When most people think of the music industry, they imagine gigs, streaming, and vinyl records. But behind every track you love, there’s a quieter, more mysterious part of the business that makes sure songwriters get paid, their music finds new audiences, and opportunities pop up in surprising places. That’s music publishing.

This piece started life as a long social media post some time ago. I’ve decided to refresh it and bring it onto the NuNorthern Soul blog because the themes keep coming up in conversations I’ve had both online and in real life. It’s grown out of exchanges with friends, fellow DJs, music lovers, and curious souls asking questions about my approach and experiences. These are entirely my own personal thoughts and feelings—there’s no right or wrong here.

Roots Artefact rooted in the rich heritage of reggae and sound system culture.