Prepare the master
Export the final mix as an uncompressed WAV file — the standard is 24-bit / 48kHz. Listen to the file all the way through, from beginning to end, on headphones and on a phone speaker. Check the start and the end for clicks, and don't leave extra silence at either end.
Cover art that passes review
Your cover art travels with the release to every store. The spec is 3000×3000 pixels, RGB. Keep text minimal and readable at thumbnail size, and avoid platform logos, account handles, prices and links — stores reject cover art that carries them.
Metadata and codes
Metadata is how the world finds you: an artist name spelled the same way on every release, the real title with no decoration, and the correct language and genre tags. The codes — ISRC for the recording and UPC for the release — are assigned during preparation; you don't need to buy them anywhere.
Choose the release date
Give yourself room. A date several weeks out leaves space for review, delivery and pitching before day one. Line the date up with anything you control — a video, a show, a run of posts — so the release lands with support behind it rather than alone.
Request your invite
Mazufa works by invitation only. Completed applications enter a human review queue as capacity allows. Submitting does not create an account; those accepted may receive a dedicated preparation invite.
After acceptance
After preparation, your release is packaged to spec and delivered to every platform, and its data is pitched to the appropriate editorial and algorithmic surfaces. From there, watch your dashboard: streams, saves and playlist adds, per platform and per country.
The fingerprint code every recording carries — it tracks streams and earnings worldwide.
Your release barcode — one per single, EP or album.
Digital service provider — Spotify, Apple Music, Anghami and every store on earth.
Why does the distributor close your account in the first place?
When a distribution company receives a copyright claim (a Copyright Claim or Takedown Notice) about a track on your account, it usually goes through stages: first removing the disputed recording, then freezing the earnings tied to it, and in cases of repetition or serious claims it may go as far as closing the account entirely. This closure does not necessarily mean you are at fault, but it does mean your money is now in a grey area that needs clear steps.
What actually happens to the accumulated earnings?
The short answer: they are frozen, and they do not disappear immediately. Most distribution companies hold the disputed earnings in a pending or held balance (Pending/Held Balance) until the dispute process ends. That period can run from weeks to months, and policies differ from one company to another under the terms of service you signed at registration.
In cases where the claim is upheld in the other party's favour, these earnings may be transferred to the claimant. If the claim is successfully rebutted, the money is usually returned to you, with the possibility of an administrative fee being deducted in some cases.
The practical steps as soon as your account is closed
- Read the notice carefully: Every closure notice should include a specific reason and the track or recording concerned. Keep a copy of it.
- Review the distributor's terms of service: Look for the "Account Termination" and "Withheld Royalties" clauses so you know how long the company is entitled to hold the money.
- File a formal objection (Dispute) within the stated deadline: Most platforms allow a limited window to object, set by their terms of service. Missing that window can mean you have implicitly waived your claim.
- Gather proof of ownership: Songwriting contracts, copyright registration certificates, correspondence with the producer, the original project files (Session Files), and first publication dates.
- Contact support in writing, not by phone: Email creates a documented record you can rely on later.
- Consult a lawyer specialising in intellectual property if the held money exceeds a substantial amount: Early advice costs less than late litigation.
What if the distributor refuses to reply or drags out the process?
If the company exceeds the period stated in its terms of service without a clear answer, you can:
- File a formal complaint with the consumer protection authority in the country where the company is incorporated.
- Report the dispute through mediation bodies such as the BBB (Better Business Bureau) if the company is American.
- Document all correspondence and take it to a small claims court (Small Claims Court) if the amounts are within the permitted limits.
How do you protect yourself before the problem happens?
- Do not distribute any recording containing a sample (Sample) you have not licensed in writing.
- Register your works with the copyright organisation in your country before distributing them; registering in advance speeds up resolving disputes.
- Choose a distributor that sets out its policy transparently on held earnings, how long they are held, and the objection process.
- Do not put all your income with one distributor if your revenue is large enough to be worth diversifying.
Summary
Your account being closed does not automatically mean your money is lost, but it does mean time is now decisive. The faster you act with documented evidence and through official channels, the better your chances of recovering your earnings. At Mazufa, we see it as the mark of a good distributor to be transparent about these policies from day one, because your money is the fruit of your creativity.