Artist and Contributor Roles
Why Specifying Roles Matters
Specifying artist and contributor roles is essential for complying with music distribution platforms' requirements. Platforms like Spotify and Apple Music (iTunes) require accurate role attribution to ensure proper crediting and metadata organization. Spotify closely monitors the inclusion of contributor roles. Apple Music (iTunes) requires both artist and contributor roles to be specified.
Always include contributor roles, and if you plan to distribute your release on Apple Music or iTunes, make sure to specify artist roles as well.
Key Considerations
When creating your release, understand the difference between two types of participants:
Primary Artist(s): The main performer(s) credited as the artist on music platforms. The release will be added to their catalog/profile. Use their stage name or real name if it doubles as their stage name.
Contributors: Individuals involved in the creation of the release who are not primary artists. They will not be listed as performers, and the release will not appear in their catalogs/profiles. For certain contributors like composers, lyricists, and arrangers, you must provide their full legal names without abbreviations. For others, you can use stage names or real names.
How to Specify Roles
In the release editor, under the "Primary Artist(s)" and "Contributors" sections, use the "Add Artist" and "Add Contributor" buttons respectively.
Enter the participant's name and select their role. To edit names or roles later, click the "+" symbol next to the selected role.
Please Note:
- Only one participant should be entered per field.
- Each release must have at least one contributor with the role of Composer.
- As per Apple Music (iTunes) requirements, starting November 1, 2024, each release must include at least one contributor from the Production & Engineering category to be eligible for delivery to their platform. Roles in this category are listed below.
Performer Roles
Below is a comprehensive list of artist roles available for selection. Please review them carefully to ensure accurate attribution.
- Accordion
- Background Vocals
- Banjo
- Bass Guitar
- Bassoon
- Bells
- Cello
- Choir
- Clarinet
- Conductor
- Drums
- Ensemble
- Fiddle
- Flute
- Horn.
- Guitar
- Harmonica
- Harp
- Keyboards
- Lute
- Metallophone
- Mixed Artist
- Oboe
- Orchestra
- Organ
- Percussion
- Piano
- Programming
- Rap
- Recorder
- Remixer
- Sampled Artist
- Saxophone
- Synthesizer
- Tambourine
- Trombone
- Trumpet
- Viola
- Violin
- Vocals
- Whistle
- Xylophone
Contributor Roles
Contributor roles are divided into two main categories: Production & Engineering and Composition & Lyrics. Each track must include at least one contributor from the Production & Engineering category.
Production & Engineering Roles
- Assistant Engineer
- Co-Producer
- Graphic Designer
- Mastering Engineer
- Mixing Engineer
- Producer
- Recording Engineer
Composition & Lyrics Roles
- Adapter
- Arranger
- Composer
- Lyricist
- Songwriter