The House of Representatives has assured that it will ensure late musician, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, receives proper compensation and royalties from his music.
Chairman of the House Committee on Justice, Olumide Osoba, made this commitment during an interactive session on the rights and royalties related to Mohbad’s music, as fallout of a motion of urgent public importance earlier moved by Babajimi Benson, seeking to secure the royalties of Mohbad’s songs.
Osoba emphasised the significance of securing compensation and royalties, acknowledging that these payments are essential sources of income for musicians, as such, according to him will enable artists to sustain their careers, create new music, and build a future within the industry.
He however, said that the current system often falls short in adequately protecting and providing for young musicians concerning their royalty rights, adding that many emerging artistes face challenges when negotiating fair royalty agreements, particularly when dealing with major record labels, which often wield significant power and can impose unfavorable terms, resulting in artists receiving only a fraction of the royalties they deserve.
“it is crucial to recognise that young musicians are often not well-informed about their rights when entering into contracts”, he said.
“Additionally, there is a need to adapt the music industry to the digital age. While digital streaming platforms have revolutionised music consumption and distribution, young musicians often struggle to earn a substantial income due to outdated royalty structures.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”, the lawmaker added.
Mohbad, passed away on September 12, 2023 under mysterious circumstances, prompting police investigation still underway.
