Apple Music, one of the most influential streaming platforms in the world, has announced new requirements for all releases uploaded to its platform, with the aim of improving the listener experience. These changes will apply only to new publications, while songs already available will not be affected.
What are the new requirements?
From now on, any song with vocal content uploaded to Apple Music must include lyrics. This applies even if the song only has one or two words sung. The lyrics will be static, unless the artists or their teams register and upload the lyrics through Musixmatch, one of the most popular platforms for synchronizing lyrics in real time.
In addition to the lyrics, it will also be mandatory to include at least one role in three groups of contributors: Composers, Performers and Production & Engineering. This measure seeks to give greater visibility to the collaborators behind each song, recognizing their work in different areas of the creative process.
Examples of roles that need to be specified
Performers: Roles such as lead vocalist, acoustic guitar or drummer.
Composers and Lyricists: Including lyricists, composers and arrangers.
Production & Engineering: Key figures such as producers, recording engineers, mixers and masterers.
Not only will these new guidelines benefit listeners by providing them with more information about the music they enjoy, but they will also allow artists and collaborators to get the recognition they deserve for their contribution to each release.
In Random Sounds, we're committed to keeping you abreast of these changes in distribution platforms, so you can meet all requirements and ensure that your music is always available on major streaming services. If you have any questions about how to comply with the new Apple Music policies, you can review our support article to clarify any questions. And if you need assistance uploading your music, don't hesitate to contact us!
The value of employee recognition
This new step in Apple Music reinforces the importance of each person involved in creating a song. From the artist who performs it to the engineer who masters it, everyone plays a crucial role. It is an opportunity to make visible the work of those who often go unnoticed, and at Random Sounds, we support this approach, ensuring that the credits of your collaborations are always up to date and can receive the corresponding royalties through our service of Royalty splits.
How does this affect previous releases?
It's important to note that these changes don't impact previous releases. However, any new song that is uploaded from now on must comply with these guidelines.
If you're part of the Random Sounds community, we invite you to review the details of your upcoming releases to make sure everything is in order and ready to meet the new Apple Music requirements.
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