Key Royalty Recipients Announced

The Collective Management Institute (LMK) of WAMI has officially revealed the names of musicians receiving royalties in the March 2025 distribution. Among the notable figures is singer-songwriter Melly Goeslaw, who received Rp. 559.9 million (gross) thanks to the enduring popularity of her songs, including Ayat ayat Cinta, famously performed by Rossa, as well as her own hits like hanging and what’s up with love (feat. eric Erlangga).

Adding to the list of accomplished composers is Mohamad Indra Gerson, who earned Rp. 730.8 million (gross) for penning After Dark for the Texas-based artist, Mr. Kitty. The distribution list also includes prominent names such as Eross Candra, ade Govinda, and Doel Sumbang, alongside other artists who prefer to remain anonymous.

WAMI’s New Royalty Distribution Schedule

in a move to enhance fairness and efficiency, WAMI has announced a revised royalty distribution schedule. Royalties will now be disbursed three times annually, specifically in March, July, and November. This change aims to provide more frequent and equitable compensation to artists.

This is one way of Wami to share royalties fairly while we also continue to improve ourselves,

Adi Adrian, President Director of WAMI

Melly Goeslaw’s Perspective on Music Royalties

Melly Goeslaw has previously shared her experiences with receiving royalty payments from LMK WAMI, even posting proof of transfers on social media. She emphasized that royalty income fluctuates based on the usage of her songs.

Oh yeah, this royalty is not fixed, several times, I got more than 100 thousand rupiah, but often I got hundreds of millions, it all depends on how much my songs are used,

Melly Goeslaw, on her Instagram account

Minimum Royalty Distribution Policy

WAMI has established a minimum royalty distribution of Rp 500,000 per member for composers and songwriters who joined before December 31, 2024. This policy is designed to compensate creators whose works may not be fully identified or documented, ensuring they still receive some remuneration for their contributions.

The State of Music Royalties in Indonesia

The royalty distribution, which commenced on March 24, 2025, involved a total collection of Rp 96 billion in performing rights royalties. These earnings are derived from various sources, including digital platforms, non-digital media, and international revenue streams. This highlights the diverse avenues through which musicians can now earn royalties in the modern music landscape.

Understanding music royalties is crucial for artists in 2025. Royalties are generated from copyrights, a form of intellectual property protecting original works [3]. These royalties stem from various uses of music, including streaming on platforms like Spotify and radio airplay [1]. Independent musicians need to understand the royalty process to ensure they are fairly compensated for their work [2].