As someone who's been working in the music distribution space, I've seen firsthand how frustrating it can be for independent artists trying to get their music out there. The landscape is cluttered with services that promise the world but often leave artists feeling confused, overcharged, or just feeling like they've been scammed. That's exactly why we built Kinjari. To cut through the nonsense and give artists what they actually need.
The Current State of Music Distribution Is Broken
Let's be honest about what's happening in the music distribution world right now. You've got artists paying annual fees to various services, only to have their music suddenly removed if they forget to renew. There are horror stories of others simply refusing to distribute music after taking payment, with no explanation or refund. And don't get me started on the customer service nightmares... some artists wait weeks just to get a response!
The truth is, most distributors have become too big for their boots. They're treating independent artists like numbers on a spreadsheet rather than real people trying to make a living from their music. When you're paying someone to distribute your music and they just... don't, that's not a service. That's a scam.
What Makes Kinjari Different
We started Kinjari because we believe artists deserve better. Here's what we do differently:
Predictable, Fair Pricing
At $3 per month, you know exactly what you're paying. No surprise renewal fees, no hidden charges for "premium" features that should be standard. Compare that to the annual subscription model where you're locked in for a year where even if something goes wrong, you're stuck anyway.
You Keep Most of Your Money
While other services boast about letting you keep 100% of royalties, they're charging you significantly more upfront, or just begging with upsells. With Kinjari your $3 is all-in. No upsells, just one flat fee and you keep 90% of your royalties. So when you look at our low single monthly cost, you're often better off financially - especially if you're not releasing music constantly.
Real Support When You Need It
We're not hiding behind chatbots or automated responses. When you have a problem, you get help from actual humans who understand the music industry. No waiting weeks for a response, no getting told there's nothing we can do. We respond within 24 hours, often quicker, ensuring you get the solution you need quickly.
What Independent Artists Actually Want
Through our research and conversations with artists, we've learned what really matters:
Transparency - No hidden fees, no surprise charges, no confusing terms
Ownership - You created it, you own it, full stop
Reliable distribution - Your music goes live when you want it to, where you want it to
Fair pricing - Pay for what you use, not what you might use
Human support - Real people who can actually help when things go wrong
These aren't revolutionary concepts, but somehow the industry has forgotten them.
The Music Industry Is Changing
Independent artists now make up nearly 47% of the global recorded music market. That's massive growth, and it shows that artists don't need the traditional gatekeepers anymore. But they do need reliable, honest distribution partners who understand that every release matters, whether you're uploading your first single or your fiftieth album.
The streaming revolution has democratised music creation, but distribution services haven't kept pace with what artists actually need. Too many are still operating like it's 2010. Its time for a modern, flexible approach.
Why We're Confident in Our Approach
We distribute to over 200 stores and platforms, including all the major ones like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music. Your music gets the same global reach as the big players, but without the big player headaches.
Our founder Luke Hebblethwaite said it best: "We built Kinjari to remove the barriers and confusion artists face with traditional distributors. Our mission is to put power back into the hands of musicians, so they can focus on what matters most: making music and connecting with fans".
That's not just marketing speak - it's genuinely how we operate. We're not trying to be the biggest distributor; we're trying to be the best one for independent artists who want a fair deal and reliable service.
The Bottom Line
Music distribution shouldn't be complicated, expensive, or risky. You shouldn't have to worry about your music disappearing because of a missed payment or getting stuck in customer service hell when you need help.
With Kinjari, you get global distribution, keep most of your royalties, and know exactly what you're paying each month. Plus, you're supporting a company that's actually independent and focused on serving independent artists rather than maximising shareholder value.
We're not perfect - no distributor is - but we're honest about what we do and how we do it. In an industry that's often anything but transparent, that's worth something.
Ready to try a different approach to music distribution? We'd love to have you on board.
