Bien tops KAMP royalties

Bien-Aimé is the Kenya Association of Music Producers' (KAMP) top independent earner.

The Collective Management Organisation (CMO) has announced the completion of its first scientific distribution process in over a decade.

They will be releasing a total of KES 8,050,170.20, representing the declared amount for KAMP's Quarter 1 distribution.

Bien's band, Sauti Sol, is also among the top three earners. However, the CMO has stated that the band members have requested anonymity.

A full report with names and amounts for all members paid will be submitted to the Kenya Copyright Board.

Speaking after receiving his share, Bien commended KAMP for being the first to implement scientific distribution in the organisation's 10-year history. He believes scientific distribution is the future of the music industry.

"KAMP is pleased to report that we have now finalised the Quarter 1 royalties' declaration, which included both general and catalogue-based payments, as well as scientific payments, all in accordance with our distribution rules," said Angela Ndambuki, KAMP's Board Chairperson.

Previously, the CMO had released both general and catalogue-based payments to its 1,600 members.

"The amount being released today is the balance from what was declared on 5th April 2024 during the Special General Meeting. KES 9,075,873.00 was already paid out to our members, leaving a balance of KES 8,050,170.20. This amount has been split in two, with half going to local members and the remaining 50% being distributed to our international affiliates through our agreements with international record labels," she added.

Angela expressed satisfaction with the performance thus far, considering that the organisation receives 21.12% of amounts jointly collected by the previously existing three CMOs (Music Copyright Society of Kenya, The Performing and Audio-Visual Rights Society of Kenya (Pavrisk) and KAMP).

The cumulative amounts for Q1 now paid to the top three earners are as follows: Highest earner of Q1 will receive KES 1,325,926.49, Second highest earner KES 1,036,741.10, and Third highest earner KES 697,163.00.