Artists Guide To @OfficialSAMPRA

Before we get into the guide here are a few of the most asked questions on SAMPRA.

What is the difference between SAMRO and SAMPRA?

SAMPRA pays out Needletime royalties to artists and record labels whereas SAMRO distributes Performance royalties. These two organisations are not in competition with each other and artists are encouraged to register at all collective management organisations (CMO's) to maximise their royalty streams. 

What does SAMPRA stand for?

South African Music Performance Rights Association.

How do I register on SAMPRA?

Below is the link to the online forms page.

https://www.sampra.org.za/member-forms/

Creators Guide To SAMPRA

What Is SAMPRA?

SAMPRA is an organisation that distributes Needletime rights to record labels and recording artists. 

What Are Needletime Rights?

These are royalties paid out for the public performance of music. These royalties are distributed to recording artists and record labels.

SAMPRA recognises recording artists in 3 different categories, namely; Featured Performers, Non-Featured and Other performers. 

Featured Performers

According to SAMPRA, this is defined as "an individual Performing Artist in whose name the CD/track was recorded, or a member of a band and who made a performing contribution to the recorded performance."

Non-Featured Performer

According to SAMPRA, this is defined as "a Performing Artist who has been engaged for a fixed period of time, customarily known in the industry as a session, specifically to make one or more recorded backing performances which subsequently are included in the sound recording. This includes a studio producer who makes a performing contribution to the recorded performance."

Other Featured Performer

According to SAMPRA, this is defined as "a guest recording artist whose contribution would ordinarily fall within the Non-Featured Performer status, but merits Featured status."

According to SAMPRA, non-featured artists are required to produce one of the following to support their claim:

1. record/CD/tape sleeve inlay crediting performance; or
2. contracted artist’s official website crediting performance; or
3. official correspondence from the record company confirming instrumental or vocal contribution; or
4. letter from fixer, studio producer or orchestral manager confirming contribution category; or
5. signed verification from one of the featured artists or their management; or
6. signed verification from at least two other non-featured musicians already confirmed on the recording; or
7. in the case of a studio producer, a certification letter from one or more of the contracted featured performer(s) who performed on the recording, or the record company to which they are contracted.

According to SAMPRA, featured performers are required one of the following to support their claim:

1. product sleeve front cover or spine showing the performer’s name with the name of the Contracted Artist or linked with the words ‘featuring’, or ‘with’, or ‘and’, or ‘meets’, or ‘versus’; or
2. a contribution as a lead vocalist; or
3. contract between the performer and the Contracted Artist entitling the performer to receive royalties as a singer or musician from sales of the recording; or
4. official correspondence from the Contracted Artist or their management confirming contributing category; or
5. a duly executed contract between the performer and other members of the group confirming contributor category

Below are a few useful posts from SAMPRA's Instagram Page

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