How Can Upcoming Musicians Register Their Songs on Skiza Tunes and Start Earning Royalties?

 

For many upcoming musicians in Kenya, creating a good song is only the first step. The bigger challenge is finding practical ways to distribute the music, reach listeners and earn income from it. Skiza Tunes has created an opportunity for musicians to turn their songs into caller ringback tunes that Safaricom subscribers can access and subscribe to.

If you are an upcoming musician with recorded music and a growing audience, you may be wondering how you can get your songs onto Skiza Tunes and start earning royalties. The process may appear complicated at first, especially because musicians often hear different information about Skiza, aggregators, distributors, copyright and royalties.

The good news is that it is possible for an independent musician to register songs for Skiza Tunes distribution. However, you need to understand how the system works and prepare your music properly before beginning the registration process.

What Is Skiza Tunes?

Skiza Tunes is a music service that allows mobile subscribers to choose songs that callers can hear instead of the normal ringing tone when calling their phone.

A musician can have a song made available on the service, and listeners who enjoy the song can subscribe to it. This creates a potential income opportunity for artists because music that attracts subscribers may generate royalties or revenue according to the distribution and licensing arrangements involved.

For upcoming musicians, Skiza can provide another way of monetizing music beyond YouTube, streaming platforms, live performances and physical music sales.

Can an Upcoming Musician Register Music on Skiza Tunes?

Yes. Upcoming musicians can have their music registered for Skiza distribution.

However, artists generally need to work through an approved or authorised music aggregator, distributor or content provider that handles the process of delivering the music to the platform.

This is important because a musician should not assume that simply uploading a song online automatically makes it available on Skiza. Music needs to go through the correct distribution process.

Before choosing an aggregator, ask important questions such as:

• How do you register musicians and songs?

• What percentage of royalties does the company retain?

• Is there a registration or distribution fee?

• How often are royalty statements provided?

• How often are artists paid?

• How can you track your songs and earnings?

• How long does the distribution agreement last?

• Do you retain ownership of your master recording?

• Can you remove your music if necessary?

• Are there any exclusive rights involved?

Never rush into signing an agreement simply because you are excited about getting your music onto a distribution platform. Read the contract carefully and understand exactly how the relationship works.

Step 1: Make Sure Your Song Is Properly Recorded

The first requirement is to have a professionally prepared song.

The recording should be complete, clear and ready for commercial distribution. Poor audio quality can affect how listeners receive your music and may create problems during the distribution process.

Before submitting your music, make sure you have:

• A high-quality final audio file

• The correct song title

• The artist name you want to use

• Songwriter information

• Producer information where required

• Accurate lyrics where required

• Album or single artwork where required

• The necessary ownership rights to the recording

Do not submit an unfinished demo if you intend to build a long-term music catalogue. Your Skiza release should represent your work professionally.

Step 2: Confirm That You Own or Control the Rights to the Song

Before registering a song, you must understand who owns it.

If you wrote the song, recorded it and produced it independently, you may control a significant portion of the rights. However, music rights can become more complicated when other people are involved.

For example, a song may involve:

• A songwriter

• A composer

• A producer

• A featured artist

• Musicians

• A record label

• A publisher

If another person wrote part of the song, created the instrumental or owns part of the master recording, you should have clear agreements about ownership and revenue sharing.

Do not register music that you do not have the legal right to distribute.

This is especially important for upcoming musicians who collaborate with friends or producers without written agreements. A disagreement can arise later when the song begins generating income.

Step 3: Choose a Reliable Skiza Tunes Aggregator

The next step is finding a legitimate and reliable company that can distribute your music to Skiza.

An aggregator acts as a bridge between the musician and the music platform. The aggregator may collect your music, required information and supporting materials before submitting the content through the appropriate distribution channels.

This makes choosing the right aggregator one of the most important decisions an upcoming musician can make.

Look for transparency.

A good music distribution partner should clearly explain:

• How your music will be submitted

• How revenue is calculated

• What percentage belongs to the artist

• When royalty statements are issued

• When payments are made

• Whether there are additional charges

• What rights you are granting under the agreement

Keep copies of all agreements and records of your communication.

