For an independent musician, releasing music today can be both exciting and confusing. You may have written your own song, paid for studio recording, produced a music video and built an audience on YouTube and social media. The next question is usually: How do I get my music onto Skiza Tunes and start earning from it?
One of the most common questions upcoming artists ask is whether they need a record label or a music aggregator to get their songs onto Skiza Tunes.
The short answer is that you do not have to be signed to a traditional record label simply because you want to distribute your music. However, for Skiza specifically, independent artists generally need to work through an appointed content provider or aggregator that can submit and manage content on the Skiza platform.
Safaricom's published information explains that it works with appointed content providers to aggregate artists' content and make it available on Skiza. Safaricom also states that artists who want to make their content available on Skiza should approach existing providers, who can guide them through the aggregation process.
This distinction is important for every upcoming musician who wants to build a music career independently.
What Is a Music Aggregator?
A music aggregator or content provider is essentially an intermediary that helps get an artist's music onto a digital platform.
Instead of every individual musician dealing directly with Safaricom's Skiza infrastructure, appointed content providers aggregate music from different artists and submit the content through the appropriate channels.
The aggregator may help with:
Collecting your music
Checking your submission
Preparing metadata
Submitting the song
Making the song available on Skiza
Managing aspects of the distribution relationship
Providing royalty information and payments according to the applicable agreement
This makes the aggregator an important part of the Skiza ecosystem.
Does an Independent Musician Need a Record Label?
Not necessarily.
Being independent simply means you are not relying on a traditional record label to manage your music career.
You can still:
Write your own songs
Record your own music
Release singles
Create music videos
Promote yourself
Build your own fan base
Work with producers
Distribute your music
Monetize your catalogue
The important issue is understanding which services require an intermediary and which allow direct artist registration.
For Skiza, Safaricom's published partner information identifies appointed content providers and directs artists who want to avail their content on Skiza to work through existing providers.
Therefore, an independent musician can remain independent while still using an aggregator for Skiza distribution.
Why Does Skiza Use Aggregators?
There are thousands of musicians and a large amount of music content that needs to be processed and managed.
Aggregators help organise this content.
Safaricom's Skiza partner bulletin explains that appointed content providers aggregate artists' content and make it available on the platform. The same bulletin states that Safaricom halted onboarding of new Skiza content providers from April 1, 2021, while continuing to work with existing providers to aggregate new content.
This means an artist looking to distribute music on Skiza should not assume that they can simply approach Safaricom and open an individual Skiza content-provider account.
Instead, the practical route is to identify an appropriate existing provider and ask about its current artist onboarding process.
What Should an Artist Look for in an Aggregator?
This is where upcoming musicians need to be careful.
Not every agreement is the same.
Before giving an aggregator your music, ask exactly how the relationship works.
Important questions include:
1. What percentage of royalties will I receive?
Do not assume that every shilling paid by a subscriber goes directly to the artist.
Understand the revenue-sharing arrangement and any applicable deductions.
Safaricom has previously published information about a revenue-sharing framework involving content providers, while artist payments are handled through the applicable content-service-provider arrangements and artist contracts.
Always ask the aggregator to explain your specific agreement rather than relying on figures you find on social media.
2. Do I retain ownership of my music?
This is one of the most important questions.
You should understand whether you are giving the aggregator a licence to distribute your song or transferring ownership of your recording.
Read the contract carefully.
If you wrote and recorded the song yourself, your music is an important intellectual property asset. Do not sign away rights that you do not fully understand.
3. How will I receive my royalties?
Ask whether payments are made through:
Mobile money
Bank transfer
Another payment method
Also ask about payment schedules, minimum payment thresholds and royalty statements.
For example, some Skiza distribution providers publish their own payment requirements and procedures for artists, demonstrating why musicians should examine the terms of the particular provider they choose rather than assuming that every aggregator operates identically.
4. Will I receive royalty statements?
Transparency matters.
You should know how many subscriptions or downloads your music has generated and how your earnings were calculated.
Safaricom has previously stated that artists on Skiza can track income through *622#.
Keep your own records as well.
5. Can I remove my song later?
Before signing, find out what happens if you want to move your music to another provider.
Check:
Contract duration
Termination provisions
Notice requirements
Removal procedures
Ownership after termination
These details can become extremely important if your music becomes successful.
What Does an Upcoming Musician Need to Prepare?
