South Africa’s music-tech company JO:LA Labs has launched Roster, a platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI) that it describes as an end-to-end music business operating system for artists and managers.
The company’s pitch is: “No spreadsheets. No juggling apps. No guessing. Just ask.”
The service uses a conversational AI interface to support releases, royalties, publishing, distribution, touring, marketing, customer relationship management (CRM), contracts and finances. It is also aimed at independent labels and publishers.
“It starts in Africa, because the founder is African and the market needs it most, but it’s designed for emerging markets globally and to be competitive in Western markets too,” the Roster website’s FAQ states.
The founder is Thabiso Khati, a label and live-events executive who has worked at Universal Music Group (UMG) Africa and Gallo Record Company, and has managed prominent artists in the Amapiano scene.
Roster is being tested by 50 artists, managers and independent labels in South Africa and other African countries.
The platform runs on a freemium model with a free plan and four paid tiers based on required usage. Pricing starts at 299 South African rand a month ($18.64 at current exchange rates) for a single manager with one artist, rising to 1,899 rand a month ($87.78) for management companies using it for up to 30 artists.
