What Are Featured Artists Supposed To Do?

Being a featured artist can open up several opportunities for exposure and collaboration in the music industry. However, understanding the roles and responsibilities can sometimes be confusing, especially when working with distribution platforms like DistroKid. So, what exactly are featured artists supposed to do with DistroKid, and what kind of jobs might they undertake?

Understanding the Role of a Featured Artist

A featured artist is someone who collaborates on a track or an album, usually contributing vocals or instrumental parts. This is a collaborative effort where the main artist or band invites another musician to add a unique element to their project. Being featured can enhance an artist’s visibility since they will be introduced to the primary artist’s audience.

DistroKid and Featured Artist Responsibilities

DistroKid is one of the prominent music distribution platforms that allows musicians to upload their songs to various streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and more. For featured artists, working with DistroKid involves several key tasks and responsibilities to ensure proper credit and promotion:

1. Credit and Metadata Management

When a song or album is being uploaded to DistroKid, it’s essential to accurately fill in the metadata. This includes the names of the main and featured artist(s). Proper credit ensures that the featured artist is acknowledged on streaming platforms. This accuracy helps in tracking streams and royalties for both the main and featured artist.

2. Promotion and Social Media

Once the music is available on streaming platforms, the next step is promotion. Featured artists should actively promote their collaboration. This can include posting on social media, sharing on their official website, and engaging with fans. Promoting the collaboration increases the reach of the track and can benefit both parties involved.

3. Handling Royalties

One of the crucial aspects of being a featured artist is the handling of royalties. With DistroKid, setting up automated royalty splits ensures that every contributing artist gets paid fairly. Both the main and featured artists must agree on the splits before the song is published.

4. Collaborating on Marketing Strategies

Effective marketing strategies can significantly enhance the exposure of the track. Featured artists should work with the main artist to plan joint music promotions, interviews, and live shows. This collaboration helps both artists by pooling their resources and fanbases together.

Exploring Opportunities with SoundOn

While DistroKid offers robust distribution services, other platforms like SoundOn also provide unique opportunities for featured artists. SoundOn helps artists build a career and find new fans through TikTok, exclusive partners like CapCut, and global distribution services. By registering with SoundOn, artists can leverage additional marketing tools and resources to maximize their reach.

Core Job Roles for Featured Artists

Beyond distribution and promotion, featured artists can undertake specific jobs to contribute actively to their collaborations. These roles often include:

1. Lyric Writing

Many featured artists contribute by writing lyrics. This collaboration requires a deep understanding of the main artist’s vision and style. Effective lyric writing can add an extra layer of depth and emotion to the track.

2. Vocal and Instrumental Performance

As a featured artist, providing unique vocal or instrumental elements is often a primary responsibility. Ensuring the performance aligns with the track’s style and quality is crucial for a cohesive final product.

3. Artistic Input and Creativity

Bringing a fresh perspective to the collaboration, featured artists should not shy away from sharing their creative input. This can include suggesting changes in melody, rhythm, or even production techniques to enhance the track.

Conclusion

Being a featured artist with platforms like DistroKid involves a blend of creative and logistical tasks. Ensuring proper credit, promoting the collaboration, managing royalties, and collaborating on marketing are all vital aspects. Additionally, exploring opportunities with platforms like SoundOn can further amplify an artist’s reach and success. By embracing these responsibilities, featured artists can make the most out of their collaborations and contribute significantly to the music industry's growth.