General Info

SAMRO Registration for Artists

4 years ago
Gauta Lenake
122 Comments
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Image Credit: www.samro.org.za

Are you a songwriter or a music producer and would like to know how to earn royalties from your music?

Well in this short article I will show you how you can do that. But this post is for the aspiring/newbie artist and therefore I’ll only be focusing on SAMRO registration for music creators.

So let’s begin but before we do, let me answer the following question for you. 

What is SAMRO?

SAMRO is the acronym for Southern African Music Rights Organization. The organization operates as a non-profit organization and has been in existence since 1961.

Samro’s job is to administer the performing works on behalf of composers, authors and music publishers. But you have to be member first in order to enjoy the long term benefits.

With the definition now out of the way, let me explain to you….

How SAMRO works

SAMRO issues a music license to anybody (Individuals and businesses) who wants to use music for commercial purposes.

Say you have a pub, a shopping mall or restaurant and you intend to play music at your establishment, then you would need to apply for a license with SAMRO.

The same goes for broadcasters (Radio Stations and Television Studios), live music venues and promoters – they all need permission from Samro.

After issuing these licenses, samro collects all monies generated from all the mentioned businesses and they would then distribute the funds accordingly to all registered members as royalties.

How to register your music with SAMRO

Now before you get carried away, I must state that samro registration does not mean automatic membership approval (I’ll explain this shortly).

There is a difference between samro registration and samro membership. But for the purpose of this blog post (like I mentioned earlier), we will focus on how to register your works with samro.

By works I’m referring to your compositions (lyrics, instrumentals, beats, and so forth).

Please note when you visit the samro website, click on the MUSIC CREATOR LINK and not user.

I have included a screenshot below to illustrate my point just in case you’re lost.

samro home page

In order to register your works with Samro, you would have to do the following (in that sequence):

  • Download four forms – A membership application form, a dead of Assignment form, a notification of works form and the Banking details form
samro regisration forms screenshot
  • Then you should fill out all those forms and initial each page.
  • When that is done then you should send back all the forms to samro with a certified copy of your ID via email, fax or you can personally drop off all the documents at their offices in Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Samro recommends that you contact them after four weeks in order to check the status of your application.  

I mentioned not so long ago that samro membership is not automatic. Well that’s because Samro recommends that your work(s) has to be active first.

For example say you register songs which are currently (or previously) play-listed (on radio stations) or performed live at a major event that should increase your chances of being a member.

But the final decision lies with the board which meets four times in a calendar year to review and approve memberships. 

Conclusion

Samro registration is neither difficult nor complicated. If you have original compositions that you have worked on then it is important to register your works for peace of mind.

And Samro is the only and recognized body in Southern Africa which ensures that all monies are collected from music users and distributed to music creators in the form of royalties.

Note: The above post contains affiliate links, which means that we may receive a commission if you make a purchase when clicking a link. Please consult our privacy policy for more information.

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122 thoughts on “SAMRO Registration for Artists”

        1. Hi

          You must register your music with SAMRO as explained in the article.

          Please read the article again and follow the instructions.

          Reply

    3. Hy I Sboniso Emmanuel Ngubane My brother I have big problem here I mx sound Like Ngqom ,Piano It’s more than 10 yrs MX Sounds My some of your Artest my problem they steal my songs They don’t use there own talent (2)And other problem for more than 10 I don’t get even half cent. For They steal my songs

      Reply

    1. Hi Spy Pro

      You can visit the samro website to register your songs. If you are based in Gauteng you go to their offices in Braamfontein, 20 De Korte Street

      Reply

    1. Hi Akidius

      Unfortunately, you won’t be able to upload your songs here. This blog post was just for informational purposes.

      You can register your songs on the SAMRO Portal.

      Reply

  8. Good day

    I would like to know if i have to register every time i have a new song or i can use one registration for all my songs?

    Reply

    1. Hi Azile

      Please read the blog post again and follow the instructions. I explained how you can register your songs with SAMRO

      Reply

  12. Hello samro

    I like also to join samro to work together
    please can you send me the forms of somro that I can register as an artist.please I beg you send me straight to my email I will download them.

