Leading independent automated digital music distributor TuneCore, a division of global digital music company Paris-based Believe, has reached the record-breaking milestone of $2.5 Billion paid to artists (since the company’s inception in 2006). The announcement was made today by Andreea Gleeson, Chief Executive Officer, TuneCore (pictured).
The massive number comes by way of downloads and streams on partner platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, and Tidal. To date, the company’s artists have achieved a whopping 500 billion streams and incredibly 700 million downloads. Currently, amongst genres, all time artist earnings are led by hip-hop, followed by pop, alternative, electronic and rock. Children’s music is also a high earner, led by the universally beloved children’s anthem, “Baby Shark.”
Besides digital music distribution, TuneCore also offers additional ways for artists to earn money including music publishing administration and YouTube Content ID, both areas that have grown by double digits over the course of the last year. Also in 2021, the company expanded its global footprint and now has operations in 16 countries across 5 continents, with the TuneCore website localized into 16 languages and supporting 7 currencies.
“TuneCore’s mission is to support self-releasing independent artists and provide them with the tools to grow their careers independently.”
– Andreea Gleeson, TuneCore
As a result of the emphasis on international growth, TuneCore’s creators outside the US have grown to represent 60% of its new artists and labels. The company’s support of independent artists around the world is bolstered by its cutting edge technology and inspired music industry partnerships, including “YouTube Shorts,” Facebook’s “Independent Artist Program,” Tidal’s “Direct Artist Payments” and Twitch’s “The Collective” as well as the launch of distribution to Peloton and Qobuz.
Said Gleeson, “TuneCore’s mission is to support self-releasing independent artists and provide them with the tools to grow their careers independently. We want music creators to know that TuneCore is where you go to make money and by announcing our artists have earned $2.5 billion, we’re showing receipts. While TuneCore is truly proud of reaching this immense milestone, all credit goes to our incredible artists.”
In one of the most innovative initiatives of 2021, TuneCore launched a groundbreaking new service called Social Platforms which allows artists to upload their music – for no upfront cost – directly into the music libraries of social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Facebook and Instagram stories and Reels.
