everyone understands that though.

 

[Black Panther]

Most producers in Zim sell instrumentals exclusively (also known as an exclusive license).

Some producers sell beats on a non-exclusive license.

The difference between the two licenses is that if a Zimdaansaal instrumental is sold exclusively it is gone, so a music producer can't lease the same instrumental to another artist since they will be in breach of contract if they try to do that.

 

[Numero Uno]

If a Zimdancehall instrumental is sold exclusively will a record producer still be entitled to earning music publishing royalties?

 

[Scorpio]

If a Zimdancehall instrumental is sold exclusively will a record producer still be entitled to earning music publishing royalties?

It depends on the contract that was signed.

However, many Zimdancehall artists in Zimbabwe when they buy beats the agreement is usually a word of mouth type of thing.

 

[Black Panther]

If a Zimdancehall instrumental is sold exclusively will a record producer still be entitled to earning music publishing royalties?

There must be a music split sheet signed between a music producer and a Zimdancehall artist which allocates future compensation in percentage form e.g. 50/50 split, etc.

Certain established Zimdancehall artists deliberately avoid doing this though.

It's not because they aren't aware of it. But it actually benefits them especially if they are buying a Zimdancehall instrumental from a producer who looks like they don't seem to understand the business of music.

Think about it... Why share a portion of your song earnings if a record producer is ignorant about music publishing? It ain't your fault if they are dull -- so play on, player.

 

[Lenard]

If a Zimdancehall instrumental is sold exclusively will a record producer still be entitled to earning music publishing royalties?

Technically yes, but you gotta know that the average new Zimdancehall artist fails to breakeven i.e. the cost of buying beats vs the actual return on investment when the song is released.

E.g. if a new Zimdancehall artist purchases an instrumental for $50 USD.

In reality, they are less likely to recover that money in the next 6 months or even a year from online digital streaming platforms because of having a small audience and a small marketing budget too.

The ones that do are popular Zimdancehall artists, not the struggling upcoming artists.

This is also the reason why plenty of Zimdancehall producers don't both with split sheets unless if the artist is a big name.

On the contrary, a new Zimdancehall artist may blow up and this will obviously be detrimental to a producer who didn't both to do their paperwork correctly thinking it's the same old same average artist.