Image: Instagram
The Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) has distributed Sh20 million in royalties to musicians nationwide, with notable artists such as 'Mali Safi Chito' hitmaker Marakwet Daughter and gengetone artist Sylvia Ssaru emerging as top earners.
MCSK CEO Ezekiel Mutua revealed that both Ssaru and the singer behind "Mali Safi Chito" were among the top earners, each receiving a minimum of Sh100,000 from MCSK.
Mutua stated, "She (Ssaru) is among the top earners together with Mali Safi Chito, they were competing and it's not less than Ksh100,000."
MCSK Chairman Lazarus Muli clarified that the payouts were determined by the individual efforts and contributions of each artist, with Otile Brown leading with over Sh120,000.
Muli explained, "Otile Brown got, I think, over Ksh120,000. Some got Ksh100,000, Ksh50,000, Ksh60,000, and some got Ksh10,000. The reason why the pay cannot be equal is everyone's work is different, and [you] are paid according to your effort. Hatuwezi watoshanisha."
Image: Instagram
This is a marked improvement from last year's remuneration. In 2023 Bien-Aime Baraza received Sh14,634 in royalties from MCSK.
He shared the mobile money message on his Instagram, highlighting that he received the amount as an independent artist, not as part of the Sauti Sol group. Each Sauti Sol member at the time received their individual payments.
In an interview with a local publication, Bien noted a significant improvement compared to the previous years.
He had received sh 2500 in 2022, stating, "We can do better as a country. However, there was a great improvement from what I got last year. I had been paid 2500, and so receiving 14,000 is a great improvement. I think I deserve more, though."
A few days earlier, Bien playfully celebrated the royalties, stating, “Let the weekend begin. I’M RICH B!TCH!!!!! Where the ho3s at. We balling out of control this weekend. Your number 1 artist has been paid royalties. I can only imagine what upcoming artists like @khaligraph_jones are getting. DM with today’s plan.”
