Published: July 5, 2025
Category: Music Business & Strategy
By In Da Streets Radio
Too many artists are chasing streams without protecting their coins. Copyright, royalties, and publishing aren't just industry buzzwords — they're the foundation of making money in music. If you don't understand them, you're leaving bags on the table.
Let’s break it all down street-smart and step-by-step.
Copyright gives you the legal right to your music as soon as it's created. That means:
YOU control how it’s used
YOU get paid if it’s played, streamed, sampled, or synced
Registering your copyright through the U.S. Copyright Office strengthens your ability to enforce it in court and collect damages.
Pro Tip: Emailing your track to yourself is not legal protection.
There are four main types of royalties you need to know:
| Type | Who Pays | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Royalties | Radio, TV, Venues | Public performances |
| Mechanical Royalties | Streaming Platforms | Song reproductions |
| Digital Royalties | Pandora, SiriusXM | Non-interactive plays |
| Sync Royalties | TV, Film, Ads | Music licensed to visuals |
If you’re not registered with a PRO and SoundExchange, you’re probably missing at least half your money.
Publishing is the business of your song rights. Even if you write and perform it, you need a way to manage:
Licensing deals
Royalty collection
Song placements in film/TV/games
You can handle it yourself, or work with a publishing administrator like Songtrust or Sentric.
Every song has two copyrights: one for the sound recording, and one for the composition. You need to protect both.
Not splitting publishing correctly with producers
Not registering songs after releasing them
Sampling without clearance
Assuming a distributor handles all royalties (they don’t)
We offer:
✅ Royalty-generating airplay
✅ Playlist placement that reports to Apple
✅ Licensing help for podcast, video, or show usage
✅ Guidance on registering your songs properly
If you’re going to hustle hard, make sure your business is just as strong as your bars.
Owning your rights is freedom. It’s power. It’s your foundation. Before you post another track, ask yourself: “Am I in control of this?”
If not — it’s time to fix that.
Let In Da Streets Radio help you level up.
Questions about royalties or registering your music? Drop us a line at indastreetsradio.com — we’ve got you.