The House of Representatives has assured that it will ensure the late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, receives proper compensation and royalties from his music work.
Chairman of the House Committee on Justice, Hon. Olumide Osoba, made the commitment at an interactive session on the rights and royalties related to Mohbad’s music.
This was in compliance with a motion of urgent public importance moved last week by Hon. Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos) to secure the royalties of Mohbad’s song.
Osoba emphasised the need of securing compensation and royalties, acknowledging that the payments were essential sources of income for musicians.
He said such will enable artists to sustain their careers, create new music, and build a future within the industry, adding that the current system often falls short in adequately protecting and providing for young musicians concerning their royalty rights.
Osoba said many emerging artists face challenges when negotiating fair royalty agreements, particularly when dealing with major record labels, which often wield significant power and can impose unfavourable terms, resulting in artists receiving only a fraction of the royalties they deserve.
He said: “It is crucial to recognise that young musicians are often not well-informed about their rights when entering into contracts.”
The lawmaker said such knowledge gap places them at a disadvantage position, as they may not fully understand the complex legal intricacies surrounding royalty rights.
He said the responsibility rests on society to bridge the knowledge gap and ensure that young musicians are aware of their rights while having access to legal support that safeguards their interests.
According to him, to address these issues, it was vital to work towards implementing stronger regulations and support systems within the industry.
This includes advocating for more transparent and standardised contracts for all artists, irrespective of their age or experience, to level the playing field and prevent the exploitation of young talent.
“Additionally, there is a need to adapt the music industry to the digital age. While digital streaming platforms have revolutionized music consumption and distribution, young musicians often struggle to earn a substantial income due to outdated royalty structures.
“Advocating for revised royalty models that accurately reflect the value of music in the streaming era is essential,” Osoba stated.
He added that the committee was committed to this responsibility, adding that they have requested relevant information regarding the circumstances of Mohbad’s death and the measures in place to secure his royalties and other benefits.
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