How to Register a Song with a Featured Artist on CAPASSO

If you're a musician or songwriter in South Africa, registering your songs properly with CAPASSO is essential to collect your mechanical royalties. But what happens when your track features another artist or co-writer?

In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to register a song with a featured artist on the CAPASSO portal — with screenshots (if you're watching the video) and clear instructions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwIypjU7QvM

Step 1: Log in to the CAPASSO Portal

Visit portal.capasso.co.za and log in to your account. If you haven’t registered yet, check out my earlier tutorial on how to get set up on the platform.

Step 2: Start a New Work Registration

Once you’re logged in, click on “Add a Musical Work.” This opens up a form where you can enter all your track details:

• Title (e.g., No Love)

• Version Type – Select Original Work

• Music Type – Leave as General Usage

• Transaction Type – Select Mechanical Right

• Category – Choose Domestic or International

• Territory – South Africa or World (note: territory and category must match)

Step 3: Add Writers – Including the Featured Artist

Now it’s time to add yourself and any co-writers or featured artists:

1. Search for your name and select the correct entry (look for Direct Writer).

2. Select your role (Composer, Author, Lyricist, or both).

3. Set your royalty share percentages (mechanical, performance, etc.).

4. Add your affiliated PRO (e.g., SAMRO) and tick CAPASSO for mechanical rights.

If your collaborator doesn’t appear in the search, you can click “Add New” and manually input their details. CAPASSO will assign them a temporary No-IPI profile, which they can later update.

Step 4: Fill in Recording Details

After your writers are set, head to the Recordings section:

• Enter the Recording Title

• Add Duration (e.g., 2 minutes 30 seconds)

• Specify the Language (e.g., English)

• Choose your Publisher/Label if applicable

• (Optional) Add your IPI number and release date

• 
  

⚠️ Common Errors & Fixes

CAPASSO’s portal is... particular.

You might encounter errors like:

"At least one writer must be a composer or composer-author."

In that case, you may need to adjust your role or that of your co-writer (e.g., change from lyricist to composer-author) even if it doesn’t perfectly match your contribution — just to get the system to accept your submission.

Also, double-check that:

• All required fields are completed (marked with a star)

• Total copyright shares add up to 100%

• Your roles and territories match your selected categories

Final Step: Submit!

Scroll down, check the disclaimer box, and hit Save. If everything checks out, your song is successfully submitted for registration!

📌 Pro Tips

• Always search for “Direct Writer” entries when adding collaborators

• Use World as your territory if you plan to release internationally

• Keep track of all IPI numbers and metadata for better linking

• Be ready to tweak roles for system compliance

Got Questions?

Drop a comment on the video or reply to this blog — I’d love to hear from you and help you navigate the music business like a pro.