An exclusive 101 Part Time Jobs podcast recording with BRIT, Ivor Novello and Mercury Prize nominated Kojey Radical is now available.
The recording formed part of PRS for Music’s new Livelihood campaign, which focuses on the urgent need for better education around live performance royalties.
Radical spoke openly about the gaps in knowledge that many emerging artists still face. His comments highlighted how easily performers can miss out on significant earnings simply because they do not understand how live royalty systems work.
PRS for Music has paid out more than £80 million in live royalties this year. The figure shows how essential this income has become for artists trying to build sustainable careers. It also demonstrates how reliable payments from live shows can support continued creativity, particularly for performers who are not yet earning money from other parts of the industry.
The recording took place at 93 Feet East in Shoreditch. The room included PRS members, industry figures, record labels and artist managers.
Radical spoke about receiving his first PRS royalty cheque and learning how the system supported him in the early stages of his career. He reflected on how understanding royalties helped him navigate an industry that can often feel overwhelming for new creators.
Kojey Radical said: “You could go for years without knowing you could earn a penny from PRS. It kept me afloat during times where there wasn’t any money coming in from music. It’s almost like silent money.”
Live royalties depend on a chain of connected actions. These include writing the lyrics and melody, performing the song on stage, licensing the venue, submitting setlists, and distributing payments to creators.
Each part of the process matters because every link plays a role in supporting the songwriters behind the music.
You can listen to this episode of the 101 Part Time Jobs podcast hosted by Giles Bidder via Apple Podcasts or watch on Spotify.