Before approaching an aggregator, make sure your music is ready.
Depending on the provider's requirements, you may need information such as:
Artist or stage name
Song title
High-quality audio file
Songwriter information
Producer information
Artwork
Copyright information
Identification details
Contact information
Proof of ownership or rights where required
Some providers may have additional requirements.
For example, Nation Skiza's published FAQ says its artist registration requires a signed music distribution agreement, identification and an MP3 file. Its current published information also says registration is free through that provider and describes its own payment process.
This illustrates why artists should check the actual requirements of the provider they choose.
What If You Wrote the Song Yourself?
If you wrote the song yourself, you should be particularly careful about documenting your rights.
Keep records showing:
When the song was created
Who wrote it
Who produced it
Who financed the recording
Who owns the master
Whether anyone else has a percentage
Any agreements with collaborators
If another musician appears on your song, a producer created the instrumental or another person contributed creatively, establish the rights before distribution.
A song may involve several different rights, and an artist should not assume that being the singer automatically means they own everything associated with the recording.
Can an Aggregator Help an Artist Make Money?
Yes, an aggregator can help make the music available on Skiza, but distribution itself does not guarantee substantial earnings.
Your music still needs listeners.
If nobody discovers your song and subscribes to it, simply having a Skiza code may not produce meaningful revenue.
This is why upcoming musicians need to combine distribution with promotion.
Promote your Skiza songs through:
YouTube
Facebook
TikTok
Instagram
WhatsApp Status
Live performances
Church services
Events
Interviews
Fan communities
Tell your audience exactly how to find the song.
Skiza Distribution and Music Promotion Should Work Together
Imagine you release a powerful worship song.
You upload the music video to YouTube.
You share short clips on Facebook and TikTok.
You send the song to your WhatsApp contacts.
People begin enjoying the song.
Now you can give them another way to support and engage with your music by telling them that the song is available on Skiza.
This creates a complete promotional cycle:
Discover the song → Listen to the song → Connect with the artist → Subscribe to the Skiza tune → Continue supporting the artist.
That is far more powerful than simply uploading a song and waiting.
Is Skiza Still Relevant for Independent Artists?
Skiza remains an important part of Kenya's mobile music ecosystem. Safaricom's current Skiza page continues to provide the service and explains that customers can search for tunes through *811#. The page also states that artists can track income on the platform through *622#.
For an independent musician, this means Skiza can be considered alongside other music distribution and monetization channels.
Do not think of it as an alternative to YouTube or streaming platforms.
Think of it as another potential revenue and discovery channel.
What Is the Biggest Mistake Independent Musicians Make?
One of the biggest mistakes is signing an agreement without understanding it.
An artist may be excited because someone has offered to distribute their song. They may sign immediately without asking:
Who owns my music?
How much will I earn?
When will I be paid?
How are royalties calculated?
How long does the agreement last?
Can I terminate the agreement?
What happens to my song if I leave?
These questions are not signs that you distrust the aggregator.
They are signs that you are treating your music career as a business.
Independent Does Not Mean Doing Everything Alone
Being an independent musician does not mean you have to personally handle every part of the music industry.
You can work with:
Producers
Music distributors
Aggregators
Graphic designers
Video producers
Digital marketers
Publicists
Booking agents
The key is understanding what each person does and what rights you are giving them.
An aggregator can provide an important distribution function while you remain in control of your broader music career.
Final Thoughts
So, do independent musicians need a music aggregator to get their songs on Skiza Tunes?
For Skiza distribution, Safaricom's published guidance indicates that artists should work through existing appointed content providers or aggregators rather than registering as individual new Skiza content providers.
That does not mean you need to sign with a traditional record label.
You can remain an independent artist while using an aggregator to distribute your music.
The important thing is to choose your distribution partner carefully, understand the contract, protect your music rights, understand how royalties are calculated and actively promote your songs.
Your music is an asset.
Treat it like one.
The goal should not simply be to get a Skiza code. The goal should be to build a catalogue of quality music, develop a loyal audience and create multiple opportunities for your music to generate income over time.
Do You Love Worship Songs?
Subscribe to Tabitha Gachanja's worship songs on Skiza Tunes.
Dial *811# on your Safaricom line, then:
Select Search for a Song
Select Search by Artist Name
Type Tabitha Gachanja
Choose your favourite worship song and subscribe.
Discover worship music that can encourage, uplift and minister to you wherever you are.
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