Global independent music publisher Kobalt has announced a new publishing partnership with India-based Madverse Music Group, marking a significant step in expanding the global reach of Indian and South Asian independent music. The partnership brings together Kobalt’s international publishing network and Madverse’s fast-growing creator ecosystem.
Madverse Music Group operates as a technology-driven music distribution, publishing and marketing platform. It currently supports more than 150,000 independent artists and labels across India and South Asia, making it one of the largest creator-focused platforms in the region’s music industry.
Through this agreement, Kobalt will provide global publishing administration services to Madverse’s network of songwriters, composers and producers. These services include royalty collection across international markets, improved accuracy in music data management and access to global sync licensing opportunities.
The partnership is positioned as a response to long-standing challenges faced by Indian independent musicians, particularly in tracking and collecting publishing royalties from overseas markets where their music is streamed, performed or licensed.
Global Publishing Access
Kobalt’s publishing infrastructure covers more than 180 territories worldwide. By integrating Madverse creators into this system, the collaboration is expected to ensure that royalties generated outside India are properly identified, collected and paid in a timely manner.
Industry observers note that while digital streaming has made Indian music more accessible globally, the supporting publishing systems have often lagged behind. As a result, many independent artists have struggled to monetise their work fully beyond domestic platforms.
Madverse has built its platform around the idea of creator ownership, allowing artists to retain rights to their music while receiving operational and marketing support. The partnership with Kobalt is expected to strengthen this model by adding a global layer of rights administration.
The collaboration also aims to open up more international sync opportunities, including placements in films, television, advertising and digital content, areas where structured publishing support plays a critical role.
Industry Perspective
Kobalt has steadily expanded its presence in the Asia-Pacific region, focusing on independent creators rather than traditional label-led models. The partnership with Madverse aligns with this strategy, reflecting growing international interest in music emerging from India and South Asia.
Madverse leadership has highlighted that publishing income often forms a long-term revenue stream for musicians, continuing years after a song’s release. Improving access to this income is seen as essential for building sustainable careers in the independent music space.
From Kobalt’s perspective, Madverse is viewed as a platform with strong local insight and scale. Combining regional reach with global infrastructure is expected to benefit both companies as well as the creators they support.
The agreement allows artists on the Madverse platform to retain full ownership and creative control of their work, while benefiting from greater transparency and efficiency in royalty management.
Broader Impact
The partnership comes at a time when India’s independent music sector is seeing rapid growth, driven by digital platforms, regional language content and increased global consumption. However, monetisation beyond streaming remains a key challenge.
By addressing gaps in publishing administration, the Kobalt-Madverse partnership could help set a precedent for how Indian creator platforms work with global music companies. It also reflects a broader shift towards more equitable systems for independent artists.
As Indian and South Asian music continues to find audiences worldwide, such collaborations are likely to play an important role in ensuring creators are fairly compensated. The partnership signals increasing confidence in the global potential of the region’s independent music economy.
