Taculia Records

But before you run off trying to sell your song, enter DMs, or send your tracks to label emails, you need to understand how the industry really works. Many artists rush into things simply because they see big names online, not knowing the real structure behind how labels buy, license, or invest in songs.

This article will guide you step-by-step through everything you need to know. I’m going to talk to you the same way I talk to my artists at Taculia Records—advice, guidance, clarity, and the real truth. Let’s start from the beginning.

Do Record Labels Buy Songs?

Yes, record labels buy songs — but not in the way most upcoming artists imagine it.

Record labels don’t usually buy random songs from just anybody. What they buy are:

• Rights
• Licenses
• Ownership shares
• Master recordings
• Publishing percentages

And in most cases, a label doesn’t just “buy a song”. They invest in:

• The artist,
• The sound,
• The vision,
• And the potential to build a career around that song.

But let’s break it down properly.

Understanding the Music Industry Structure

Most upcoming artists think selling a song is like selling a pair of shoes. You give the song, they give you money, the deal ends. But the industry doesn’t work like that.

A song has too many parts attached to it. These include:

• Lyrics
• Melodies
• Composition
• Master
• Publishing
• Performance rights
• Royalties
• Intellectual property
• Future usage
• Licensing
• Distribution earnings

Because of this, when a label shows interest in a song, they need to verify ownership, publishing rights, splits, originality, and long-term revenue potential.

That’s why the question “Can I sell my song to a record label?” is deeper than many people think.

Yes, You Can Sell a Song — But Know These 3 Things First

Before any label will buy your song, three things must be in place.

1. The Song Must Be Original

No sampling without permission. No copied beat. No “I downloaded the beat on YouTube and did something small on it.”

A label will run your track through plagiarism checks, publishing databases and ownership verification tools. If anything triggers a red flag, forget the deal.

2. The Song Must Have Market Value

A label doesn’t buy sentimental music. They buy what can make money. They look for:

• A strong hook
• A unique melody
• Commercial appeal
• TikTok virality potential
• Streaming retention strength
• A marketable genre

3. You Must Be Able to Prove Ownership

This is where many upcoming artists fail. If your song contains an unsettled producer, an uncredited writer, or an uncleared sample, you won’t be able to sell it.

You need:

• Split sheets
• Beat license (exclusive, if possible)
• Recording agreement
• Publishing clarity
• Original files

At Taculia Records, before signing an artist or buying a song, we usually ask for all these. Not to stress you, but to protect you and the label.

Different Ways You Can Sell a Song to a Record Label

There are four main ways a label can buy your song, and each one affects your future earnings differently. Let’s break them down.

1. Full Song Sale (You Give Up All Rights)

This is when you completely sell the song and the label owns 100% of publishing, masters, and royalties. You walk away with a one-time payment and no future earnings.

This is common for songwriters, ghostwriters, and producers selling master rights. If you just want quick money, this is an option—but if you believe the song will blow, don’t do this unless the offer is life-changing.

2. Partial Rights Sale

Here you sell a portion of publishing or royalties and keep the rest. You still earn from the song forever. The label also earns. This is often the best option for upcoming artists who believe in their craft.

3. Licensing (You Don’t Sell the Song – You Rent It Out)

In licensing, you own the song, the label uses it for a defined purpose and time, you get paid upfront, and you share royalties. This is a smart move when you want to retain long-term ownership but also get immediate support.

4. Artist Signing (The Label Buys You, Not Just the Song)

Sometimes a label doesn’t want just the song — they want you. If your song is strong, the label may offer a recording contract, a joint venture, a distribution deal, or a publishing deal. This is why artists sometimes say “the label bought my song”, when what actually happened is that the label signed the artist behind the song.

How Much Can You Sell a Song For?