Step 4: Submit Your Music and Artist Information

Once you have selected your distribution partner, you will normally need to provide the required materials.

These may include your:

• Full name

• Stage name

• Contact details

• Song title

• Audio file

• Album artwork

• Songwriter details

• Producer details

• Lyrics where requested

• Copyright information

• Identification or payment details where required by the distributor

Ensure that all information is accurate.

A small error in your artist name or song title can make it difficult for listeners to find your music. Use the same spelling of your artist name consistently across your Skiza music, YouTube channel and other platforms whenever possible.

For example, if your fans know you by a particular artist name, avoid using different versions of that name on every platform.

Step 5: Understand How Royalties Are Reported and Paid

Getting a song onto Skiza is not the end of the journey.

As a musician, you should understand how your earnings are reported.

Ask your aggregator how you will receive:

• Royalty statements

• Subscriber or usage reports where applicable

• Payment notifications

• Revenue calculations

You should also ask about the payment schedule.

A professional artist should keep records of every song distributed, every agreement signed and every royalty statement received.

Create a simple spreadsheet showing:

• Song title

• Release date

• Aggregator

• Agreement period

• Revenue reported

• Amount received

• Date paid

Treat your music as a business, even when you are still an upcoming artist.

Step 6: Promote Your Skiza Song

One of the biggest mistakes musicians make is expecting a song to earn money simply because it has been uploaded.

Distribution is not the same as promotion.

After your song becomes available, you need to tell people about it.

Promote your music through:

• WhatsApp Status

• Facebook

• Instagram

• TikTok

• YouTube

• Live performances

• Church events for gospel and worship artists

• Radio interviews

• Posters and digital flyers

• Personal fan networks

Most importantly, make it easy for people to subscribe.

Tell your audience the exact steps they should follow. Do not simply say, “My song is on Skiza.” Give them a clear call to action.

The easier you make the process, the more likely fans are to take action.

Step 7: Build a Music Catalogue Instead of Depending on One Song

Passive music income is usually stronger when an artist builds a catalogue.

Do not place all your hopes on one song.

Continue releasing quality music and developing your audience. Over time, multiple songs can create multiple opportunities for discovery and subscriptions.

A musician with a strong catalogue has more chances of connecting with different listeners.

For example, one listener may love worship music, another may prefer a praise song and another may discover a song through YouTube or a live performance.

Every quality release becomes part of your long-term music asset.

Why Skiza Tunes Can Be an Opportunity for Upcoming Musicians

Upcoming musicians often focus heavily on going viral. While viral success can be valuable, it is also important to build sustainable income opportunities.

Skiza distribution can become one part of a broader music strategy.

An artist can combine:

• Skiza Tunes

• YouTube

• Streaming platforms

• Live performances

• Music downloads

• Licensing opportunities

• Social media promotion

• Merchandise

• Direct fan support

The goal should not be to depend entirely on one platform. Instead, build multiple channels through which your music can reach listeners and potentially generate income.

Start With Professionalism

The music industry is changing, but one principle remains important: musicians must learn to treat their creativity as intellectual property.

Understand your rights.

Read your agreements.

Ask questions.

Keep records.

Build your catalogue.

Promote your songs.

And do not sign away ownership simply because you want fast distribution.

For upcoming musicians, registering a song on Skiza can be an important step toward monetizing music, but the real opportunity comes from combining distribution with promotion, fan engagement and a long-term strategy.

Your music can continue working for you after it has been released. The more people discover, enjoy and subscribe to your songs, the greater the potential opportunity for ongoing revenue.

Do You Love Worship Songs?

Subscribe to Tabitha Gachanja’s worship songs on Skiza Tunes.

Dial *811# on your Safaricom line, then:

1. Select Search for a Song

2. Select Search by Artist Name

3. Type Tabitha Gachanja

4. Choose your favourite worship song and subscribe

Let Tabitha Gachanja’s worship songs minister to you through every season.