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.
The question nobody asks until it is too late
When you sign up to a music distribution platform and press "send song", the last thing on your mind is: "what if this company is sold tomorrow?" But this scenario has actually happened in the digital distribution industry. Over the past decade investment funds have taken ownership stakes in a number of the major digital music distributors, and other platforms have passed into the ownership of international groups — these are past events, and the ownership situations may have changed since. These shifts are not merely business news; they have a direct effect on your account, your earnings and your music rights.
What actually changes when the platform is sold?
When ownership of a distribution platform changes hands, the databases move with it in full, and that includes:
- Your personal account data and payment details.
- The existing distribution agreements with music stores such as Spotify, Apple Music and others.
- The song files uploaded to the platform's servers.
- The records of accumulated earnings not yet transferred.
The new owner inherits all of that, but does not necessarily inherit the same priorities or the same service policies.
Three real risks you should know about
First: a change to the terms of service. The new owner is legally able to amend the pricing policy, the commissions or the withdrawal terms, and users are usually informed by an email that may land in the spam folder. If you do not notice the amendment and do not object within the stated window, that counts as implied acceptance in most countries.
Second: payments frozen or delayed. During merger or management transition periods, some platforms see delays in paying out earnings. This does not necessarily mean your money is lost, but it can harm your cash flow if you depend on those earnings as a source of income.
Third: the service being shut down or merged into another platform. In some acquisitions the acquired platform is merged or shut down entirely, and you may be asked to re-upload your catalogue from scratch on a new platform, which can mean your distribution is interrupted for a while.
Practical steps to protect yourself now
- Keep a local copy of all your files: The high-quality audio files, the cover art, the ISRC and UPC codes, and any metadata relating to each release.
- Register the ISRC and UPC codes in your own name: If the platform issued them in its own name, you may lose control of them when you move to another platform.
- Read your email from the platform regularly: Especially the messages about terms and policies. Set up a dedicated folder for them.
- Don't put all your eggs in one basket: Consider distributing your catalogue through more than one platform, or keep a copy distributed through an alternative platform.
- Watch the earnings reports monthly: Any sudden break or unexplained drop may be an early sign of a technical or administrative problem.
Do platforms differ in the level of protection they offer?
After reviewing the data, the offer sets out the available destinations and the revenue share, services, rights and deductions before the contract.
Mazufa and a clear ownership policy
At Mazufa, ownership, licensing and royalties are governed by the agreement in force, and the terms may change in future after appropriate notice and review. Read the offer and the contract carefully and keep copies of your files and records.
Summary
The sale of a distribution platform is not the end of the world, but it is enough of an event to turn your arrangements upside down if you are not prepared. The golden rule: never leave your data, your earnings or your decisions hostage to any third party you have no oversight of. The smart artist is the one who runs their career as a real business, and always keeps backups and alternative options.