Empowering Guyanese Artists: Steps to Protect Your Work and Your Future
Empowering Guyanese Artists: Steps to Protect Your Work and Your Future
Written By Kendesi Mohammed
For artists in Guyana, talent alone is not enough. Without proper protections and strategies, creative work can be exploited, leaving artists underpaid or unrecognized. There are practical steps that artists can take to protect their rights, earn fair compensation, and build a lasting career in the creative industry.
1. Understand and Register Your Work
Artists must educate themselves about copyright and intellectual property. Every song, artwork, film, or written piece should be formally registered with the appropriate authority. Registration provides legal proof of ownership, making it easier to enforce rights if someone uses your work without permission.
2. Sign Clear Contracts
Whether working with producers, promoters, recording studios, or media companies, artists should always sign written agreements. Contracts should clearly state each party’s rights, responsibilities, and how profits, royalties, or opportunities are shared. Never rely solely on verbal promises.
3. Collect Royalties and Monitor Usage
Artists should track when and where their work is used. Platforms like radio, television, streaming services, and social media can generate royalties, but only if artists actively manage their rights. Consider joining a collective or performing rights organization to help collect royalties efficiently.
4. Protect Your Digital Content
In the age of online distribution, digital piracy is a major risk. Artists can protect their content by using watermarks, digital rights management tools, and monitoring platforms for unauthorized use. Prompt action against infringement can prevent larger losses over time.
5. Seek Legal Support
Even emerging artists benefit from legal guidance. Lawyers or advisors specializing in intellectual property can help review contracts, negotiate deals, and advise on steps to protect creative works. Free workshops or mentorship programs can also provide valuable legal knowledge.
6. Build a Strong Brand and Network
Artists should focus on building a recognizable brand and connecting with industry professionals. A strong network opens doors to opportunities such as collaborations, paid performances, and media exposure. Being visible and professional makes it harder for others to exploit your work without consequences.
7. Join Artist Associations or Groups
Collective advocacy strengthens individual rights. Artist associations can negotiate fair contracts, provide guidance on royalty collection, and lobby for better industry practices. Being part of a group also creates community support and shared resources for growth.
8. Educate Fans and Media
Artists can use their platform to raise awareness about respecting creative work. Fans and media outlets who understand the value of intellectual property are more likely to support artists through legal channels, paid streams, and legitimate purchases.
9. Keep Learning and Adapting
The creative industry constantly evolves with technology and market trends. Artists should continuously educate themselves about new distribution channels, copyright changes, and business strategies. Staying informed ensures long-term protection and growth.
By taking these steps, Guyanese artists can safeguard their work, maximize earnings, and establish a career that is both respected and sustainable. Talent is the foundation, but knowledge, preparation, and proactive protection are what allow that talent to thrive in the long term.
The Case for a Music Union in Guyana
Guyana Needs a Music Union Now
Guyana’s music scene is growing faster than ever, but the people behind the culture are still working without real protection. Too many artists face unpaid performances, unclear contracts, copyright violations, and no access to streaming royalties. A music union would finally give musicians, producers, and DJs the power to negotiate fair pay, secure their intellectual property, and build sustainable careers. If we truly want Guyana’s music to compete globally, then we must protect the creators at home first.
Protect Guyanese Artists
Behind the hits and performances we love, there are artists struggling in silence. Many Guyanese musicians deal with exploitation, bad contracts, and opportunities that sound good but leave them with nothing. A music union would provide legal guidance, business education, and collective power to ensure artists receive what they deserve. When artists are protected, the entire industry becomes stronger and more respected. We cannot talk about culture without protecting the people who create it.
A Union for a Stronger Music Future
Guyana’s music industry is full of potential, but without structure it cannot grow the way it should. A union would help upcoming artists understand contracts, royalties, publishing, and the business side of music. It would also give creators access to mentorship and training that prevent exploitation. Music is more than performing, it is a profession. If Guyana wants to produce world-class stars, then we must build systems that support them from day one.
The Case for a Music Union in Guyana
Across the world, unions protect creatives, negotiate fair payments, and offer social benefits. Guyana deserves the same. Our artists should not be left to navigate contracts, promoters, and corporate platforms alone. A union would ensure they receive fair treatment, royalties, and recognition for their work. It would also give the industry one strong voice to advocate for better laws, grants, and opportunities that uplift Guyanese music on the global stage. When artists win, the whole country wins.
Unite the Music Industry
A music union is not just about protecting artists. It is about building a powerful, organized industry. With unity, Guyanese musicians can negotiate better deals with venues, promoters, broadcasters, and streaming platforms. A union can also partner with government bodies to push for investments, national music programs, scholarships, and cultural development projects. Guyana has the talent. What we need now is a structure that elevates and protects every creator, from the studio to the stage.