ASCAP vs BMI vs SESAC

What performing rights organizations are, which one to join, and how to start collecting.

What Is a PRO?

A Performing Rights Organization (PRO) monitors where your music is publicly performed — on the radio, in stores, on TV, in streaming services — and collects performance royalties on your behalf. In the US, the three main PROs are ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC.

You can only be a member of one PRO at a time. Choosing the right one matters, but the differences are less dramatic than many people think. The most important thing is to actually join one.

ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers)

• Membership fee: One-time $50 fee for songwriters
• Structure: Member-owned, non-profit. Members elect the board.
• Royalty distribution: Quarterly payments. Known for strong performance in digital distribution.
• Known for: Being the oldest and one of the most artist-friendly organizations. Many hip-hop artists choose ASCAP.

BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.)

• Membership fee: Free for songwriters
• Structure: Privately owned by broadcasters, but operates on behalf of songwriters
• Royalty distribution: Quarterly payments. BMI has one of the largest repertoires of any PRO.
• Known for: Large catalog of country, hip-hop, and R&B artists. Free to join makes it a popular entry point.

SESAC

• Membership: Invitation only
• Structure: Privately owned. More selective but known for stronger individual attention.
• Royalty distribution: More frequent payments. Known for higher payouts to certain genres.
• Known for: Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond, Adele. Smaller but more curated roster.

Which Should You Choose?

For most independent hip-hop artists just starting out, it comes down to ASCAP or BMI. Here's a simple way to think about it:

• Join BMI if you want to start for free and have immediate access without any upfront cost
• Join ASCAP if you prefer a member-owned structure and the $50 one-time fee isn't a barrier

Both pay comparable royalties for most artists. The performance data collection and payout formulas differ slightly, but the real-world difference for an independent artist is minimal. Pick one, register your songs, and focus on your music.

How to Collect

Once you're a member, you need to register each song you release with your PRO. Include the title, co-writers, publishers, and your IDs. Miss this step and you won't receive performance royalties even when the song is played.

Also register with the MLC (Mechanical Licensing Collective) at themlc.com to collect US mechanical royalties from streaming. This is separate from your PRO membership.

Key Takeaways

• PROs collect performance royalties when your music is played publicly
• ASCAP costs $50 to join; BMI is free; SESAC is invitation-only
• You can only be a member of one PRO at a time
• Register every song with your PRO after release to collect royalties
• Also register with the MLC separately to collect US streaming mechanical royalties

Glossary

PRO (Performing Rights Organization)

An organization that licenses the public performance of musical compositions and distributes royalties to songwriters and publishers.

Performance Royalty

Money paid to songwriters and publishers when their compositions are played publicly — on radio, TV, streaming services, or in venues.

Repertoire

The catalog of songs registered with a PRO for licensing and royalty collection.

IPI Number

An international identification number assigned to songwriters and publishers by their PRO, used to track royalty payments globally.