COV - What drives a musician’s creative heartbeat? This World IP Day, artists from around the globe share what fuels their creativity and innovation to inspire other creators, inventors, and entrepreneurs in the music world. Let their words spark your own creative journey!
“When we create a song, we want to put together the best team. In the same way, we need to put our best efforts towards managing our intellectual property.”
Solange Cesarovna, singer, songwriter, and co-founder of the Cabo Verde Music Society, in a 2025 interview with WIPO Magazine on musicians' rights.
Image: Nuno Antunes“Music provides peace of mind and is the expression of your soul, so for me music is a fundamental right. We artists have our rights – copyright and related rights – and these rights need to be respected by everyone, by consumers as well as the music industry at large.”
Didier Awadi, Senegalese rapper and CLIP Champion in an interview with WIPO Magazine on the future of music in Africa (2015).
Image: Rema Music Festival“Music is my life’s greatest gift, a force that drives me daily. Whether I am creating or performing, I rediscover its magic constantly. Music shapes emotions, inspires change, and brings us closer to our true selves. Every heart has been moved, healed, or awakened by its power. Its presence in our lives is undeniable, its impact unmistakable. For that reason, we must cherish and protect its creators at all costs.”
Alexa Niculae, Romanian singer, songwriter, performer and CLIP Champion.
Image: Alexa Niculae“A rhyme in the rap world is a rhythmic sequence of words that is pleasing to listen to, and it takes practice. We encourage young people to take part in the battles, because even if they don't win, they get a chance to practice, to gain confidence and develop their creativity. We learn freestyle by doing it.”
Edwin Torres told WIPO Magazine in 2023. Torres is the co-founder of Freestyle La 72, a Colombian Youth Foundation, that is using rap freestyle battles to engage and inspire young people to make positive life choices.
Image: Edwin Torres“Today, creators need to be entrepreneurs with a vision of how their work can transcend different forms of entertainment.”
ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus put artists’ interests center stage in a 2020 interview with WIPO Magazine.
Image: WIPO/Berrod“While I know that it is critical not to act to the detriment of the authors who labor to create the great works that enlighten and nourish our minds, hearts and souls, we must develop a protocol that allows the easy import and export of copyright materials so that people with print disabilities can join the mainstream of the literate world.”
Stevie Wonder, American singer-songwriter considered one of the most influential musicians of his time, speaking at the 2010 WIPO Assembly in his capacity as United Nations Messenger for Peace.
Image: WIPO/BerrodWIPO