Last year, Burna Boy bought back the master rights to songs he released under his former label, Aristokrat Records. This move is a smart one because, no matter how much wealth you acquire during your active years, master rights are your greatest asset as a musician.

But what exactly are master rights, and why are they such a huge asset?

That will be the first part of my series for this week. I started the introduction on Saturday.

RECORD DEAL CLAUSES EVERY UPCOMING ARTIST SHOULD KNOW: Part 1 – Master Rights

1. Ownership and Control of Masters (Master Rights)

Explanation: The master recordings are the original versions of your songs. Whoever owns the masters has control over how the music is used, licensed, and monetized. Traditionally, record labels own the masters, especially in a 360 deal.

For an artist, retaining control over your masters is crucial because they are your most valuable asset but not easy to acquire if you started your career with a record label before hitting the limelight. If you own your masters, you control how your music is used in movies, commercials, video games, or even sampled by other artists. You also earn royalties directly from your music’s usage.

Here are some real-life examples:

EME still owns Wizkid’s Ayo and Superstar albums.

HKN Music owns Davido’s debut album Omo Baba Olowo.

G-Worldwide still owns Kizz Daniel’s master rights for Woju, Laye, and New Era album. He only moved the songs from his old profile (Kiss Daniel) to his current profile (Kizz Daniel) after reconciling with is former label boss.

Aristokrat Records used to own Burna Boy’s L.I.F.E and On A Spaceship albums until he bought back the rights last year.

All songs that Korede Bello, Reekado Banks, and Tiwa Savage released under Mavin Records still belong to the label, while they receive a percentage of streaming royalties for these songs, Mavin Records owns the master rights, meaning the label can license the songs for movies, games, or even samples without the artist’s direct consent.

Clause to get your master right:

For unknown artists, convincing a label to give you complete control over your masters can be difficult because they helped build your image during your early career.

However, you can negotiate a buy-back clause when signing a record contract. This allows the label to own the masters initially but gives you the right to purchase part of it or the full rights after a set period (e.g., 5-10 years) for a pre-agreed amount.

This compromise ensures that:

The label profits from their investment.

You have the opportunity to regain control of your music in the future.

Why This Matters:

Master rights represent your long-term wealth. No matter how popular you become during your active career, your masters will continue to generate income for you and your children long after you’ve stopped making music.

Final Thoughts:

The music industry is a business. Record labels aren’t charity organizations — they are in business to make a profit. But as an artist, you need to protect your long-term interests.

Don’t rush to sign any contract without understanding what you’re giving up.

Tomorrow, I’ll talk about another essential clause — “Term and Options (Contract Duration)” — and how to negotiate it smartly.

My name is Obama-Naija, and all through this week, I’ll be breaking down each clause every artist must consider before signing a record deal.

Follow my page to stay updated!

A Nigerian man, Abdulhakeem Onimisi Abdulmumin, has narrated how he and his wife-to-be, Munira Isah’s love story began on Facebook three years ago.

The couple are set to tie the knot in Kogi State on February 22, 2024.

Taking to Facebook on Sunday, he shared a screenshot of the first conversation between him and Munira.
“November 28th, 2021, is a day I’ll never forget! That’s the day I met the love of my life, my fiancée, right here on Facebook! Fast forward to today, and God willing, we’re counting down the days to our wedding on February 22nd, 2025!,” he wrote.

“I’m grateful for this platform that brought us together. Who would have thought that a simple connection on Facebook would lead to a lifetime of love and happiness?

“I’m excited for this new chapter, and I couldn’t have asked for a better partner to share it with! Thanks bro Mark.”

• Famous skit maker, Mark Angel has described 2024 as the hardest year of his life.
• In an Instagram post, he revealed that he lost $3.7M (over N5bn) to Forex and struggled with debt.
• He also spoke on suffering a career-shaking scandal that God eventually used to expose fake friends, pretenders, and saboteurs in his circle.

Comedian Mark Angel recently shared an emotional reflection on Instagram about the trials and lessons of 2024, a year he describes as both devastating and transformative.

He revealed losing over $3.7 million (over N5bn) after trusting the wrong individuals in forex trading, a financial blow that forced him into crippling debt and led to the loss of his properties.

Struggling under the weight of these hardships, Mark Angel admitted to reaching his lowest point, even contemplating ending his life.

In his post, Angel credited divine intervention and the support of loved ones for helping him endure. Key figures in his recovery included his daughters Victoria and Mila, who reminded him of life’s beauty, and his ex-wife Mandy, who offered unexpected kindness. Friends like Blessing and his pastor provided unwavering emotional and spiritual support, while his son Schoolboy and his social media assistant Bright stood as pillars of strength.

Amid his healing process, Mark Angel averred that he faced another challenge: a career-shaking scandal that unveiled the disloyalty of some in his circle. Yet, he saw this as God’s way of revealing truth and fostering growth.

Mark Angel concluded with gratitude for God’s faithfulness, stating that 2024, though his hardest year, deepened his resilience, faith, and understanding of grace.

In his words:

“The year 2024 began like every other year, but I had no idea how much it would test me how much it would break me, yet ultimately reshape me. It was the year I lost everything. I trusted the wrong hands in forex and lost all my money. Nobody knew except my family and closest circle. The weight of the loss, over $3.7 million was suffocating. I was drowning in debts, and one by one, I watched all my properties slip into the hands of loan sharks. It felt like my world was crumbling, and in my darkest moments, I considered ending it all.

But God… If not for His mercies, I wouldn’t be here writing this. He sent angels into my life when I needed them the most. Blessing, my friend who became family, never gave up on me. My pastor and his wife stood by me, praying and guiding me. My daughters, Victoria and Mila, reminded me of the beauty of life, even when it felt unbearable. My ex-wife Mandy extended a hand of kindness I will never forget. My son, Schoolboy, showed me strength beyond his years. And Bright, my social media assistant, stood as a pillar in moments I thought I’d collapse.

While I was still trying to heal, undergoing therapy to recover from the trauma, life dealt another blow. A scandal hit, shaking the foundation of my career and questioning the loyalty of those around me. It was in that storm that God began to uncover the truth. He exposed the fake friends, the pretenders, and the ones who had been silently sabotaging my peace and my circle. It was painful, but it was necessary.

2024 was the hardest year of my life, but it was also the year God drew me closer to Him. Through the ashes, He taught me resilience, faith, and the true meaning of grace. I don’t take it for granted that I’m alive today. To everyone who stood with me, prayed for me, and held me up when I had no strength left, thank you.

Here’s to God’s unwavering faithfulness. If 2024 taught me anything, it’s that even in the darkest valleys, His light never stops shining.”

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