How we work with artists
Our commitment to artists is based on four cornerstones: equitable partnership, distribution, development, and collaboration.
We’re an equitable partner who pays artists fairly
We’ve raised the bar on traditional payment standards for artists. On average, our artists earn over USD $60,000 per year, with top earners taking home more than USD $200,000. Whether they’re creating full-time or making music on the side, we provide a rewarding and sustainable path to success.
While all artists work with us on a non-exclusive basis, we only work with artists who are unaffiliated with collecting societies, as many societies have exclusive affiliation agreements. Currently we work with artists based in Sweden, the USA, the UK, South Korea, and Japan.
We continuously develop and evolve our compensation model, and in 2024 there are three core pillars:
- Payment for each track commissioned
As of Q1 2024, Epidemic Sound pays a fixed fee of USD $1,500–$8,000 per track. The fee depends on the complexity of the track, customer demand, the role of the artist, and their skillset. The fixed fee is always paid out directly to artists before the track is even made available to content creators — and is not recouped against future royalties. - 50/50 split on all music streaming royalties
We split all royalties we collect from music streaming platforms 50/50 with the artist(s), even if they no longer work with Epidemic Sound. Thanks to the reach of our distribution network via our content creators, many people search and discover artists and tracks they like and then start listening to them on music streaming platforms. - A Soundtrack Bonus for all artists
We pay artists a share of our Soundtrack Bonus, proportional to the popularity of their tracks on the Epidemic Sound platform. For 2024, the bonus stands at SEK 30 million (approximately USD $2.9 million) and it will continue to change as our business grows.
We also offer all active artists the opportunity to participate in Epidemic Sound’s long-term incentive program and take part in value creation as a company.
We provide unique distribution power with unprecedented reach
With YouTube and TikTok videos featuring Epidemic Sound music gaining over 2.5 billion views every day, our artists get a direct route to billions of potential fans through our platform.
We offer visibility among our global network of content creators and brands such as Discovery Networks, Red Bull, Levi’s, Ubisoft, Joshua Mayo, and Cathrin Manning, while crediting artists in the way that they want to be known and encouraging our customers to do the same.
We provide further sync opportunities through partnerships with leading creative platforms such as Adobe, TikTok, and Canva, while maximizing the potential for artists to convert views into active listeners and fans by uploading tracks to all major music streaming platforms.
We support artist development through expert guidance and insights
Our team of talented A&Rs — including Grammy-winning and nominated producers, songwriters, audio engineers, and musicians — work closely with each artist from their initial demos to the final mixes, so our artists’ music is elevated to its full potential.
We also have unrivaled data insight into which music is resonating with viewers and listeners alike, powered by the fact that YouTube videos using our music garner billions of views per day.
We share this knowledge with artists to guide music creation in a way that boosts the chances of finding an audience, while also letting each individual’s artistry shine through.
We enable collaboration through access to a new creative community
We actively encourage our artists to collaborate together, share knowledge and skills, and take the opportunity to learn from the wider roster, which includes the likes of Jordin Sparks as well as many other world-class, Grammy-winning and -nominated musicians, producers, songwriters, and engineers.
We promote connection and development by holding in-person writing and collaboration camps, summits, and seminars, and offer mental health support to all artists. We can also provide unique collaboration opportunities with customers, such as rap artist Janset teaming up with NBA2K to create this music video for the 2023 playoffs.