Step-by-Step Guide to Signing a Record Deal as an Arewa Artist

Here is a short story of mine

I can still remember one rainy evening in Kano market when a young singer, Razak, handed me a memory stick and said, “This one could change my life.” He had 500 people at his last gig and a few viral videos. A small label called two weeks later. Razak wanted to sign the first offer he got. I sat with him, read the email, and told him to slow down. He stayed cautious, asked questions, and later signed a short deal that grew his reach without losing his masters. It was not luck. It was preparation.

If you are an Arewa artist wondering how to get from local shows to a proper Hausa record deal, this guide walks you through the exact steps, the traps to avoid, and the practical moves that work in northern Nigeria today.

Why this matters

A music contract Nigeria is not only about cash. It decides who owns your recordings, how much you earn from streams, who can license your music, and what happens when you want to leave. A good deal can grow your career. A bad one can keep your music in limbo. Read on and learn how to sign with your eyes open.

Quick overview: the main stages

1. Build proof that you are worth signing.
2. Make a professional submission.
3. Evaluate the offer using clear criteria.
4. Negotiate the terms that matter.
5. Sign only when obligations and rights are balanced.

Below I break each step into practical actions.

1. Before you seek a Hausa record deal — prepare like a pro

Labels sign assets, not promises. Treat yourself as the product.

What to do

• Make a strong demo or single. Record at least one track that sounds finished. Labels do not want raw voice memos.
• Assemble an EPK (electronic press kit) with bio, photos, social links, streaming numbers, short video of a live show, and press quotes if any.
• Collect real data. Streams, YouTube views, radio plays, and ticket sales are proof. Even small consistent numbers are better than nothing.
• Build a simple online hub. A Linktree or a small page with music, socials, and contact info.
• Register your songs with a rights management body and a performance rights organisation where possible. This makes collection of royalties easier.
• Get simple team help. A trusted manager or an experienced mentor helps with introductions and reading offers. If you cannot afford a manager yet, at least have one trusted person to read contracts with you.

Why this helps
Labels will offer better terms to artists they can scale. If a label sees a clear fan base, they are more likely to invest.

Recommended post for you: How to Get Discovered by Record Labels in Nigeria & Beyond

2. How to find and approach the right label

Not every label fits every artist. Know what you want.

Where to look

• Local independent labels in Kano, Kaduna, Abuja, Jos and Lagos that already release Hausa music.
• Producers and engineers who work with artists you admire.
• A&R reps at festivals, radio shows, and music conferences.
• Digital distribution platforms and aggregator partners who can introduce you to label services.

How to approach

1. Send a short email or WhatsApp message with a one-line intro.
2. Include a streaming link to your best song. Do not attach large files.
3. Add an EPK link and a short line on your following and recent shows.
4. Follow up once after a week if you do not hear back.

Submission email template
Keep it simple. Example:

Subject: Artist Submission — [Your Name] — Hausa single "Title"

Hello [A&R name],

My name is [Your Name], I am an Arewa singer from [city]. Please find my EPK here [link] and my single [streaming link]. I recently played [venue] to [number] people and have [number] streams on [platform]. I would love to discuss label support.

Thanks,
[Name] — [phone] — [social links]

3. Types of deals you may see

Understanding deal types prevents surprises.

Common deal types

• Distribution deal. You keep masters. Label handles distribution for a fee or share of revenue.
• License deal. You license specific tracks to the label for a set time or territory.
• Record deal (traditional). Label finances recording and handles release. Label usually owns masters for the term.
• 360 deal. Label takes a share of all revenue streams, including touring and sponsorship.
• Single release deal. Short term agreement for one song.

Which to prefer
For many rising Arewa artists, a distribution or single license deal gives control while gaining reach. A full record deal can work if the label proves it will actively promote you and pay a fair advance.

4. Read the contract — key clauses that matter

Contracts look long and confusing. Focus on these parts first.

Essential clauses

• Grant of rights. What rights are you giving away and for how long. Territory and format must be listed.
• Term and options. How long is the deal and how many options can the label pick? Short is usually safer.
• Advance. Upfront payment. Ask for a breakdown and how it is recouped.
• Royalties. Your share per stream, sale, or license and how it is calculated.
• Recoupment. What costs the label will recover from your royalties.
• Master ownership. Who owns the master recordings.
• Reversion. When masters return to you, if at all.
• Marketing obligations. What the label will actually do to promote the record.
• Accounting schedule and audit rights. How often you get statements and whether you can check the label’s books.
• Termination and breach. How either party ends the deal.
• Sample and clearance responsibility. Who clears and pays for samples or features.
• Publishing and sync rights. Who controls licensing for TV, films and adverts.

