No Kidding!

Over at the “this just in desk” is the news of the not-so-new kid on the block gettin’ his stripes: DistroKid is the recipient of a “passive minority investment” via a small startup named Spotify.

Announcing the partnership online, Spotify posted: “For the past five years, DistroKid has served as a go-to service for hundreds of thousands independent artists, helping them deliver their tracks to digital music services around the world, and reaching fans however they choose to consume music. The service has been a trusted and reliable partner to Spotify, which is why they’re a natural choice to enhance the experience for artists using our beta upload feature.”  Spotify promises the integration with DistroKid will commence “in the near future.”

Spotify also promises the start of a beautiful relationship, by way of “Spotify for Artists.”  Though still in beta, the goal is for “seamless distribution of music to other platforms through DistroKid.”  Founded in 2013, DistroKid serves over 250,000 artists, competing with the likes of CD Baby, Ditto, and TuneCore.  The DistroKid promise to artist includes “We’ll get your music into iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon, Google Play, Tidal, iHeartRadio, YouTube, Deezer and 150+ other stores & streaming services.”

DistroKid has received nods as industry players continue to take notice of the momentum.  Notably, Forbes has opined “With the proliferation of music production software like GarageBand and Ableton, the image of a bedroom music maker is an increasingly familiar one. But how can these artists sell their tunes? DistroKid has a solution.”

Endorsements and praise flow in from blogging industry-temperature-takers as well.  Digital Music News hails “DistroKid is best for constant creators,” while the folks at Performer Magazine exclaim “A million-dollar record label for $20 with DistroKid.” TechCrunch cuts to the chase, reminding folks that it its core, DistroKid is “an affordable way to upload music to stores like iTunes.”  DistroKid also reminds its users that they can “Sell their music elsewhere.” (not just the stores to which DistroKid distributes). “You own the rights to your own music.”

Music Business Worldwide reports that Spotify has agreed to fund 50% of pro-rated net revenue generated by directly-distributed artists to the performer/recorded music rights-holder concerned as it’s noted that majors receive a 52% pro-rated net revenue share. This also extends to independent labels via Merlin.  Heady stuff. Still being debated? Word is that signed artists will see just a certain % of that 52% in their royalties.

And to quell the fears of those wary of Big Brother, Spotify did assure media outlets that “DistroKid remains independent” and that Spotify has no rights to see the data from other digital service providers” as “DistroKid will not share confidential information.”

Stay tuned as Distrokid continues to show signs that it’s all grown up!

Leave a Reply

powered by radioinfo.com