The Essential Music Metadata & Credits Checklist
Ensure your music is ready for distribution and sync licensing with our comprehensive metadata checklist. Don't leave your royalties to chance or lose out on airplay due to missing data.
Why Music Metadata Matters in the UK Industry
Properly formatted metadata is the difference between getting paid and your royalties sitting in a 'black box'. For independent artists in the UK, ensuring your data matches the requirements of platforms and collection societies like PRS for Music and PPL is non-negotiable.
1. Basic Release Information
Use this structure to organise your data before uploading to your distributor or The Musical Road.
- Release Title: Must match the text on your cover art exactly.
- Version Info: (e.g., Radio Edit, Remix, Acoustic). Leave blank for the standard album or single version.
- Primary Artist: The main artist(s) credited on the release.
- Featuring Artists: Artists appearing on the track who are not the primary project owners.
- Genre & Sub-genre: Be specific to help UK playlist curators (e.g., 'UK Garage' or 'Post-Punk' rather than just 'Dance' or 'Rock').
- Release Date: Ensure this aligns with your broader Music Marketing Plan.
2. Technical Identifiers
- ISRC: (International Standard Recording Code) for each individual track. Use our ISRC Validator if you are unsure.
- UPC/EAN: (Universal Product Code) for the entire bundle (the full album or single release).
- BPM: Essential for club DJs and radio programmers.
- Key: (e.g., C Minor) helps curators and DJs mix your track into sets seamlessly.
3. Rights & Credits (The 'Money' Data)
- Songwriters: Use legal names only (avoid stage names here to ensure PRS matching).
- Publishers: The entity owning the composition rights. If you are unsigned, list yourself as 'Copyright Control' or your own publishing entity.
- Split Percentages: These must total 100% for both the lyrics and the music composition.
- PRO Information: Specify your Performing Rights Organisation (e.g., PRS for Music in the UK, or MCPS for mechanicals).
4. Creative & Sync Metadata
- Lyrics: Clean text without time stamps (unless you are providing 'synced lyrics' for Instagram/Spotify).
- Explicit Content Tag: Yes/No. Be accurate to avoid your release being pulled from stores.
- Language: The primary language of the vocals.
Pro Tip: The 'Sync-Ready' Standard
If you want your music featured in UK adverts, film, or TV (like BBC or Channel 4), music supervisors require 'Description Metadata' to find your tracks in their databases:
- Moods: (e.g., Uplifting, Gritty, Atmospheric)
- Instruments: (e.g., Analogue Synth, Fuzz Guitar)
- Vocal Gender: (e.g., Female Vocals, Male Vocals, Instrumental)
Need help launching your next release? Use our Music Press Release Template Generator to turn this metadata into a professional pitch for UK press and radio.
FAQ
- What is the difference between ISRC and UPC?
- An ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) identifies an individual track or recording, while a UPC (Universal Product Code) identifies the entire product, such as a single, EP, or album.
- Do I need a publisher to collect royalties in the UK?
- No, you can register as a self-published writer with PRS for Music, but you must ensure your metadata correctly lists you as the rights holder to receive your performance and mechanical royalties.