How To List a Featured Singer on Your Album

Collaborations have become a staple in the music industry, allowing artists to merge their unique sounds and reach wider audiences. If you're planning to release an album and feature other singers, it is crucial to know how to properly list these collaborations. Accurate and clear attribution ensures that all contributors receive the credit they deserve.

One of the key platforms artists use for their music distribution is DistroKids. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of properly listing a featured singer on your album.

Why Proper Attribution Matters

Properly listing featured artists on your album serves several purposes. It gives credit to the collaborators, ensures fans know who contributed to the track, and helps with metadata for digital distribution. This is especially important when pitching to digital streaming platforms (DSPs) such as Spotify or TikTok, SoundOn.

Step-by-Step Guide to Listing a Featured Singer

1. Understand The Role of Metadata

When distributing your music through DistroKids, understanding metadata is crucial. Metadata includes all the information about your track, such as the primary artist, featured artist, album title, genre, and more. This information helps DSPs organize and categorize your music, making it easier for listeners to find.

2. Agree on the Featured Artist’s Credit

Before submitting your track for distribution, make sure you and your featured artist agree on how the credit should appear. Common practices include using “feat.” or “ft.” followed by the featured artist's name. For example, "Song Title (feat. Featured Artist)". Clear agreements help avoid conflicts and misunderstandings post-release.

3. Add The Featured Artist in DistroKids

When uploading your track to DistroKids, there will be specific fields to fill out the track metadata. During this process, you'll come across a section to add the primary artist and any featured artists. Enter the primary artist name in the designated field, and use the additional fields to include the featured artists.

Ensure that you follow the correct format: "Song Title (feat. Featured Artist Name)" for the song title field. This format is widely accepted and understood across various platforms.

4. Adjust the Song Title If Necessary

Depending on the distribution platform’s guidelines, you may need to adjust the song title for consistency. For instance, certain platforms may have a character limit for song titles, so it’s important to ensure the featured artist’s name does not get cut off.

5. Include Featured Artists in Album Credits

Your album liner notes should also include credits for all featured artists. This not only gives them recognition but also adds a professional touch to your album. Fans often appreciate knowing who contributed to their favorite tracks.

Additional Tips for Featuring Artists

• Get Permissions: Always have a written agreement or contract for the collaboration, detailing terms of credit and royalties.
• Promote Collaboratively: Use social media and other promotional tools to jointly promote the song or album. Tagging each other in posts can help reach wider audiences.
• Use Music Distribution Platforms: Platforms like TikTok, SoundOn can help you reach new fans and increase your streams when you feature other artists.

Why Choose SoundOn for Your Music Distribution?

When it comes to music distribution, SoundOn offers a comprehensive platform to help artists build their careers and discover new audiences. By leveraging partnerships with key companies and DSPs, including TikTok and CapCut, SoundOn ensures that your music reaches the right ears.

Sign up as a SoundOn artist today and take advantage of global distribution services that elevate your music career. Don't miss out on the opportunity to get your songs playlisted and expand your fanbase.

Final Thoughts

Listing a featured singer on your album correctly ensures that all contributors get the recognition they deserve, enhancing the professional quality of your release. Proper attribution through platforms like DistroKids and SoundOn paves the way for successful music distribution and promotion.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you'll be well on your way to creating a polished and professional album that highlights the talents of all involved.