Frequently Asked Questions

1M Music Group functions as an exclusive artist accelerator and boutique services engine. We work with a highly curated selection of talent to ensure deep involvement and max investment in each project.

Our A&R team evaluates candidates based on:

• Data & Metrics: Steady growth and engagement across Spotify, YouTube, and TikTok.
• Artistic Vision: Clear project identity, consistency, and long-term release potential.
• Catalog Value: High quality recording standards, mixing, and commercial catalog appeal.

To submit your application, you can fill out our official application form on the homepage by clicking Get Started / Registro. If your profile fits our current acceleration queue, a representative from our A&R team will contact you directly.

Absolutely not. Unlike traditional record labels that demand lifetime master rights transfers in exchange for advances, at 1M Music Group we believe in true artist independence.

You always retain 100% ownership of your catalog and your masters. Our contract functions strictly as a licensing and service agreement. We share net profits during the active collaboration term, and if we ever part ways, your catalog remains entirely yours.

For selected artists on our Roster, 1M Music Group acts as a full-service accelerator. Our support includes:

• Paid Marketing: Direct capital investment in digital advertising (Meta Ads, Google/YouTube Ads, TikTok Ads) managed by experts.
• A&R & Production Direction: Creative advice, collaboration strategy with other roster members, and professional mix/master setups.
• Project Management: A dedicated PM to coordinate releases, assets, metadata, and schedule optimization.
• Editorial Pitching: Delivery and pitching directly to DSP editors (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon) for playlist placements.
• PR & Branding: Campaigns to position the artist in specialized digital media and blogs.

Since we do not charge any setup, distribution, or administration fees, our business model is strictly based on a shared success partnership. We invest our own capital and human resources to develop your catalog, meaning we only succeed if you do.

Each deal is custom-tailored. Depending on the size of the project, the marketing budget required, and any production costs or advance options, we establish a mutually beneficial net profit split (licensing agreement). All terms are negotiated transparently during the onboarding process, ensuring you always retain 100% ownership of your catalog.

The following types of audio are strictly ineligible for Fingerprint stores:

1. Non-Exclusive Elements

• Loops, samples, or beats purchased under non-exclusive licenses (e.g., from Beatstars, Splice, Looperman). If another artist can license the same sound, it cannot be registered.
• Sound libraries or stock loops included inside DAWs (Logic Pro, GarageBand, Ableton, FL Studio).
• Audio tracks generated by AI platforms (Udio, Suno, etc.) with shared or public rights.

2. Common & Stock Audio

• Ambient or nature recordings (white noise, rain, birds, ocean waves, sound effects).
• Functional music designed for meditation, ASMR, sleep, or yoga.
• Public domain recordings (classical music performances or old tracks with expired copyrights).

3. Re-recordings and DJ Mixes

• Karaoke tracks, sound-alike covers, and instrumental tribute albums.
• Spoken word, podcasts, speeches, audiobooks, or game audio.
• Continuous mixes, compilation files, or DJ sets.

A cover song is your recording of a song written by another songwriter. To distribute it legally, you must respect composition copyright rules:

1. What is a Mechanical License?

A mechanical license is the legal authorization required to reproduce and distribute a copyrighted musical composition (lyrics and melody) as an audio recording. This license ensures the original songwriter gets paid for the physical copy, download, or streaming of their song.

2. Streaming vs. Downloads

• Interactive Streaming (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.): In most territories, the DSPs automatically deduct mechanical royalties and pay them directly to local collecting societies. You do not need to acquire a upfront license to distribute a cover to interactive streaming-only stores.
• Digital Downloads (iTunes, Amazon): To legally sell download copies of a cover, you must obtain a mechanical license before releasing the track.

3. Clear Cover Songs legally with Easy Song

To distribute your cover songs legally and protect your catalog from takedowns or copyright claims, 1M Music Group provides a fast clearance workflow through our trusted licensing partner Easy Song. They clear composition rights directly with publishers worldwide, giving you complete legal peace of mind.

If your video receives a copyright strike on YouTube, it is extremely critical that you do not delete the video.

Deleting the video does not remove the strike from your channel. On the contrary, once a video is deleted, it becomes much more difficult to trace, counter-notice, or dispute the claim, making the strike permanent for the standard 90-day period.

Instead, follow these steps:

1. Keep the video in your channel (either private or unlisted).
2. Check your email. Our Copyright and Claims team will send you a notice with detailed instructions to resolve the dispute.
3. If you believe the strike was issued in error, reach out to your Project Manager or submit a claim ticket through support so we can assist you in undoing the strike directly with YouTube.

To request your accumulated royalty payout, please follow our billing process:

1. Payout Request Method

Send an email to [email protected] from the email address registered with your 1M Music Group account. This is a security measure required to validate your identity and billing details.

2. Threshold

Your account balance must exceed the active minimum threshold required for payouts at the time of your request (standard threshold is $100 USD, or equivalent in local currency).

3. Payment Schedule

• Requested between the 1st and the 20th of the month: Processed and paid at the end of the current calendar month.
• Requested after the 21st: Processed and paid at the end of the following calendar month.

Many independent artists wonder what the optimal path is to launch their catalog: join our boutique record label or use our self-service incubator? At 1M Music Group we offer both options in a transparent and integrated way.

1. 1M Music Group (Boutique Label Services)

Designed for projects with proven traction and high growth potential. It is a comprehensive co-production model:

• Real Investment: We inject capital directly into your project (budget for paid digital marketing, production, mixing and mastering).
• Custom Split: We work under a mutually agreed net profit split (licensing model). No upfront fee, no lifetime rights lock-in.
• Control of your Catalog: Unlike traditional record labels, the artist always retains 100% ownership of his masters. No abusive contracts.
• Exclusive Services: Dedicated Project Managers, public relations (PR) campaigns, direct editorial playlist pitching and 24/7 priority support.

2. DISTROMASTERS / DISTROM (Incubator and Distributor)

Designed for emerging artists and independent producers who want to control their distribution autonomously with the best support:

• Self-service model: You upload your music through our platform to more than 150 digital stores.
• Flexible Plans:
  • DISTROM Single ($9 USD / one-time payment): Keep 90% of your net royalties. YouTube Content ID included.
  • PRO ($29 USD/year): Keep 100% of your net royalties. Unlimited releases for 1 artist.
  • LABEL ($59 USD/year): Keep 100% of your net royalties. Ideal for labels and multi-artist teams.
• Services: Automated royalty splits, free ISRC and UPC, and personalized support in Spanish.

The best? Our model is scalable. You can start at DISTROMASTERS and, when your catalog gains traction and generates stable income, our team can select you to migrate to 1M Music Group's full label services.