Why This Matters
Stores scan uploads with audio-recognition technology. If your release contains material you have not cleared, it can be paused in Quality Control, rejected, or taken down after going live. Getting the rights sorted first protects your release and your royalties.
Samples
A sample uses a portion of an existing recording. To release it legally you must clear two sets of rights:
- The master, from whoever owns the original recording (usually a label).
- The publishing, from the songwriter or publisher of the sampled composition.
Clearance often involves an upfront fee, a royalty share, or both. Keep written proof.
Interpolations
An interpolation re-records part of an existing song rather than using the original audio. There is no master to clear, but you still must clear the publishing, because the melody or lyrics belong to the original writer. See What Is an Interpolation?
Leased or Purchased Beats
If you recorded over a beat you bought or leased from a producer:
- Read your licence. A lease often limits streams, sales, or exclusivity, while an exclusive or buyout gives you broader rights.
- Make sure the licence permits commercial distribution to stores.
- Credit the producer correctly in your metadata.
- Keep the agreement and receipt in case rights are ever questioned. Many beat leases are non-exclusive, meaning the same beat may appear on other songs.
If You Cannot Clear It
Do not release uncleared material and hope it slips through. Undisclosed samples are the most common reason releases are paused for a content match. See My Release Was Paused for an Audio Fingerprint / Content Match.