Niyola, a rising R &B singer and artist on New York & Nigeria based EME Records, sings the cover song for Beyonce’s ‘Drunk in Love’ featuring Jay-Z.
However, before you listen to the track et al she/her team sent me. AML artists looking to do covers for Beyonce and other US artists, here is the gist of how it works and presumably, the EME team did this already, especially since they have lawyers covering their interests.
I want to cover Beyonce’s ‘Drunk in Love’ like Niyola. What do I need to know Ms. Uduak?
You do not need Beyonce’s permission to cover ‘Drunk in Love’ or any other published songs of Beyonce. You do, however, need to obtain a mechanical license and pay the statutory fee.
What is a Mechanical License?
A mechanical license aka “compulsory” mechanical license gives you the limited permission to use musical compositions on CDs, records, tapes, and digitally.
What is the Statutory Fee
The statutory fee proscribed by congress is 9.1 cents per song. This is calculated on a penny basis and is paid per digital units or physical units sold.
Where Can I Obtain this Mechanical License?
The Harry Fox Agency.
Limelight
What If I want to Make My Own Music Video and Put it in You Tube?
Now you need a Synchronization (synch) license to synch the song with the audio/visual element of your video.
What if I Don’t Get A Synch License and I Still Put My Video on You Tube?
Then you are infringing on the work of someone else and You Tube can take down the video if they receive a DMCA take down notice request. In the alternative, You Tube can ask the copyright holder if they want to monetize the content. If the copyright holder agrees, then the content will remain on You Tube, but don’t count on it.
Let’s stop here for now. Take a listen to Niyola’s cover and tell me what you think.
Catch you all later and have a great day.
Cheers,
Uduak
The EME first lady Niyola surprises us with this beautiful cover to Beyonce’s new hit single “Drunk In Love”. We just received this today and we were told that it had to be certified by VEVO via Music Broadcast Channel.
Niyola definitely is one of the hottest singers on the rise right now from Nigeria. She has proven herself with this track, we can’t seem to tell if its better than the original or not. However, she you be the judge, bless your ears with this amazing masterpiece.Connect with Niyola on Twitter: @iamNiyola
Beyonce’s Version
