The Complete Music Metadata Checklist for Releasing on DistroKid
Ensure your royalties are tracked, your credits are accurate, and your releases go smoothly with this ultimate artist metadata checklist.
In the digital music landscape, metadata is just as important as the music itself. Metadata is the data that describes your music—everything from the track title and artist name to the ISRC codes, songwriter credits, and genre tags. If your metadata is wrong, you do not get paid. It is that simple.
This comprehensive checklist covers everything you need to know before hitting "Submit" on a distributor like DistroKid.
Which Famous Artists Use DistroKid?
Before diving into the technical details, you might be wondering: is DistroKid only for amateurs? Absolutely not. Some of the biggest independent success stories in the world use DistroKid. Major artists like 21 Savage, Ludacris, Will Smith, and countless massive independent electronic and hip-hop acts have utilized DistroKid's infrastructure to bypass traditional label systems and retain 100% of their royalties.
${ctaHtml}The Ultimate Pre-Release Metadata Checklist
Before you upload your WAV file, make sure you have the following information locked down and triple-checked.
1. Primary Artist Names and Formatting
Consistency is key. If your name is "DJ Shadow", do not upload your next track as "D.J. Shadow". Stores treat these as two completely different artists. If you have featured artists, ensure their names are spelled exactly as they appear on their existing Spotify profiles. DistroKid makes it easy to add features, but you must get the spelling right to ensure the track links to their profile.
2. High-Resolution Audio and Artwork
- Audio: Always upload 24-bit, 44.1kHz (or higher) WAV files. Do not upload MP3s. Streaming services transcode your files; transcoding an MP3 results in horrible audio degradation.
- Artwork: 3000 x 3000 pixels, perfectly square, RGB color space, JPG format. Do not include website URLs, social media handles, or pricing on your cover art. Apple Music will reject it immediately.
3. Songwriter Credits and Splits
This is where artists lose the most money. You must list the real legal names of the songwriters, not their stage names. If "Lil Fire" wrote the beat, and his real name is John Smith, the songwriter credit must be John Smith. This is required for publishing royalties to be routed correctly by performance rights organizations (PROs) like ASCAP, BMI, or PRS.
If you are splitting master royalties with producers or vocalists, have their email addresses ready. DistroKid's "Splits" feature allows you to input their email and percentage, and DistroKid will handle all the complex accounting automatically.
4. ISRC and UPC Codes
An ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) is a unique digital fingerprint for your audio track. A UPC (Universal Product Code) is the barcode for your release. You do not need to buy these in advance. DistroKid generates free, valid ISRC and UPC codes for every release automatically.
Automating the Process
If you manage a label or release a massive volume of beats, filling out metadata manually is tedious. Professional tools exist to streamline this. Look into browser extensions that automate repetitive data entry, ensuring you never make a typo on a crucial release.
Conclusion
Releasing music on DistroKid is incredibly fast and user-friendly, but the responsibility of accurate metadata falls entirely on you. Follow this checklist, double-check your spelling, ensure your collaborators are properly credited, and watch your independent royalties roll in without a hitch.
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