What's the main difference between ORB and AWAL?

AWAL takes a commission (around 15%) of your royalties and is application-based, so not every artist is accepted. ORB is open to everyone and lets you keep 100% of your royalties on paid plans for a small flat fee — so you keep more of what you earn and don't have to be approved first.

Can any artist join AWAL?

No. AWAL is selective and application or invite based, so many independent artists are turned down. ORB is open to every artist — you can start free and release today.

Does AWAL pay in local African currency?

No. AWAL pays in foreign currency, so African artists lose money converting. ORB pays directly in Naira, Cedis, Rand, Shillings, CFA Francs and 30+ other currencies to your local bank or mobile money.

Will I keep more money with ORB or AWAL?

For most artists, ORB. AWAL keeps ~15% of everything you earn for the life of the deal, while ORB takes 0% on paid plans for a flat ~$3/month. Unless AWAL's marketing services are driving significant extra revenue, keeping 100% with ORB nets you more.

ORB Entertainment vs AWAL

AWAL is a selective, application-based distributor that takes a cut of your royalties instead of a flat fee. For most independent African artists, an open platform that lets you keep 100% changes the math entirely. Here's an honest breakdown.

ORB Starter — Free: 1 release, distribution to 150+ platforms, 100% royalties

ORB Artist — ₦5,000/month (~$3): Unlimited releases, 100% royalties, smart links, analytics, promo assets, YouTube monetization, Spotify for Artists verification

ORB Label & Team — ₦8,000/month (~$5): Everything in Artist + unlimited roster artists, royalty splits, team collaboration

AWAL AWAL — Revenue share (~15%): No upfront fee; AWAL keeps a percentage of your royalties

AWAL Access — Application / invite based: Selective acceptance — not open to all artists

Who can join: ORB — Open to every artist; AWAL — Application / invite only

Pricing model: ORB — Free or flat ~$3/month; AWAL — Takes ~15% of your royalties

Royalty cut: ORB — 0% — keep 100%; AWAL — ~15% commission on earnings

Pay in local currency: ORB — ✓ Naira, Cedis, Rand, KES, CFA + 30 more; AWAL — ✗ Foreign currency

Get paid in local currency: ORB — ✓ Direct to local bank / mobile money; AWAL — ✗ Foreign currency — conversion fees apply

Boomplay & Audiomack delivery: ORB — ✓ First-class platforms; AWAL — ✓ Included

Marketing & playlist support: ORB — Included tools + Africa focus; AWAL — ✓ Strong for accepted artists

Smart pre-save & release links: ORB — ✓ Included on Artist plan; AWAL — ✓ Included

Free catalog transfer in: ORB — ✓ Done for you; AWAL — ✗ Tied to contract terms

Never blocked from releasing: ORB — ✓ Submit on credit, pay later; AWAL — ✗ N/A

Support in your timezone: ORB — ✓ Africa-based team; AWAL — ✗ Mostly UK/US-based

Get paid in your local currency: ORB pays royalties directly in Naira, Cedis, Rand, Shillings, CFA Francs and 30+ African currencies — no USD conversion fees, no waiting on PayPal exchange rates. Withdraw to your local bank or mobile money the same day.

Pay in your local currency: Subscribe in your own currency through Paystack or Flutterwave. No need for an international card, no failed transactions because of FX limits.

Built for African artists: Boomplay and Audiomack are first-class platforms. Afrobeats, Amapiano, Bongo Flava, Mbalax, Coupé-Décalé, Highlife, Kwaito — ORB understands the genres, the markets, and the artists.

Never blocked from releasing: If you run out of track credits on a paid plan, you can keep submitting. The cost is added to your next bill. Your creative flow never stops because of billing — something no other distributor offers.

AWAL is a strong option for artists with traction who get accepted and want hands-on marketing — if you don't mind giving up ~15% of your royalties. For the vast majority of independent African artists, ORB's open access, keep-100% model, and local-currency payouts put far more money in your pocket.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the main difference between ORB and AWAL?: AWAL takes a commission (around 15%) of your royalties and is application-based, so not every artist is accepted. ORB is open to everyone and lets you keep 100% of your royalties on paid plans for a small flat fee — so you keep more of what you earn and don't have to be approved first.
Can any artist join AWAL?: No. AWAL is selective and application or invite based, so many independent artists are turned down. ORB is open to every artist — you can start free and release today.
Does AWAL pay in local African currency?: No. AWAL pays in foreign currency, so African artists lose money converting. ORB pays directly in Naira, Cedis, Rand, Shillings, CFA Francs and 30+ other currencies to your local bank or mobile money.
Will I keep more money with ORB or AWAL?: For most artists, ORB. AWAL keeps ~15% of everything you earn for the life of the deal, while ORB takes 0% on paid plans for a flat ~$3/month. Unless AWAL's marketing services are driving significant extra revenue, keeping 100% with ORB nets you more.