Money, Music & Manipulation: Who Really Gets Paid?

Music looks glamorous on the outside, but the money story behind it is very different. Breaking into global markets as an African artist can cost hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars, while local streams generate only a fraction of that value. In this episode, Just Ivy Africa sits down with Moriasi Omambia, General Counsel and Head of Business Affairs at Sauti Sol Group, to unpack the real economics of the music industry, from discovery to global success. In this episode, we break down: • Where most artists actually start (and why church is the biggest talent pipeline) • Why millions of streams don’t always translate to real money • The harsh reality of marketing budgets needed to go global • How record deals, ownership, and royalties really work • The truth about “industry plants” and whether they exist • Stream farming and how numbers can be manipulated • How money laundering has historically flowed through entertainment • Why African artists must build culture—not just chase global validation We also explore the uncomfortable truth: Is the music industry designed to make artists wealthy, or to keep them working? And most importantly, what does it actually take to win? Moriasi Omambia, General Counsel and Head of Business Affairs at Sauti Sol Group linkedin.com/in/moriasi-omambia-5a624638 Stay ahead of everything happening in the economy, powered by The Kenyan Wall Street: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6bsWC0rGiScNY6zP47 👉 Subscribe to The Kenyan Wall Street for new episodes every week! 🎧 Listen & Follow Just Money Podcast: Spotify: Just Money Podcast TikTok: Just Money Podcast X (Twitter): @JustMoneypod Instagram: @JustMoneyPodcast Follow our Host Just Ivy Africa on Socials: https://linktr.ee/justivyafrica_?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=63b80341-307e-4644-a2d7-dadb5367987f Sponsors: Set Provider Thank you to Kofisi for providing our beautiful, world-class set, where ideas like this thrive. Visit them at: https://kofisi.africa/ If scammed or have been a victim of an online trading scam, you should report the incident immediately: Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI): Contact the toll-free hotline at 0800722203 or file a report at your nearest police station. Capital Markets Authority (CMA): Report fraudulent and unlicensed investment platforms to the CMA.Central Bank of Kenya (CBK): Check the CBK Fraud Safety Guidelines for more information on spotting Ponzi and pyramid schemes.