For many upcoming musicians, the dream is not simply to record and release a song. The bigger challenge is finding ways to turn music into a sustainable source of income. Recording, studio sessions, video production, promotion and distribution all cost money, which means artists need practical ways to monetize the music they create.
In Kenya, Skiza Tunes has created an opportunity for musicians to earn from songs by making their music available as caller ringback tunes. A listener can subscribe to an artist’s song and have callers hear it while waiting for the phone call to be answered.
But what exactly is Skiza Tunes, how does it work and can an upcoming musician really use it to earn royalties?
What Is Skiza Tunes?
Skiza Tunes is a Safaricom caller ringback tune service. Instead of callers hearing the ordinary ringing sound while waiting for someone to answer, they can hear a selected song, worship song, inspirational message or other available content.
The service is accessed through the Safaricom Skiza platform, including by dialling *811# and following the available prompts. Safaricom describes Skiza as a personalised ringback tone service, while Skiza content is made available to the platform through appointed content providers and aggregators.
For musicians, this means a song can become more than something people listen to on YouTube or streaming platforms. It can also become part of a mobile entertainment service where subscribers can choose and pay to use the song as their caller ringback tune.
How Does Skiza Tunes Work for Musicians?
An artist records and prepares music for distribution. The music is then generally submitted through an appointed content provider or aggregator rather than directly uploaded to Skiza by the individual artist.
The content provider helps process the music and make it available through the Skiza system. This is why an upcoming musician must understand the role of the aggregator before signing an agreement.
The basic journey looks like this:
Musician creates a song → Music is submitted through a content provider → Song is processed and listed on Skiza → Fans search for and subscribe to the song → Revenue is generated according to the applicable service and distribution agreements.
The content provider is an important part of the process because the agreement between the musician and the provider may affect royalty payments, reporting and revenue sharing. Safaricom has stated that artists seeking to avail content on Skiza should work through existing appointed providers who guide them through the aggregation process.
How Can Skiza Help an Upcoming Musician Monetize Music?
The biggest opportunity offered by Skiza is that it allows a musician to turn music into a potentially recurring revenue source.
Once your song is available and a listener subscribes to it, the song can continue to generate revenue subject to the number of active subscriptions, the applicable charges, deductions and the revenue-sharing arrangements in place.
This is why musicians should think beyond simply releasing a song.
A good song can continue working for the artist long after the original recording session has ended.
For example, an upcoming gospel artist may release a worship song that listeners discover months later. If the song connects with people and they continue subscribing to it, the music has the potential to create ongoing income rather than earning only once.
However, the exact amount an artist receives is not determined by the song title alone. It depends on subscriptions, applicable deductions and, importantly, the artist's agreement with the content provider or aggregator.
Skiza Can Help Artists Reach More Listeners
Monetization is important, but Skiza can also help with music discovery.
A subscriber may select your song because:
They heard it on YouTube
A friend recommended it
They heard it during a church service or live event
They discovered the artist on social media
They enjoy the musician's style or message
They heard the song while calling another Skiza subscriber
This creates another possible point of contact between an artist and the public.
For an upcoming musician, every additional channel can matter. YouTube can help someone discover your music, social media can help you build a community and Skiza can give your audience another way to engage with your songs.
Why Skiza Is Not a “Upload and Wait for Money” Opportunity
One of the biggest misconceptions among upcoming musicians is believing that once a song is uploaded, money will automatically begin flowing.
Distribution is not promotion.
Having a song on Skiza does not guarantee that thousands of people will subscribe to it. Musicians must actively promote their music and tell fans exactly where and how to find it.
A simple message such as:
“My new song is now available on Skiza. Dial *811#, search for a song, search by artist name and type my name.”
can make a big difference.
The clearer the instructions, the easier it is for fans to take action.
Skiza Can Work Best as Part of a Bigger Music Strategy
Upcoming musicians should avoid depending entirely on one source of income.
Skiza can be one part of a broader music monetization strategy that includes:
Skiza Tunes
YouTube
Music streaming platforms
Live performances
Digital downloads
Music licensing
Social media marketing
Events and concerts
Merchandise
Brand partnerships
The advantage of having several channels is that one song can serve different purposes across different platforms.
You can release a music video on YouTube, share clips on social media, perform the song at an event and encourage listeners to subscribe to the song on Skiza.
The more places your audience can discover your music, the greater the opportunity to build a stronger music career.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Aggregator
Before an artist registers a song for Skiza, one of the most important decisions is choosing the company that will handle the music distribution.
Do not choose an aggregator simply because someone promises that you will become rich quickly.
Instead, ask questions.
Find out:
Is the company legitimately operating as a Skiza content provider or working through one?
What agreement are you required to sign?
Who owns the master recording?
What percentage of revenue will the company retain?
How and when are royalties paid?
How often are statements provided?
Is there a minimum payment threshold?
How long does the agreement last?
Can you remove your music from the agreement?
What happens if you want to change distributors?
The contract matters.
Your music is an intellectual property asset, and you should understand every agreement before signing it.
Some providers publicly state their own registration requirements, payment thresholds and artist terms, but these can differ between providers, so musicians should always confirm the exact terms directly with the company they choose.
Build a Music Catalogue for Better Long-Term Opportunities
Upcoming musicians should also think about building a catalogue.
Do not rely on one song to transform your financial situation.
Continue recording and releasing quality music.
A catalogue gives listeners more choices. Someone may not subscribe to your first song but may connect deeply with your third, fifth or tenth release.
This is particularly important for worship musicians.
One person may be searching for a song about faith. Another may want music for prayer. Another may want a song for encouragement during a difficult season.
Every song becomes another doorway through which a new listener can discover your music.
Over time, a catalogue of quality songs can become a valuable creative asset.
What Upcoming Musicians Should Do Before Joining Skiza
Before registering your songs, make sure you have:
Properly recorded and mastered audio
Accurate song titles
A consistent artist name
Clear information about song ownership
Agreements with collaborators where necessary
An understanding of your rights
A written agreement with your aggregator
A plan for promoting the music
Also keep your own records.
Create a simple list containing your song titles, registration dates, distributor, agreements, Skiza codes and payment information.
Treat your music professionally from the beginning.
Can Skiza Tunes Create Passive Income?
Skiza can create the potential for recurring music income, but “passive income” should not mean “no work.”
The song may continue generating income after it is released, but artists still need to promote their music, build audiences and encourage subscriptions.
A better way to think about it is this: the music can continue working for you after you create it, but you must continue working to help people discover it.
The strongest opportunity comes from combining good music with effective promotion.
Final Thoughts
Skiza Tunes can provide upcoming musicians with another opportunity to monetize their creativity. It allows artists to make their songs available to listeners as caller ringback tunes and potentially earn from subscriptions through the applicable revenue and distribution arrangements.
However, success does not come from simply registering a song.
Musicians should understand the role of aggregators, read contracts carefully, protect their intellectual property, monitor royalty reporting and actively promote their music.
Most importantly, think long term.
Your first song may introduce you to your first supporters. Your next song may attract new listeners. A growing catalogue may create more opportunities for subscriptions and revenue.
Keep creating.
Keep improving.
Keep promoting.
And treat your music not only as your passion, but also as a valuable creative asset.
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
Let Tabitha Gachanja’s worship songs minister to you through every season.
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