Moving your music doesn't erase what it has already earned. Your old distributor still pays you for streams from before your move, often for a few months afterwards. We pay you for streams of your release with us.
What this means
Stores and streaming services report and pay royalties two to six months after the streams happen. So when you switch, money keeps arriving at your old distributor for older streams. That carries on even after your old release is taken down.
Streams of… | Paid by |
Your old release, before it's taken down | Your old distributor |
Your new release with us | Us, The Artist Music Group |
For a short time, both versions are live. You may see earnings for the same song from both distributors. That's expected: each stream is paid through the distributor that delivered the version played.
With us, you keep 100% of the royalties stores pay for your recordings. We take no commission. Only taxes and fees charged by the stores come off. How streaming royalties work
When this applies
You've moved, or plan to move, releases from another distributor to The Artist Platform.
You're wondering why earnings still show up at your old distributor.
You're wondering why earnings haven't appeared with us yet.
What you need before you start
Access to your old distributor's account, with your payout details up to date.
Your identity verified with us. We need it before we can pay you royalties. Identity verification
Your payout details set up in The Artist Platform. We pay by PayPal, in USD.
Step-by-step
Download your royalty statements from your old distributor before you move. You'll want them for your records and for tax.
Keep your old account open after your move, so your last earnings can reach you there.
Check your old distributor's terms on closing accounts and on payouts after you leave. Each distributor has its own rules.
Keep your payout details there valid until the last royalty statement arrives. A payment to an old account can bounce.
Verify your identity with us, so your first earnings with us aren't held up.
Add your payout details with us for the same reason.
Check your royalty statements on both sides over the next few months. That way you can spot anything missing early. Why hasn't my royalty payment arrived?
What happens next
Your first royalty statement with us usually arrives about 2–3 months after your release goes live with us. We pay out once your balance reaches $100. Until then, your earnings roll over to the next statement.
Your old distributor's statements usually get smaller over the few months after your move. That's because stores are finishing their reports on the older streams.
Troubleshooting
Problem | What to do |
I'm still getting earnings from my old distributor | That's normal. Stores pay a few months after the streams, so earnings for older streams still go there. |
I don't see earnings from my new release with us yet | Stores report two to six months after streams. Your first statement with us usually comes about 2–3 months after your release goes live. |
My old distributor closed my account, and I still have a balance there | Contact their support team about it. Your old distributor holds those earnings, so they're the ones who can pay them out. |
I see earnings for the same song from both distributors | That's expected during the overlap. Each version earns through the distributor that delivered it. |
Need help?
Questions about your earnings after a switch? Message us through the chat in The Artist Platform with your artist name and the months you're asking about. We aim to reply within 1 business day.