Music distribution in Kenya

    Recording the song is half of it. This is how the finished file gets onto Spotify, Apple Music, Audiomack, Boomplay and YouTube Music — and how you actually get paid for it.

    The release checklist

    1. Master the song first

      Distributors accept anything, but playlists do not. Send a mastered WAV at 16-bit/44.1kHz or higher — mixing and mastering at StreetChaos starts from KES 1,000 per hour.

    2. Clear the beat

      Have your licence PDF on hand. Distributors and content-ID systems ask who owns the instrumental, and an unlicensed beat is the most common reason a Kenyan release gets pulled.

    3. Prepare the artwork and metadata

      3000x3000 px cover with no logos of streaming services, exact artist name spelling, features credited with 'feat.', and the producer credited as Prod by Chaos where applicable.

    4. Pick a distributor

      Any distributor that services Spotify, Apple Music, Audiomack, Boomplay, YouTube Music and Deezer will do; Boomplay and Audiomack matter most for East African listening.

    5. Set the release date two to three weeks out

      The lead time is what buys you playlist pitching, pre-save links and teaser posts. Same-day releases skip all of it.

    6. Register for royalties

      Register the work with MCSK/PRISK in Kenya so radio and public-performance royalties are collected, separately from streaming payouts.

    Master your songHear our releases

    Frequently asked

    How do I get my song on Spotify from Kenya?
    Through a digital distributor. You cannot upload directly as an artist — you deliver a mastered WAV, artwork and metadata to a distributor, who places it on Spotify, Apple Music, Audiomack, Boomplay and YouTube Music.
    How long does distribution take?
    Allow seven to fourteen days between delivery and the release date. That lead time is also what lets you pitch playlists and run a pre-save.
    Which platforms matter most in Kenya?
    Audiomack and Boomplay carry a large share of East African listening, alongside YouTube. Spotify and Apple Music matter for diaspora and international reach.
    Do I need a licence for the beat before distributing?
    Yes. Distributors require you to confirm you control the master. An unlicensed instrumental leads to takedowns or to the producer's claim capturing your royalties.
    How do royalties reach me in Kenya?
    Streaming royalties are paid by the distributor to a bank account or mobile money, depending on their supported payout methods. Performance and broadcast royalties come separately through MCSK/PRISK registration.

    StreetChaos · streetchaoss.space · Nairobi, Kenya