The Zillabrandtz Submission Checklist: How to Prep Your Files for 100% Acceptance Rate

Why Your Submission Prep Matters for Kenyan Artists

For independent artists in Kenya looking to tap into the massive Tanzanian market, the technical hurdle of music distribution is often the biggest bottleneck. You have the hit, the fans are waiting in Dar es Salaam and Nairobi, and you’re ready to "send us your song"—but then comes the dreaded rejection email.

Most rejections from major Digital Service Providers (DSPs) like Boomplay, Mdundo, and Spotify aren't about the quality of your music; they are about the quality of your data. At Zillabrandtz, we act as the bridge between your creative output and the global ear. Because we are based in Tanzania and serve the wider East African region, we understand the specific compliance needs of our local artists.

If you are a Kenyan artist or label manager, your goal is to get your music onto the platforms where your audience lives. Whether it's a Bongo Flava-inspired track or a live recording from a gig in Westlands, your files must meet international standards before they can be distributed. This guide provides the exact technical specifications required to ensure your upload is accepted the first time.

1. Audio Specifications: No More MP3s

The first thing our ingestion team at Zillabrandtz looks at is the audio file format. While MP3s are great for sharing via WhatsApp, they are strictly forbidden for professional distribution.

The Standard Requirements:

• Format: WAV (Lossless)

• Sample Rate: 44.1 kHz (minimum)

• Bit Depth: 16-bit (minimum)

• Channels: Stereo (Do not submit mono tracks)

Pro Tip for Kenyan Producers: If you are exporting from FL Studio or Logic Pro, ensure you are not "clipping" the master bus. If your audio is distorted, it may be flagged during the quality control phase. High-quality live show recordings are welcome, but they must be professionally mixed to these same standards to be eligible for our premium distribution tiers.

When you use the Zillabrandtz Send us your song feature, our system checks these headers automatically. Submitting the right file type ensures your music sounds crisp on high-end speakers and mobile devices alike.

2. Visual Compliance: The 3000px Rule

The "Cover Art" is the face of your brand. Regional platforms like Mdundo and Boomplay have become increasingly strict about what can appear on an album cover.

The No-Go List for Artwork:

• No Social Media Handles: Do not put @YourName or Twitter/Instagram logos on the art.

• No Contact Info: Phone numbers for bookings will lead to immediate rejection.

• No URLs: Links to websites are not allowed.

• No Pricing: "Only 10 KES" or "Free Download" text is forbidden.

The Formatting Checklist:

• Dimensions: Minimum 3000 x 3000 pixels (Perfect Square).

• Format: JPG, PNG, or GIF (non-animated).

• Color Space: RGB (not CMYK).

• Consistency: The artist name and song title on the artwork must match the metadata you type into the submission form. If the art says "The King" but your metadata says "King Kenya," the release will be flagged.

Zillabrandtz focuses on professional presentation. A clean, high-resolution image signals to editors at major platforms that you are a serious professional, increasing your chances of being featured on curated playlists.

3. Metadata Mastery: Getting the Names Right

Metadata is the "DNA" of your song. It’s how the system knows who to pay and which fans to recommend the music to. This is where most errors occur, especially regarding "Featured Artists" and "Primary Artists."

How to Format Your Titles:

• Primary Artist: This is you. Ensure the spelling matches your previous releases exactly.

• Featured Artist: Do not include these in the song title field. Use the specific "Featured Artist" field in the Zillabrandtz portal. (e.g., Title: "Nairobi Nights"; Artist: Artist A feat. Artist B).

• Capitalization: Use Title Case (Nairobi Nights), not all caps (NAIROBI NIGHTS) or all lowercase.

A Note for Kenyan Labels and Managers:

If you are managing a catalog of multiple artists, consistency is king. Use a single "Label Name" for all releases to ensure your catalog is grouped correctly on the back end. This makes tracking your royalties via our platform significantly easier.

If you are releasing a cover song, remember that you must have the mechanical licenses in place. At Zillabrandtz, we can guide you through the compliance for covers to ensure you don't face copyright strikes.

4. Pricing and Workflow: Moving from Studio to Store

For Kenyan artists, distributing to Tanzania and beyond is an investment. We believe in transparent pricing without hidden commission traps.

While some global distributors require a US or European bank account, Zillabrandtz is built for the East African ecosystem. We understand that our Kenyan clients prefer using mobile money or local bank transfers.

Starting Your Release:

1. Select Your Tier: We offer options for single releases, EPs, and full albums.

2. Upload Your Files: Use the checklist above to ensure your WAV and 3000px JPG are ready.

3. Submit for Review: Our team performs a manual check within 24–48 hours.

4. Go Live: Once approved, your music is delivered to global and regional stores simultaneously.

By choosing a regional specialist like Zillabrandtz, you aren't just getting a software platform; you are getting a partner who understands why a release needs to be on Boomplay and Mdundo just as much as it needs to be on Spotify.

Ready to take your music across borders? Sign up for a Zillabrandtz account today and use our "Send us your song" feature to start your journey. It’s time the rest of the region heard what you’ve been working on.

About Zillabrandtz

Zillabrandtz is an online music promotion and distribution platform dedicated to promoting and distributing music from Tanzania and the East African region. We help local artists share new releases, live show recordings, and full albums with a global audience. Serving both music lovers and creators, we provide a streamlined, reliable way to spread songs across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and DR Congo. Our core strength lies in bridging the gap between local talent and international digital storefronts through localized support and payment accessibility.