Introducing “DistroKid Upstream,” the world’s first matchmaking service that helps artists & labels find each other
By: Philip Kaplan
Tags: Music Business, Distrokid, Record Labels, Spotify, Apple Music

Today I’m excited to announce “DistroKid Upstream.”

Many artists want to stay independent. But some don’t. For artists who are interested in signing with a record label, we’ve built Upstream.

Upstream is a matchmaking service that helps artists looking for labels, and labels looking for artists, to find each other. It’s free, optional, 100% artist-friendly — and there’s nothing else like it in the world.

If you’re an artist and want to meet record labels, you can opt-in here.

https://distrokid.com/upstream

Background:

By most metrics, DistroKid has become the biggest music distributor ever. It blows my mind that one-third of all new music in the world is distributed by DistroKid, from millions of artists.

We’re told by labels — major and indie — that the bulk of new artists they sign use DistroKid. Because of this, labels often ask us for help finding more artists to sign (we haven’t).

At the same time, many artists ask DistroKid for help getting noticed by labels, and to become more well-known.

With demand on both sides, DistroKid decided to make an easy way for everyone who’s interested to connect with each other. This new service is called, “DistroKid Upstream” and is available starting today.

Upstream is more powerful than just a matchmaking service, though. Our goal is to give artists power over record labels — to help artists achieve better, artist-friendlier terms than would otherwise be possible.

In other words, when labels compete….. you win.

As always, DistroKid is committed to being the best, most artist-friendly music service in the world. Upstream has these tenets at its core:

Major and independent. There are a lot of different labels out there. To help interested artists find the right fit, DistroKid is curating a huge roster of labels. This includes the labels you’ve heard of — and vetted indies you haven’t.

There are a lot of different labels out there. To help interested artists find the right fit, DistroKid is curating a huge roster of labels. This includes the labels you’ve heard of — and vetted indies you haven’t. Real, successful labels only. Each label is individually vetted by DistroKid. Before a label is granted access, they must display a proven track-record of success helping artists achieve greatness.

Each label is individually vetted by DistroKid. Before a label is granted access, they must display a proven track-record of success helping artists achieve greatness. No funny business. If you opt-into Upstream as an artist, you’re not giving up any rights or signing anything away. You’re just signaling to labels that you’re available — and privately sharing your Upstream profile with them, which includes links to your music, streaming data, and contact info.

If you opt-into Upstream as an artist, you’re not giving up any rights or signing anything away. You’re just signaling to labels that you’re available — and privately sharing your Upstream profile with them, which includes links to your music, streaming data, and contact info. Clarity & privacy. By default, artists are not opted-into Upstream. So if you prefer being independent and don’t want labels in your business, no action is necessary.

By default, artists are opted-into Upstream. So if you prefer being independent and don’t want labels in your business, no action is necessary. Free for artists. Upstream is 100% free for artists. Record labels pay a small finders fee to DistroKid when they sign someone. Artists don’t pay anything. Any fee the label pays to DistroKid won’t affect artist earnings from the label. And as always, artists receive 100% of earnings from DistroKid.

Upstream is 100% free for artists. Record labels pay a small finders fee to DistroKid when they sign someone. Artists don’t pay anything. Any fee the label pays to DistroKid won’t affect artist earnings from the label. And as always, artists receive 100% of earnings from DistroKid. No middle-man. If a label is interested, they’ll contact you directly and you’ll work with them directly. DistroKid stays out of it (unless you need our help…). So it’s just you and the label(s), no other parties involved.

If a label is interested, they’ll contact you directly and you’ll work with them directly. DistroKid stays out of it (unless you need our help…). So it’s just you and the label(s), no other parties involved. No commitment, leave any time. You can opt-out of Upstream whenever, with the click of a button. Your releases will be unaffected.

You can opt-out of Upstream whenever, with the click of a button. Your releases will be unaffected. Expertise. Today we’re announcing that the mighty Che Pope has joined DistroKid to architect & lead DistroKid Upstream. I’ve gotten to know Che over the years. He’s a visionary with unparalleled experience & insight as an artist, label, and techy. As a producer Che has won Grammys, produced for Lauryn Hill, The Weeknd, Dr. Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent, 150+ films/TV shows & commercials. As a record exec, he was A&R at Warner. Che was COO of Kanye West’s label G.O.O.D. Music — and has way too many other credits to list. Che’s insights when it comes to helping artists get a fair deal are trailblazing.

Che Pope leads DistroKid Upstream

So… is Upstream for you? DistroKid doesn’t promise fame and fortune. And I know a lot of artists want to stay independent without labels (and/or just keep it a hobby). When I built DistroKid, I chose to do it without investors because I understand the value of staying independent.

At the same time, there are artists who want professional assistance with marketing, promotion, playlisting, radio, PR, collabs, touring, merch, awards, advances and other things labels help with (including superstardom, which is far from guaranteed so I’m apprehensive to write, but that’s a thing too).

Either way, there’s no commitment. So feel free to opt-into Upstream to see what labels have to offer. Or don’t. Artists are in control; the choice is yours. And you can always change your mind. But there’s nothing else like this on the planet. So if Upstream is what you need, we hope you love it.

The first label we’re announcing publicly is Republic Records. Republic’s roster includes Drake, Taylor Swift, Post Malone, Lil Wayne (🐐), Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande, John Mellencamp and more.

We’ll announce many more labels soon.

There are hundreds of artists who went from DistroKid to mainstream success (ex: 21 Savage, Arizona Zervas). By the same token, there are many artists who left their labels and became independent on DistroKid (ex: Ludacris, Tom Waits). And tons of artists who make music just for fun, to whom none of this sounds interesting.

Whatever your goals, we love all artists. If you use DistroKid, we’re eternally grateful you’ve entrusted us with your music. We promise to continue launching cool new things for you, all the time.

Thanks for reading!

DistroKid Upstream is free for all DistroKid members and is available today. You can opt-in here:

https://distrokid.com/upstream