There is no fixed price. Different labels pay different amounts depending on the quality of the song, market strength, the artist’s potential, and the label’s size. Realistic ranges (local currency examples included) look like this:

• Small labels: ₦50,000 – ₦300,000
• Growing labels: ₦300,000 – ₦1,000,000
• Major labels: ₦1,000,000 – ₦10,000,000+
• International labels: $5,000 – $100,000+

At Taculia Records, the price depends on originality, potential, ownership clarity, and the artist behind the song. We don’t buy songs blindly.

Things That Make a Label Reject Your Song Immediately

Let me advise you as someone who has listened to thousands of submissions.

1. Poor production. Even if the songwriting is good, poor production can kill the value.
2. No structure or professionalism. If you send a song with no proper details, nobody will take you seriously.
3. Ownership issues. If the beat is from YouTube without exclusive rights, the label won’t touch it.
4. Weak vocals or delivery. A good song needs a good performance.
5. No clarity on your intention. Are you selling the song, looking for a signing, or proposing collaboration? Be clear.

How to Approach a Record Label to Sell Your Song

This is where many upcoming artists mess up. Let me guide you properly.

Step 1: Package Your Song Properly

You need to prepare:

• A clean audio file (prefer WAV or high-quality MP3)
• Short description of the song
• Written lyrics
• Song credits
• A short biography
• Your contact details

This shows professionalism.

Step 2: Know the Type of Deal You Want

Do you want to sell full rights, sell partial rights, license the song, or use the song to get signed? Be clear.

Step 3: Approach the Label through the Right Channel

DM is not always the best method. Use email, website submission forms, official WhatsApp contact, or physical office visits (if allowed). At Taculia Records, once you reach out through our proper channels, we guide you step-by-step.

Step 4: Don’t Beg — Sell Your Value

You’re not begging. You’re presenting value. Treat your music like a product and yourself like a professional—labels will respect that.

Red Flags to Watch Out For When Selling Your Song

Just as labels vet you, you must vet labels. Be careful when a label:

• Wants full ownership without paperwork
• Promises you the world without showing structure
• Tells you to pay them before listening
• Doesn’t have a website, office, or distribution
• Wants your masters without negotiation

These are signs of exploitation. Protect your rights.

Real-Life Example (What We See Every Day)

We once received a song from a young artist. The track was fire—strong chorus, emotional storytelling, perfect for the market. But after further checks:

• The beat was from YouTube
• He didn’t buy a license
• The producer wasn’t settled
• The background vocalist wasn’t aware
• The lyrics contained parts from someone else’s old freestyle

We couldn’t buy it. We couldn’t sign him. We couldn’t even use the song to help him. Not because he lacked talent, but because the song wasn’t “sellable”. Talent alone is not enough—structure is everything.

When Should You Sell Your Song and When Should You Keep It?

Sell your song when:

• You’re strictly a songwriter
• You don’t want to be an artist
• You need immediate income
• You have better songs in your catalog
• A label gives you a strong offer

Keep your song when:

• You know it has big potential
• You want to build your artist brand
• You see long-term value in royalties
• You haven’t settled all collaborators

A good song can feed you for life if you keep your rights.

How Taculia Records Helps Artists

At Taculia Records, we:

• Buy songs
• License songs
• Sign artists
• Help upcoming artists structure their music
• Protect them from industry exploitation
• Provide clarity on publishing and royalties
• Guide them on how to make money from their songs

We don’t just buy songs—we build artists. If your song is good and you’re serious about your craft, you can always reach out through our official channels and we’ll help you take the next step.

Final Answer (Complete Summary)

Yes, you can sell your song to a record label. Yes, record labels buy songs. But they only buy:

• Original songs
• Well-structured songs
• Songs with market potential
• Songs with clear ownership
• Songs presented professionally

You can sell by transferring full rights, selling partial rights, licensing the song, or using the song to get signed. Your success depends on how you package your music, how you approach the label, how you negotiate, and how you protect your rights.

The music industry is not emotional; it is structured. Once you understand the structure, selling a song becomes easier and more profitable.