How to credit a producer
A producer credit does two things: it tells listeners who made the beat, and it links the song to the producer in the stores, in credits databases and at the collecting societies. Done right, it costs you nothing and helps you both. Done wrong, it can hold up your release.
Short answer: credit the producer in the credits of your release at your distributor, with the role Producer, and not in the song title. Put "prod. [name]" in the YouTube description, and register the split of the composition with your collecting society.
By TH6 · Updated
Where the credit goes
- At your distributor: in the credits or contributors section, with the role Producer. Distributors pass this on to the stores; DistroKid, for example, sends producer and songwriter credits to Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music.
- On YouTube: "prod. [name]" in the description, with a link to the producer if there is one.
- On Genius: producer credits can be added to the song page, and that is where many people look up who made a beat.
- On social media: tag the producer when you post the song. It costs nothing, and it is how most producers find out their beat was used.
Why "prod. by" does not belong in the title
It is tempting to call a song "Song (prod. by TH6)". The stores do not want that: Apple Music asks for producers in the metadata, with the role Producer, not in the track title, and a release that breaks the style rules can be held back or rejected. The same goes for adding a producer as a main or featured artist when they do not perform on the song.
So keep the title clean and put the producer in the credits. That is where streaming services read who produced the song.
Producer, composer, songwriter: which role?
Most beatmakers are both the producer (who made the recording of the beat) and the composer (who wrote the music). In the credits that often means two roles: Producer for the recording, and composer or songwriter for the composition. The lyrics and the topline are yours.
For the money this matters. The composition is what your collecting society pays out on, such as PRS for Music, ASCAP or BMI, and the split between the writers is agreed on paper. At TH6 the publishing is 50/50 on every lease: TH6 as composer of the music, you for the lyrics and topline. See the licences.
Step by step
- Check the licence for the name the producer wants to be credited with, and use exactly that name.
- At your distributor, add the producer under credits or contributors with the role Producer. Add the composer and songwriter credits too.
- Keep producer names out of the song title.
- Register the composition with your collecting society, with the agreed split. The producer registers their own share.
- On YouTube, put "prod. [name]" in the description. On Instagram or TikTok, tag the producer.
Crediting TH6
Every TH6 licence requires the credit: prod. TH6 wherever credits appear, and the other producer too if the beat was made with one. It also links your song to its producers in the stores and in credits databases. The publishing split is fixed in the licence, so you know what to register before you release. More in the guide releasing a song on a leased beat.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put "prod. by" in my song title?
Better not. Apple Music asks for producers in the credits, not in the track title, and a title with a producer name can hold up your release. Put the credit in the producer field at your distributor.
Do I have to credit the producer?
That depends on the licence. Many licences require it, and every TH6 licence does: prod. TH6, plus the other producer if the beat was made with one.
How do I add a producer credit on Spotify?
Through your distributor: Spotify shows the credits your distributor sends. On DistroKid you add them under Credits, in the Enhance your music part of the Features menu.
Is the producer also a songwriter?
Usually yes, for the music. The composition is split between whoever wrote the music and whoever wrote the lyrics and topline. At TH6 that is 50/50.