Indie artists, this is the Music Distro deep dive that protects your money and your rights. We start by killing the “upload direct to Spotify” myth and map how distributors/aggregators actually work—metadata accuracy, playlist chances, splits, and payouts. Then we go surgical on ISRC (per track/version/video) and UPC (per single/EP/album), because these codes are the plumbing between your music, charts, and cash flow.
Next, we separate the three royalty pipes:
We close with traps to avoid: assuming distribution = publishing admin, metadata typos that break discovery, relying on outdated comparison posts, and inorganic streaming that can get you banned or clawed back.
Grab the Release-Ready Checklist in the show notes to repeat this process for every drop—so no stream, spin, or broadcast goes unclaimed.
Read the companion guide: Music Distro: The Most Helpful Guide to Choosing (and Using) a Music Distribution Company in 2026 — https://beatstorapon.com/blog/ultimate-music-distribution-guide-2026/
Chapters / Timestamps (from transcript)
If you’re still comparing options, see the best platforms to distribute music for free https://beatstorapon.com/blog/the-best-platforms-to-distribute-music-for-free-and-reach-your-fans/
ISRC (per track/version/video) and UPC (per single/EP/album). These aren’t admin—they’re the plumbing between your music, charts, and cash flow. For a deeper explainer (including ISWC/DDEX), read Music metadata: ISRC / ISWC / UPC / DDEX https://beatstorapon.com/blog/music-metadata-isrc-iswc-upc-ddex/
Contracts, rights, and revenue streams—start with the business blueprint for contracts, royalties & revenue https://beatstorapon.com/blog/mastering-the-business-of-hip-hop-your-2025-blueprint-for-contracts-royalties-revenue-streams/ and copyright & contracts essentials for artists https://beatstorapon.com/blog/copyright-contracts-essentials-for-rap-artists-2025-the-ultimate-guide/
We’re building the future—empowering every artist and creator with the tools, beats, and network to share their voice, connect boldly, and leave a mark on the world. 🔗 Visit us at https://beatstorapon.com.
Keep creating. Keep sharing. Keep rising.
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By ChetIndie artists, this is the Music Distro deep dive that protects your money and your rights. We start by killing the “upload direct to Spotify” myth and map how distributors/aggregators actually work—metadata accuracy, playlist chances, splits, and payouts. Then we go surgical on ISRC (per track/version/video) and UPC (per single/EP/album), because these codes are the plumbing between your music, charts, and cash flow.
Next, we separate the three royalty pipes:
We close with traps to avoid: assuming distribution = publishing admin, metadata typos that break discovery, relying on outdated comparison posts, and inorganic streaming that can get you banned or clawed back.
Grab the Release-Ready Checklist in the show notes to repeat this process for every drop—so no stream, spin, or broadcast goes unclaimed.
Read the companion guide: Music Distro: The Most Helpful Guide to Choosing (and Using) a Music Distribution Company in 2026 — https://beatstorapon.com/blog/ultimate-music-distribution-guide-2026/
Chapters / Timestamps (from transcript)
If you’re still comparing options, see the best platforms to distribute music for free https://beatstorapon.com/blog/the-best-platforms-to-distribute-music-for-free-and-reach-your-fans/
ISRC (per track/version/video) and UPC (per single/EP/album). These aren’t admin—they’re the plumbing between your music, charts, and cash flow. For a deeper explainer (including ISWC/DDEX), read Music metadata: ISRC / ISWC / UPC / DDEX https://beatstorapon.com/blog/music-metadata-isrc-iswc-upc-ddex/
Contracts, rights, and revenue streams—start with the business blueprint for contracts, royalties & revenue https://beatstorapon.com/blog/mastering-the-business-of-hip-hop-your-2025-blueprint-for-contracts-royalties-revenue-streams/ and copyright & contracts essentials for artists https://beatstorapon.com/blog/copyright-contracts-essentials-for-rap-artists-2025-the-ultimate-guide/
We’re building the future—empowering every artist and creator with the tools, beats, and network to share their voice, connect boldly, and leave a mark on the world. 🔗 Visit us at https://beatstorapon.com.
Keep creating. Keep sharing. Keep rising.