Artist Approval in Velveteen
Updated June 11, 2026
Before an artist can be used for release delivery, Velveteen reviews the profile. The approval_status field tracks where your artist is in this process. Most profiles are reviewed within one to two business days once the profile is complete and the fraud declaration is submitted.
Approval status states
setup
The artist profile is incomplete. Required fields are missing or the fraud declaration has not been started. No review has been triggered yet.
pending
The profile is complete and the fraud declaration is submitted. The artist is in the review queue.
approved
Velveteen has reviewed and cleared the artist. Releases can be submitted for delivery.
needs_work
The reviewer returned the artist with notes. Check pending_changes_notes for the specific issues and resubmit after correcting them.
rejected
The artist cannot be used for distribution. This is a final state. Contact support if you believe this is in error.
Approval lifecycle
- 1
Create the artist
The artist enters the setup state. Required profile fields must be filled in before review can be triggered. - 2
Complete the fraud declaration
Navigate to the Artist Review tab and complete the fraud declaration. Selecting "None" is enough if the artist has no prior history. - 3
Submit for review
Once the profile is complete and the declaration is submitted, the artist moves to pending. Review is triggered automatically. - 4
Await the decision
A Velveteen reviewer sets the status to approved, needs_work, or rejected. You will be notified when the review is complete. - 5
If returned as needs_work
Checkapproval_feedbackon the artist record for the reviewer's notes. Correct the issues and click "Resubmit for review". The artist returns to pending.
Heads up
Frequently asked questions
How long does approval take?+
Most artists are reviewed within one to two business days once the profile is fully complete and the fraud declaration is submitted. Declared fraud history extends review time to three to five business days.
Why was my artist returned as needs_work?+
Needs_work means a Velveteen reviewer found something that needs correction. Check the approval_feedback field on your artist record first. If it is empty, check pending_changes_notes for the specific issues. Address what is listed and resubmit. The artist re-enters the pending queue.
Can I still create releases while approval is pending?+
Yes. You can create and edit releases while the artist is pending approval. You cannot submit a release for delivery until the artist status is approved.
What does rejected mean?+
Rejected means the artist cannot be used for distribution on Velveteen. This is a final state for cases that cannot be resolved, such as a confirmed fraudulent identity. Contact support if you believe this is in error.
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