1. Welcome to LyFi
This document sets out how to contribute to LyFi — uploading lyrics, writing annotations, and the standards expected of both. If you're new to what LyFi is and why it exists, see the About Us page.
LyFi operates on two simple steps:
Step 1 — Upload
A contributor uploads lyrics for a song not yet available on LyFi, or improves an existing submission.
Step 2 — Annotate
Contributors explain slang, cultural references, wordplay, historical context and other meanings, line by line.
Both stages are equally important. A song cannot be annotated until its lyrics exist, and lyrics become significantly more valuable once the community begins explaining them.
2. Core Principles
Every contribution should uphold these principles.
2.1 Accuracy First
When transcribing lyrics, write what you reasonably believe you heard. LyFi does not expect a single contributor to get every word right on the first attempt — that is what the community is for.
• Do not mark lyric lines as “uncertain” or hedge transcription with bracketed guesses. A page full of uncertainty markers is harder to read and looks unfinished.
• If a word is wrong, another contributor will hear it differently and correct it. Accuracy on LyFi is reached collectively, over time, not by any single upload being perfect.
• This applies to transcribing lyrics. Explaining what a lyric means is a different task with different standards — see Section 6 on handling uncertainty in annotations.
2.2 Respect the Artist
LyFi exists because of artists. Represent their work faithfully without altering lyrics, inserting opinions into annotations, or rewriting history.
2.3 Context Over Judgment
Many African songs discuss politics, conflict, relationships, religion, crime, sex, or social issues. LyFi explains these topics — it does not glorify, condemn, sensationalize, or censor them.
2.4 Build Together
Improve existing work rather than replacing it unnecessarily. Constructive collaboration is more valuable than competition.
2.5 Originality
Contributors must create original submissions. Do not copy annotations, transcriptions, or explanations from other lyric websites, blogs, encyclopedias, or social media.
3. Who Can Contribute
Anyone with a free LyFi account may contribute. Contributors may:
• Upload lyrics.
• Annotate existing lyrics.
• Correct lyrics.
• Correct song metadata.
• Report inaccurate content.
• Participate in discussion threads.
Language Specialists — Mtaalam
Kenya is home to more than 40 vernacular languages, and meaning in Kenyan music often lives in the specific community a slang term, proverb, or turn of phrase comes from. LyFi particularly welcomes contributors with expertise in any of Kenya's vernacular languages, including but not limited to:
• Sheng and Kiswahili (the country's lingua francas)
• Dholuo, Kikuyu, Luhya, Kalenjin, Kamba, Kisii, Maasai, Somali, Turkana, and other community languages
• Any of Kenya's 40-plus vernacular languages not listed above
Contributors with demonstrated fluency or expertise in a specific language may be recognised on LyFi as a Mtaalam (a play on “mtaalamu”, Kiswahili for expert). A contributor's Mtaalam status displays the specific language next to their profile — for example, “Mtaalam: Dholuo” — so readers can see at a glance where a contributor's authority comes from.
LyFi also welcomes specialists in regional music scenes, music production, and African music history more broadly; these may also be displayed on contributor profiles.
Verified Artists
Artists, producers, songwriters, record labels, publishers, and authorized rights holders may apply for Verified Artist status.
Verified Artists:
• receive a verified badge;
• may publish uploads and annotations directly without prior moderation;
• remain subject to post-publication review for compliance with these Guidelines.
4. Contributor Tiers & Reputation
LyFi rewards quality contributions through a transparent points system. Points are awarded only after a contribution has been approved.
Contribution Points
• New lyrics submission — 10
• Annotation — 5
• Lyrics correction — 5
• Metadata correction — 5
LyFi may deduct points for plagiarism, repeated low-quality submissions, abuse of the platform, or violations of these Guidelines.
Tier 1 — Odi (Ordinary)
0–99 points. New contributors begin here. All submissions require moderator approval before publication.
Tier 2 — Gwiji (Expert)
100–499 points. Awarded to contributors who consistently demonstrate quality and accuracy. Privileges include:
• Immediate publication of contributions.
• Post-publication moderation.
• Eligibility for specialist badges.
Tier 3 — Mhenga (Master)
500+ points. Reserved for highly trusted contributors. Privileges include:
• Immediate publication.
• Priority consideration for moderator invitations.
• Recognition as a community mentor or specialist.
Promotion between tiers depends on contribution quality, sustained accuracy, compliance with these Guidelines, and positive moderation history.
5. Uploading Lyrics
Every lyric page begins with a transcription.
Before Uploading
Always:
• search LyFi first;
• upload only publicly released songs;
• transcribe independently from the official recording wherever possible;
• avoid relying purely on memory.
Never upload:
• leaked songs;
• stolen recordings;
• unreleased music;
• copied lyric sheets from other platforms.
Transcription Standards
Lyrics should:
• reflect what you reasonably believe you heard, written plainly and without hedging (see Section 2.1);
• match the performance;
• preserve code-switching;
• preserve Sheng and vernacular spelling;
• include meaningful ad-libs;
• write out repeated lines and ad-libs in full as performed — do not shorten them with shorthand like “x2” or “x3”. A reader should be able to read the lyrics exactly as the song plays, without needing to mentally expand abbreviations;
• identify verses, choruses, bridges, and featured artists.
Metadata
Provide accurate information including:
• song title;
• artist;
• featured artists;
• producer(s);
• songwriter(s), where known;
• album or EP;
• release year.
Existing Songs
If lyrics already exist:
• correct errors instead of creating duplicates;
• submit edits rather than replacing another contributor's work.
Major replacements undergo moderator review.
Version Disputes
Where genuine disagreements arise:
• use the discussion thread;
• support your position with evidence;
• moderators make the final determination.
