Music Distribution

As an artist, you can't simply upload your music to Spotify. In order to release your music on Spotify, you'll either have to send your music to a label or you can use a so-called aggregate service. Let's first see why it's a good idea to put your music out on Spotify if you haven't already.

Spotify is a popular online streaming service that can benefit musicians in many ways, including gaining new fans, promoting albums, and making a living off their music. For artists, Spotify offers valuable tools to ensure their music is heard by many. One such tool is the playlist feature, which can help increase traction for your songs and attract the attention of record labels.

One way to get your music on Spotify would be to send your music to record labels. If these labels accept your music they will make sure to release your music on major music stores and streaming platforms. Getting your music accepted by record labels unfortunately isn't a simple task. It can be a long process to get accepted by these labels, especially if you aim for popular labels.

If sending your music to record labels seems intimidating to you, you might choose to upload music through a distributor as this is an easy way to get your music on Spotify. These paid services either let you pay for a fee per month for an account or they have a fee per upload, and let you keep 100% of the royalties once your music is on Spotify. 

You can either distribute music digitally or physically. For physical distribution it’s best to get signed with a record label as they will handle the distribution for you. When use want to distribute your music digitally you can also opt for aggregate services. These services will place your music on major streaming platforms and digital music stores such as Spotify or Beatport.

Music distributors make their money by selling or streaming music. In order to make money the key is to make sure the demand for certain music grows. Additionally you also have distributors who solely work digitally. Aggregators like Distrokid, CDbaby etc. are a good example of this. They normally earn their money from subscriptions.

​In the digital age, music is predominantly distributed through online platforms such as streaming services or digital downloads, with record labels typically handling the distribution process. However, independent distribution has become increasingly accessible through the use of aggregate services. These platforms allow producers to maintain full control over their music while still facilitating distribution. As a result, independent artists can bypass traditional record label structures and retain full royalties for their work.

​You can use two different music distribution services for digital distribution. However, you cannot distribute your music, whether a single track or album, with multiple music distributors simultaneously. For instance, you can have a track distributed through a record label, but you won’t be able to distribute this same track through, for example, an aggregate service. If you want to use a different distributor for your music, you’d need to produce a new track.

Digital music distribution, also known as electronic music distribution, refers to the process of distributing music through digital platforms. This method is similar to physical music distribution, but the music is only available on digital platforms such as streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music, or music stores like Beatport. So, what is digital music distribution? It is the modern way of distributing music to a wider audience through digital means.

You can upload music to Spotify either through a record label or through an aggregate service like Distrokid, Tunecore or CDbaby. A record label will handle all the distribution for you and will take a cut of the royalties earned from streaming. Aggregate services on the other hand will make you pay A yearly fee and let you keep 100% of the royalties yourself.