Red flags

• No clear marketing plan.
• Unlimited ownership of masters with no reversion.
• No audit rights or irregular accounting.
• Ambiguous language such as “all rights in perpetuity.”
• Advance that seems high but hides massive recoupment rules.

Suggested article: How to Get Brand Deals as a Hausa Artist in 2025

5. Negotiation — practical moves that work

Negotiation is a conversation, not a fight.

Step-by-step negotiation plan

1. Ask for the contract to be sent in advance. Do not sign anything on the spot.
2. Get a breakdown of the advance and spending plan. How much goes to recording, publicity, videos, and artist cost of living.
3. Limit the term. Try to limit the initial term to 12 or 24 months with clear release targets.
4. Insert a reversion clause. Request that masters revert back to you if not exploited within a set time.
5. Keep publishing separate when possible. Try to retain publishing or take a co-publishing split. Publishing often pays more in the long run.
6. Define marketing KPIs. Ask for minimum promotion commitments such as number of radio adds, playlist pitch attempts, or music video deliverables.
7. Ask for audit rights and regular statements. Quarterly or biannual statements are standard.
8. Negotiate percentages with data. Show your streaming and sales numbers as leverage.
9. Hire a lawyer or an experienced manager to review terms. If you cannot afford a lawyer, ask a trusted industry pro to help read the main clauses.

A simple math example to explain recoupment
Suppose the label gives an advance of 1,000,000 NGN and your royalty is 15% of revenue. The album generates 10,000,000 NGN.

Step by step:

• Calculate artist royalty = 10,000,000 times 0.15.
  10,000,000 × 0.15 = 1,500,000.
  So artist royalty = 1,500,000 NGN.
• Label recoups advance from artist royalty.
  1,500,000 minus 1,000,000 = 500,000.
  Artist receives 500,000 NGN after recoupment.

This shows why recoupment and royalty rates matter. If the label recoups recording costs too, your first royalties may be small or zero for a time.

6. Practical checklist before you sign

• Do you understand who owns the masters?
• Do you know the exact royalty calculation?
• Is the term reasonable?
• Are marketing commitments written in the contract?
• Is publishing handled fairly?
• Do you have audit rights?
• Is the advance realistic and documented?
• Have you identified red flags?

If any answer is no, pause and ask for changes.

Case study — Aminu from Kano

Aminu was an Arewa singer with 12,000 monthly streams and a steady concert crowd in Kano. A mid-size label offered a two-album deal, an advance of 800,000 NGN, and ownership of masters for seven years.

What Aminu did

1. He asked the label for a written promotion plan.
2. He negotiated the contract term down to three years with a single album option.
3. He kept publishing rights and accepted a co-publishing split.
4. He asked for quarterly statements and the right to audit every two years.
5. He pushed for a reversion clause that would return masters if the label did not release the album within 12 months.

Result
Aminu received label distribution and some radio push. He kept enough rights to license songs for adverts later. The smaller term made it easier to renegotiate after growth.

“Labels are partners, not owners of your future. Read the paper. Speak plainly. Ask for what you need.”
— Fatima Bello, A&R, Arewa Records

“I signed because the label put my name on radio. It helped. But I also kept my publishing. That paid off later.”
— Hajara, fan and promoter, Kano

Expert tips from the field

• Always have at least one person who reads contracts with you. A simple second eye catches hidden clauses.
• Ask for a promotional calendar. A label that cannot show planned dates for single drops, videos and radio is not serious.
• Build negotiating power. More shows, streams and buzz equals better terms.
• If a label offers a big advance, check the fine print on recoupment and cross-collateralisation.
• Consider releasing singles first to test the market before committing to a full album deal.

Actionable insights — what to do this month

• Finalize one radio-ready single and a one-page EPK.
• Send submission emails to five labels you respect.
• Find a music lawyer or a trusted manager to review any contract.
• Learn the basic terms: advance, recoupment, masters, publishing, term.
• Keep performing and collecting receipts. Numbers sell.

FAQ

The final thought and also CTA

Signing a music contract Nigeria or a Hausa record deal should be a step forward, not a trap. Protect your recordings, track your numbers, and keep learning the business side as you grow the art side. If you are ready, start with a good demo, a clean EPK, and one clear ask when you contact a label.

Tell me about your story. Have you been offered a deal? Post the key clause you are unsure about in the comments and I will highlight what to watch. Share this guide with a fellow Arewa artist who needs it.