Live concert performance with dramatic stage lighting and performing artist
South Africa’s Music Business Lab

Get Your Ducks in a Row
Like a Pro.

The amount of things you need to get done to set up your music business so you actually get paid is a lot — and it can get overwhelming. After decades of experience, we've made the mistakes, lost money, and wasted time on tools that don't always work. So we built the ultimate SA Indie Artist platform.

Now Takes Hours
What used to take weeks
Royalty Gaps Fixed
Stop Losing Money
15+ Years Experience
Built by Veterans

Are you one of the artists leaving money on the table?

R100M+

in unclaimed royalties sitting at SA collecting societies

4 Bodies

you MUST register with — most artists only know one

73%

of independent artists don't collect all their royalty types

Built by artists, for artists. We know your struggle — it's hard work releasing stuff yourself. We've poured our life's education and knowledge into this platform to help SA artists understand royalties, set everything up to earn, and give you kick-ass tools like Release Management, Split Sheets, Contract Templates, Radio Submissions, ISRC Vault, Audio Metadata Tagging, AI Manager and much more.

The Problems We Solve

Creating music has never been cheaper. But getting paid? That's where most artists get it wrong.

“I released 3 singles before I even knew CAPASSO existed. That's mechanical royalties I'll never get back.” — Anonymous SA artist

Stop Leaving Money on the Table

Most SA artists only register with ONE collecting society. Learn why you need all four — SAMRO, CAPASSO, SAMPRA & RiSA — and what happens when you don't.

Royalties Decoded (Finally)

Performance, mechanical, needletime, sync — it sounds like another language. We break it down so you actually understand where your money comes from.

Navigate SAMRO, CAPASSO & Co.

Who collects what? How do you register? When do you get paid? The real answers without the jargon — straight from someone who's been through it.

Contracts That Don't Rob You

Labels love artists who don't read contracts. Learn about 360 deals, licensing deals, and what to negotiate before you sign away your masters.

The AI Era: SUNO Rather Than Later

AI can now create entire songs. But can they be copyrighted? Learn how to protect your work and adapt your strategy in the age of AI music.

Build Your Team & Career

From managers to booking agents to distributors — know who you need, when you need them, and how to avoid the rookie mistakes that cost careers.

Artist Tools

Everything You Need to Run Your Music Business

More than just courses — get the professional tools SA artists actually need to manage royalties, submissions, contracts, and metadata.

Release Manager

Your complete release roadmap — 65+ steps from pre-production to post-release. SA-specific registrations, AI tools, radio submission, and platform integrations built in.

Radio Submissions Hub

Submit polished, professional packages to 23+ SA radio stations. MRL formats your email copy, EPK, artist info, streaming links, and release details — so you look like you know what you're doing.

Pro EPK Builder

Create professional Electronic Press Kits with a guided wizard. Generate polished PDFs ready for industry submission.

Split Sheet Signature Tool

Create, send, and collect digital signatures on royalty split sheets. Keep your collaborations properly documented.

Legal Guard

Access SA-specific legal templates and AI-powered contract analysis. Flag unfair terms before you sign.

Metadata & ISRC Manager

Centralised vault for all your song metadata, ISRC codes, and composer splits. Export registration-ready sheets for RISA and CAPASSO.

Template Library

Download SA-specific document templates for management agreements, producer buyouts, performance contracts, and more.

Meet Your Instructor

Learn from someone who has lived and breathed the SA music industry.

Ryno Zeelie performing a guitar solo on stage under bright lights
Ryno performing at MUSEXPO - United Nations of Music international conference
Ryno with bandmates performing live on a concert stage
View from stage of a massive outdoor festival crowd
Ryno and fellow musician on the Idols SA set with guitars
Ryno backstage at a major TV production
Ryno with fellow musicians at The Voice SA set

Ryno Zeelie

Certified Maxwell Leadership Trainer • Accredited L&D Professional • Guitarist

In my first career I followed my heart and love for making music. As a producer, engineer and session guitarist I worked with some of SA's biggest artists and played some of the biggest stages in the country — including Idols SA and The Voice SA for many seasons.

I built Figure of 8 Productions and recorded music for artists like AKA, Tresor, Mi Casa, Locnville, Sjava, Francois van Coke, Riky Rick, DJ Zinhle, Shekinah, Elvis Blue and many more. I've had songs placed on Amazon Prime, DSTV, movies and TV adverts, charting original compositions, award nominations and wins.

After 14 years I sold the studio business and dove deep into Learning & Development, applying my producer skills to designing incredible learning experiences. Now with over 10 years in L&D, I'm combining both worlds — the music industry knowledge I gained, and the eLearning expertise I've built — to create the Music Royalty Lab.

This content was originally developed for Inscape College but never released. Now, with modern technology, it's finally time to share this knowledge with every artist who needs it.

15+ years as a producer, engineer & session guitarist
Performed on Idols SA, The Voice SA, KDay, Joburg Day, Skouspel
Worked with AKA, Tresor, Mi Casa, Locnville, Sjava, DJ Zinhle & more
Chart-topping compositions, award nominations & wins
Built Figure of 8 Productions — sold to Shekinah
10+ years in Learning & Development, eLearning & Instructional Design

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