Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-01-26 11:36:24
The Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) has made a significant shift from the old flat-rate payment system by disbursing a total of Sh20 million in royalties to its members. During the event, CEO Ezekiel Mutua announced that the top musician received Sh757,092 and the lowest received no less than Sh5,000. This payout was made to over 16,000 artistes and marks a significant boost for MCSK members.
Mutua stated that the government’s support and the introduction of new tariffs have led to a substantial increase in music rates, aiming to ensure that musicians receive the respect and quality of life they deserve. He emphasized the need to recognize music as an ecosystem where a well-crafted song attracts substantial views and that the implementation of new tariffs is a crucial milestone.
MCSK has negotiated a significant increase in payment rates from platforms such as Google and YouTube, among others, to support creators and advance the interests of artists. The payment rate for MCSK has been raised to an impressive 16.5 per cent, surpassing rates in the United States. This achievement has extended to popular video-sharing platforms as well as social media giants like TikTok and YouTube.
Notably, artists such as Rehema Lugose, Nyashinski, Octopizzo, Bien, Mali Safi, and Chito Steve K received substantial earnings from the recent payout. Mutua expressed the importance of fair distribution based on updated records and criticized sceptics who dismissed the initiative as a scam.
The CEO also highlighted the need to recognize and reward the contributions of hardworking artists and expressed dismay at the glorification of perceived “thieves.” It was also revealed that the highest paid artist had collected Sh330,000 in the latest royalty distribution by MCSK to its over 16,000 members.
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