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 should this matter to you?
The digital music distribution industry is seeing a rising wave of acquisitions and mergers. When a distribution platform is bought or merges with another company, it is not just a change of logo or interface; it can directly affect your contract, your earnings and the fate of your songs on the streaming platforms. An artist who does not understand this equation can find themselves in a difficult position with no prior warning.
What actually changes after an acquisition?
Not every acquisition is a danger, but there are common changes that happen in most cases:
- Terms of service: The new owner has the legal right to amend the terms of service, and a notice is usually sent by email in which continued use counts as implicit acceptance of the new terms.
- The commission structure: Annual fees may rise, or new fees may be introduced that did not exist before, such as withdrawal fees or administration fees.
- Payment policy: Payout cycles or the minimum withdrawal may change.
- Customer support: During merger phases, technical support declines in most cases, which means delays in resolving any problem involving your songs.
- Service shutdown: In documented cases, some platforms stopped operating entirely after an acquisition, which led to songs being pulled from the streaming platforms temporarily or permanently.
Does ownership of your songs pass to the new owner?
Legally, no. Legitimate distribution platforms do not claim ownership of song rights; they receive a limited licence to distribute them. The real risk, however, lies in the contract clauses on "successors and assigns", since the contract's obligations pass in full to the acquiring company. That is why these clauses must be read carefully before registering with any platform.
Practical steps to protect your music
- Always keep a copy of your original files: in WAV or AIFF at studio quality, in more than one place (an external drive and cloud storage).
- Record your ISRC and UPC data somewhere separate: these codes are the digital identity of your songs, and losing them along with the collapse of the platform makes tracking past streams difficult.
- Read the email notices from your platform: legal update messages in particular are the ones that tell you about any change in the terms.
- Follow industry news: specialist sources such as Music Business Worldwide and Hypebot publish acquisition news as soon as it happens, which gives you time to act.
- Do not put all your songs in one basket: if you have a large catalogue, consider spreading the risk by using more than one platform for different works.
- Understand the account cancellation process: know in advance how to pull your music from the platform and how long that takes; some platforms need 30 days or more to remove content from all the stores.
What do you look for in a trustworthy distribution platform?
When choosing a distribution platform or assessing your current one, focus on these points:
- Clear terms stating that ownership stays with the artist.
- A transparent policy on what happens when the account is closed or the service is terminated.
- Clear financial stability that reduces the likelihood of a sudden shutdown.
- No long-term exclusive contracts that stop you moving easily.
Summary
A change of ownership at a distribution platform is not the end of the world, but it is a warning that calls for reviewing your position immediately. The professional artist is the one who knows where their files are, what their contractual rights are, and has a fallback plan ready. Do not wait until the problem shows up; start auditing your contract with your distribution platform today.