Some DSPs have very specific requirements regarding writer/contributor/performer credits. In some cases, submissions may be rejected if these requirements are not met. This guide will help you avoid these issues and ensure all desired DSPs accept your submission.
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Please note, this will not affect any tracks that you have already created. Your changes will affect your future releases. |
\uD83D\uDCD8 Instructions
Include all individuals who contributed to the creation of the music and assign an appropriate role. These roles must be defined at the artist level to ensure successful distribution.
When creating a new artist profile, be sure to LabelGrid allows you to set up writers and contributors, which can be assigned to artists within a release.
Follow the steps below to add and customize writer information effectively.
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When creating a new writer/contributor, include the artist's legal name and define an associated songwriter/contributor role - not a pseudonym or artist handle. |
Each track must include a songwriter/composer credit. If these roles are properly defined at the artist level, their songwriter or contributor role will populate a track credited to that artist.
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Songwriting roles & Performance roles
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Songwriting Roles
This is used to note that this person has an active role in writing or composing the music that appears on the recordings. This is different from a performance role. A song-writing role includes writing lyrics, authoring the musical ideas, and composition, which is unrelated to the actual recording or production process.
Can a person have both a song-writing role and a performance role?
Yes, just select all relevant roles on both fields
Music
Major role in writing or composing the music or musical ideas
Lyrics
Major role in writing the words used in the lyrical content, but not how it is presented musically.
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This section defines performance roles as well as studio roles. A performance role includes any person or instrumentalist that can be heard on an album, song, or music video. Studio roles can include a person who did the mastering on the track.
Select all appropriate roles from the dropdown menu for performers and other roles.
Can a person have both a song-writing role and a performance role?
Yes, just select all relevant roles on both fields.
Artist
General category for a person carrying a major performance role.
Producer
Major role in the production of the final recordings.
Vocalist
Major role in singing, speaking, rapping, or vocalizing on the final recordings.
Member
General category for someone who is a resident member of a band, group, duo etc.
Display Credits
For artists' credits, specify the desired artist name in the field below.
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Example 1
Let's say "John Smith" is the lead vocalist on this track.
You may choose to customize how the DSP displays this credit in the following way: "John as lead-singer" or "Johnny on lead-vocals"; or if John performed various roles, you might enter "John: Music, Vocals and Guitar". The format and text you choose is up to you and the performer.
Example 2
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Accessing the Writers and Contributors Section
Navigate to Your Catalog: Go to your LabelGrid dashboard and select Catalog.
Select Writers and Contributors: Click on the Secondary tab, and then select Writers and Contributors from the options.
Adding a New Writer or Contributor
Click Add Writer: On the right-hand side of the Writers and Contributors page, click on the Add Writer button.
Fill Out the Form:
First Name
Middle Name (optional)
Last Name
Email Address
Country
State
City
Address
Zip or Postal Code
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Customizing Display Credits
Here are some examples:
If John Smith is the lead vocalist, you might set his display credit as:
John as Lead Singer
Johnny on Lead Vocals
If John contributed in multiple roles, you can enter:
John: Music, Vocals, and Guitar
For instrument-specific roles, such as using the term “fiddle” instead of “violin”, you may write:
John on the Fiddle
The display text is customizable based on the performer's preferences and their band/group.
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Do not enter display credits unless you have the need to customize how your credits are displayed. |
Performing Rights Organization (PRO) details
If this person is a member of a PRO, be sure to enter their name exactly as it appears in their PRO
registration. It is also a good idea to gather their IPI number so that we have complete details about their PRO registration and can communicate them to DSPs when necessary.
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Entering Aliases
Many songwriters, composers, and performers use aliases or stage names for various purposes. If this person uses aliases, enter them here.
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You can enter that information if the writer or contributor uses an alias or stage name.
This information data is currently only for internal use . We do not send this information only and will not be sent to DSPs. However, but the information it may be useful for publishing administration later.
Important: Do not enter
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aliases
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that do not relate to this specific band, group, or artist
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. For instance, if an alias is completely unrelated to their music career (e.g., pertaining to a different domain), kindly refrain from including it.
Filling in Additional Information
PRO Information:
Enter the Performing Rights Organization (PRO) associated with the writer. Options may include:
ASCAP
BMI
IPI: Fill in the International Performing Identifier (IPI) related to the PRO.
Publisher Information:
Choose the publisher associated with the writer or contributor.
Finalizing the Entry
Once you have filled out all necessary information for the writer or contributor, press the Save button to complete the process.
This instructional guide will help ensure accurate and customized credits for all writers and contributors associated with your releases in LabelGrid.