Sout Sharq Launches First Egyptian Distribution Platform
With music distribution having undergone multiple transformations throughout the past few decades, today the process has become relatively straightforward, with the majority of artists releasing music independently through services such as Distrokid or CD Baby. While these services provide accessibility for many artists around the globe, artists in the Middle East and North Africa often express their frustration with them, as they tend to offer little customer support within the region, greatly limiting their work there.
Out of the heart of Cairo, a local initiative named Sout Sharq aims to take a new approach to the process of independent distribution. The company’s ethos is one that is locally rooted in Egypt, and one that is more in touch with local players in the music industry. Through their own online distribution service, Sout Sharq offers many of the benefits of the industry giants, allowing users to release their music on all major streaming platforms, with the additional benefits of local financial transactions, customer support from industry professionals, and a deeper understanding of the ins and outs of the MENA music industry.
To better understand the implications of having a regionally specific music distribution service, we spoke to Seif Madih, Founder of Sout Sharq, to hear more about the inner workings of the company.
What made you venture into creating a music distribution platform?
As an artist myself, I’ve been through the process of music distribution many times before. I’ve always faced issues with distribution services myself, and people I’ve spoken to in the industry share my frustrations. I wanted to create a service that is more tailored to artists in Egypt, by addressing the issues that Egyptian artists face, and offering them better support that operates 24/7. I also used to work in distribution with Egyptian artists such as the crew from Maadi Town Mafia and Yonyo from Ra2smal.
How does Sout Sharq differ from other distributors?
I think it offers more freedom than other distributors. For one thing, we don’t delete your data if you don’t renew your subscription. This is a common issue that artists face, and with our subscription model, this won’t be an issue. We also deliver customer service and support to artists that are more attentive and more well-versed with the music industry in our region.