Being an independent Afro-Gospel artist comes with a lot of freedom. You get to control your music, your branding, and your distribution. But one thing many independent artists overlook is copyright protection. The truth is, whether you’re signed to a record label or not, copyrighting your music is a must!
Let’s take Emma Oh My God as an example. Despite being an independent artist, he copyrights his songs. Why? Because he understands the importance of protecting his creative work. If someone tries to use his song without permission, he has legal backing to take action.
If you’re an upcoming artist trying to make it big, here’s why you need to copyright your songs.
1. Protect Your Music from Theft
Imagine spending months writing, recording, and producing a song, only for someone else to take it and claim it as theirs. Without copyright, there’s little you can do.
Copyright ensures that no one can steal your song without facing legal consequences. It gives you full ownership and the right to control how your music is used.
Read Also: How Afro-Gospel Artists Can Gain Traction Without a Record Label
2. Earn Royalties from Your Music
Copyright allows you to make money from your music, even when you’re sleeping! Once your song is copyrighted, you can earn royalties from streaming platforms, radio airplay, and public performances. Without copyright, someone else could take your song, re-upload it on streaming platforms, and make money off your hard work. You don’t want that, do you?
3. Prevent Unauthorized Use of Your Song
You’ve probably seen videos where people use songs without crediting the artist. Sometimes, businesses, brands, and even filmmakers use songs in advertisements without permission. If your song is copyrighted, you can demand payment or take legal action. For example, if a major company decides to use your song in an advert without permission, copyright protection gives you the power to either ask for compensation or stop them from using it entirely.
4. Maintain Control Over Your Work
As an independent artist, you need full control over your music. Copyright ensures that you decide who can remix, sample, or reproduce your work. Without it, anyone can take your music and do whatever they want with it. If someone wants to use your song for a movie, church event, or campaign, they have to get your permission first. This keeps you in charge of your music’s future.
5. Boost Your Credibility as an Artist
Copyrighting your songs shows that you take your music seriously. It builds your credibility in the industry and lets people know you’re a professional. Emma Oh My God didn’t just create viral content; he made sure his songs were copyrighted, ensuring that his work remains his own. If he takes copyright seriously, you should too!
Trust me, as an independent Afro-Gospel artist, your music is your intellectual property, and you need to protect it. Copyrighting your songs safeguards your creativity, helps you earn royalties, and keeps others from using your work without permission.
