Basata unveils new contract models to resolve music industry disputes

Dar es Salaam. The National Arts Council (Basata) has announced plans to introduce standard contract models to address the growing number of contractual disputes in the music industry.

The new model contracts will serve as a guide for artists, managers, and record labels, providing key areas of consideration when entering agreements, in a bid to reduce misunderstandings and conflicts.

Basata's senior arts officer, Mr Abel Ndaga, said the council had observed that most disputes brought before the council stem from poorly drafted or misunderstood contracts.

“There has been a big challenge when it comes to contracts, and we at the Arts Council find that most of the disputes we handle stem from contract-related issues,” he said.

Mr Ndaga noted that while the proposed models might not be perfect, they will highlight essential elements that should be included in agreements and serve as a foundation to reduce conflicts.

“That’s why we, as the Arts Council, are now working towards having a standard contract model. It may not cover everything, but it will address critical aspects that we believe can eliminate many of the recurring challenges,” he added.

He urged artists to take advantage of Basata’s legal advisory services before signing any contracts.

These services, offered free of charge, are aimed at helping artists understand legal terms and their implications.

“When an artist registers with us, we have a legal department that offers guidance. We strongly encourage artists to bring their contracts for review so they can be properly advised on the advantages and risks involved,” he said.

Despite the availability of this support, Mr Ndaga expressed concern that very few artists use it.

Hip hop artist Musa Mabumo, popularly known as Bando, welcomed the idea of standardized contracts, saying it could promote fairness in the industry.

“I think the models should consider both parties — the artist and the investor. That way, it’s not just about protecting the artist but also ensuring that investors have their rights respected. This balance will encourage more people to invest in artists,” he said.

On his part, artist manager Godfrey Abel called for Basata to also invest in training artist managers.

“There’s a need for Basata to provide training on what a manager’s role is in supporting an artist’s career. If a manager lacks that understanding, it’s easy to ignore the terms of a contract or fail to protect the artist,” he said.

He added that empowering managers through education will contribute to building a more professional and sustainable music industry.