Lil Pazo Lunabe believes many Ugandan musicians exaggerate how much money they earn from streaming platforms.
The singer shared his views during a phone interview with Rewind, arguing that platforms such as YouTube and Spotify generate only modest earnings that cannot sustain an artist’s lifestyle in Uganda.
He says that reality explains why he pays little attention to streaming income.
I do not really focus on platforms like YouTube because I do not expect much from them. I have never earned anything substantial from those platforms. The money they generate is very small, which is why I am always surprised when people claim they make a lot from YouTube or Spotify.
Instead of blaming the platforms themselves, Lil Pazo pointed to Uganda’s music consumption habits.
According to him, songs spread quickly through unofficial downloads soon after their release, reducing the number of people who stream or purchase music through official platforms.
One of the biggest challenges is that as soon as a new song is released, DJs and other people quickly download and distribute it. That leaves very few people streaming or buying the music through official platforms.
For that reason, he believes musicians should prioritise reaching audiences over chasing streaming revenue because live performances continue to generate the biggest financial returns.
Musicians should focus on getting their music to the people rather than expecting streaming platforms to make them rich. We need to tell the truth: the real money in Uganda’s music industry comes from events and live performances, not from YouTube or Spotify.
Lil Pazo’s comments add to the ongoing debate over whether streaming platforms can generate meaningful income for Ugandan musicians.
While fellow singer Kalifah AgaNaga believes small streaming earnings can accumulate into a substantial amount with patience, Lil Pazo insists the real money still comes from live performances and events.