Copyright
Lyrics remain the intellectual property of the songwriter and rights holder. Uploading a transcription to LyFi does not transfer or licence any rights in the underlying lyrics themselves — a contributor cannot grant rights they do not hold.
Contributors must never:
• upload unauthorized material;
• copy another lyric website's transcription;
• upload lyrics from leaked recordings.
LyFi's licensing arrangements with rights holders, where applicable, are determined separately from contributor obligations and are addressed further in Section 8.
6. Writing Annotations
Annotations explain — not review. Their purpose is to help readers understand lyrics more deeply.
Not every line requires annotation. Sometimes leaving a line unannotated is better than adding unnecessary commentary — an annotation that restates the lyric without adding insight clutters the page rather than improving it.
Good Annotations
A strong annotation:
• explains slang;
• identifies references;
• provides cultural context;
• explains historical events;
• identifies literary devices;
• explains rhyme, flow, or production techniques;
• remains concise.
Most annotations should be between two and four sentences.
Poor Annotations
Avoid:
• repeating the lyric;
• personal reviews;
• speculation;
• gossip;
• promotion;
• unnecessary quotation of lyrics.
Handling Uncertainty
This section concerns the meaning of a lyric, not its transcription (for transcription, see Section 2.1). When the evidence for an interpretation is inconclusive, say so.
Use phrases like:
• “likely refers to…”
• “widely interpreted as…”
• “may reference…”
Avoid presenting interpretations as established facts.
Reliable Sources
Reliable sources include:
• artist interviews;
• verified social media posts;
• album liner notes;
• producer interviews;
• documentaries;
• reputable news organizations;
• academic publications.
The following should not be treated as authoritative evidence:
• anonymous fan theories;
• copied Genius annotations;
• Reddit discussions;
• unverified blogs.
Examples
Poor Annotation
“He's saying he's rich.”
Better Annotation
“The phrase ‘kupiga luku’ is Nairobi Sheng referring to dressing fashionably. The artist uses it to symbolize his transition from hardship to success and now he can afford to dress nicely.”
Sensitive Content
Annotations should remain factual. Do not:
• glorify violence;
• encourage illegal activity;
• sexualize minors;
• provide instructions facilitating harm.
7. AI-Assisted Contributions
Contributors may use AI tools for drafting, proofreading, or improving clarity. However:
• contributors remain fully responsible for accuracy;
• AI-generated hallucinations are unacceptable;
• copied AI output without verification may be rejected;
• plagiarism remains prohibited regardless of whether AI generated it.
Moderators may reject AI-assisted content that fails to meet LyFi standards.
8. Intellectual Property & Contributor Licence
Contributors retain ownership of their original annotations.
By submitting an annotation, contributors grant LyFi a worldwide, non-exclusive licence to:
• host;
• display;
• format;
• archive;
• reproduce;
• distribute;
• adapt formatting where necessary.
This licence exists solely for operating and improving the platform, and applies to the annotation text a contributor writes — not to the underlying lyrics being annotated, which remain the property of the relevant songwriter or rights holder as set out in Section 5.
Contributors warrant that their submitted annotations do not knowingly infringe another person's rights.
9. Submission & Review Process
How to Contribute
• Search first.
• Upload lyrics if necessary.
• Add annotations.
• Include supporting sources where appropriate.
• Submit.
Review
Moderators may:
• approve;
• approve with minor edits;
• request revisions;
• reject with reasons.
Tier 1 contributions enter moderation before publication. Tier 2, Tier 3, and Verified Artist submissions publish immediately but remain reviewable.
Typical review time is three to five days.
Edit History
Every significant edit to lyrics or annotations is recorded. Moderators may restore previous versions where appropriate.
10. Moderation Standards
Moderators are expected to:
• apply these Guidelines consistently;
• remain impartial;
• disclose conflicts of interest;
• explain rejection decisions;
• preserve contributor attribution whenever possible.
Moderators may remove content that is:
• inaccurate;
• plagiarized;
• defamatory;
• abusive;
• unlawful;
• spam.
11. Attribution & Recognition
Published contributions display the contributor's username.
Contributor profiles display:
• accepted uploads;
• accepted annotations;
• earned points;
• tier;
• specialist badges, including Mtaalam language designations;
• Verified Artist status where applicable.
12. Code of Conduct
Contributors are expected to:
• treat others respectfully;
• debate ideas rather than people;
• avoid harassment;
• avoid hate speech;
• avoid discriminatory language;
• avoid spam;
• avoid coordinated manipulation;
• avoid fake accounts;
• avoid repeated low-quality submissions.
Violations may result in:
• removal of content;
• deduction of contribution points;
• loss of publishing privileges;
• suspension;
• permanent account termination.
13. Community Discussions
Discussion threads exist to improve LyFi. Contributors should:
• remain on topic;
• support claims with evidence;
• remain respectful;
• avoid personal attacks;
• avoid repetitive arguments.
Discussions should help resolve uncertainty — not create conflict.
14. Questions & Appeals
If your submission is rejected, you may request a second review.
Appeals should:
• identify the specific decision being challenged;
• provide additional evidence where available;
• be submitted within 30 days.
Where practicable, appeals are reviewed by a different moderator. The outcome of the appeal is final.
15. Revision History
These Guidelines will continue to evolve as the LyFi community grows. Contributors are encouraged to suggest improvements through LyFi's official community channels.
Our Vision
LyFi is more than a lyrics website. It is a collaborative archive of Kenyan and African music, language, and culture.
Every accurate lyric, thoughtful annotation, and respectful discussion helps preserve the richness of Kenyan and African musical heritage for future generations.
Thank you for helping build LyFi.