Streaming service TIDAL has launched a new feature called Upload, enabling creators and rights-holders to share original audio tracks directly on the platform. This initiative aims to empower independent artists by bypassing traditional distributors and offering direct access to TIDAL’s extensive listener base.
With the Upload feature, users can easily upload tracks, share them via TIDAL’s app and web player, and customize their submissions with cover images and metadata, including title, artist name, and release year. Additionally, creators can monitor listener statistics, giving them valuable insights into their audience engagement.
While the Upload feature presents exciting opportunities for independent artists, it is currently in beta and comes with specific limitations. Each track can be a maximum of 5 GB, and users are allowed to upload a total of 200 tracks. Notably, tracks uploaded through this method do not generate streaming royalties at this stage. Nevertheless, this feature represents a significant step forward for artists seeking greater control over their music distribution.
Spotlight and Contest Incentives Enhance Artist Exposure
TIDAL has also introduced the Spotlight program, which offers artists who utilize Upload the chance for editorial promotion. If an uploaded track is selected for inclusion in a playlist or featured in the app by TIDAL’s Editorial team, the artist will receive a daily payment of $100 for each chosen placement. This incentive not only rewards creativity but also enhances the visibility of artists to a global audience.
In addition, TIDAL is launching the Upload Headliners contest, which runs from November 13 to December 31, 2023. This competition invites US-based artists aged 18 and older to upload original tracks for a chance to win $100,000 to support their creative endeavors. Ten artists will be selected based on the quality of their submissions and their suitability for TIDAL’s playlists.
To participate, artists must link their Cash App accounts to their TIDAL profiles. This integration enables winners to receive their awards seamlessly. Those who uploaded tracks prior to the contest’s start date can still enter by ensuring their existing uploads are set to public.
Empowering Independent Artists in a Competitive Landscape
TIDAL’s initiatives align with its mission to be an “artist-first, fan-centered” platform that prioritizes high-fidelity audio. By introducing the Upload feature and various promotional incentives, TIDAL is extending its support to independent creators who seek direct access to their audience without relying solely on traditional distribution channels.
While the current lack of streaming royalties may limit the monetization aspect for artists, the focus is clearly on offering control, exposure, and creative flexibility. As the music industry continues to evolve, TIDAL’s approach could pave the way for a new model that prioritizes the needs of independent artists in a competitive landscape.
