During his time abroad, O’hene Savant learned invaluable lessons about the importance of ownership in the music industry. He emphasizes the critical need for artists to retain control over their master recordings, publishing, and image rights:

Master Recordings: Owning these grants total control over music distribution, royalties, and copyright issues. “When you hear a song in a film, it is earning money. The person who owns the master recording gets this money,” O’hene explained, highlighting the long-term financial benefits.

Publishing: This generates income separately from royalties through radio play and streaming. According to O’hene, publishing ensures artists can retire from live performances while maintaining a steady income.

Image Rights: “If you do not want your face or music to represent things you do not agree with, it is important that you own the rights to your image,” he advised.

O’hene acknowledges the financial pressures artists face, but he urges them to exercise patience when negotiating deals. “Many times, it’s just a matter of a little patience, and the reward far outweighs the inconvenience,” he shared.