    Thank you so very much.

    Reply

    1. Hi Tsakane

      You have to register on the SAMRO website or can visit their offices in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.

      Please read the blog post again because I explained how you can register online.

      Reply

  16. Hello SAMRO am music producer
    I have 5 vocalists people how they registered them for first registration? Through online

    Reply

    1. Hi Matome

      Correction: We are not SAMRO. Please familiarize yourself with this website.

      To answer your question: I’m not sure what you mean. But if you have 5 vocalists/songwriters you should include them (their full names( when filling out the forms. And you have to allocate a percentage of the royalties to each composer and/or lyricist. You can find all the registration and notification of works forms on the SAMRO website as explained.

      Reply

    1. Hi Donemore

      Any artist from Southern Africa can register with SAMRO. The process is the same but you must submit a copy of your passport including the supporting documents. You can do the application online via the SAMRO Website.

      Regards
      Gauta

      Reply

    1. Hi Sphamandla

      The process is the same for music producers. You need to complete all the relevant forms and submit via email or at the SAMRO office.

      Reply

    1. Hi

      You must register your music with SAMRO. Please read the article again and follow the instructions.

      Thank you

      Reply

    1. Hi Lil Kay

      You must register your music with SAMRO. Please read the article again and follow the instructions.

      Thank you

      Reply

    1. Hi Bongani

      Please elaborate. When you register your songs, your full name, artist name and ID number will be required by SAMRO. Please re-read the article and follow the instructions in order to register.

      Reply

  31. Hi. I’m Thulani motsepe from hammanskraal in pretoria and I would like to register as a south African singer and make people to listen and dance for my music

    Reply

    1. Hi There

      Please read the article again. The registration for producers and artists is the same irrespective of the genre.

      Reply

  39. Hellow this massage is dedicated to samro website.My name is sean rismart from thohoyandou southafrica im 20 years old i need help from samro.iam young rapper so just need to be something else ’bout this industry of music because im talented. And i have hope that samro will help to promote my music

    Reply

    1. Hi There

      Please familiarize yourself with this website. We are not SAMRO. This article was written for artists and musicians on how to register their music with SAMRO.

      SAMRO does not promote music. Please read the article again and you will find the answers you are looking for.

      Reply

    1. Hi Lindani

      SAMRO membership is not automatic. In order to be a member, your music must be play listed on radio stations.

      Reply

  42. Hii My name is Katlego im 22 yrs old From Hammanskraal at suurman i need help from samro. i am producer i just need samro to help me to in Music industry

    Reply

    1. Hi Katlego
      Please re-read the article. SAMRO is a collection society for performance rights royalties. If you want to register your music/compositions, yo can do so via SAMRO.

      Reply

  43. Hi I’m MR-NGHON’WA a new comming Xitsonga traditional music artist with 02(two) albums ahead,I want to register my music with SAMRO for me to submit my work to SABC Radio stations so then my music can be played on air needed

    Reply

    1. Hi Allister

      Yes registration/notification of works and membership are two different things. Notifications of work is automatic and but SAMRO membership is a process.

      Reply

    1. Hi Bradley

      Registration is free of charge.

      To register songs is immediate because the data is captured on the SAMRO system. But SAMRO membership take months to a year.

      Reply

  49. I just want to check whether my music was registered with Samro if not [ Bamamedi Ba Lentswe Gospel Choir]? How do I go about Registering the process if need be if registered how should I check my royalties?

    Reply

    1. Hi Hendrick

      You should contact (or visit their offices in Braamfontein) SAMRO regarding registration and royalties, I can’t help you with that.

      Reply

  54. THANK YOU SO MUCHI RECORDED MY MUSIC RECENTLY BUT I AM AN UPCOMING ARTIST I NEED TO REGISTER MY SONGS

    Reply

  56. I am a new songwriter and artist (Musician). I would to register my music with SAMRO but I am struggling to be registered. Am not sure if I am unable to get a relevant procedure to get there. Could you please share with me a relevant procedure and requirements?

    Reply

  57. I like what you guys are up too. Such intelligent work and reporting! Carry on the excellent works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my website 🙂

    Reply

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