Create Your First Artist in Velveteen
Updated June 12, 2026
Create your first artist from Catalog > Artists > New Artist. Enter the artist name, link an existing Spotify or Apple Music profile or mark the artist as new, complete any required fraud declarations, accept terms, and submit. Velveteen routes you to the artist detail page while approval runs if needed.
Every release needs at least one approved artist. Create the artist before you open New Release so Velveteen does not block catalog setup.
New Artist steps
- 1
Open New Artist
From Catalog > Artists, click New Artist. - 2
Enter the artist name
Type the performing name listeners will see on DSPs. - 3
Link DSP profiles or mark as new
Search Spotify and Apple Music for an existing page, or check New Artist when no DSP profile exists yet. - 4
Complete declarations
For linked profiles, answer prior-distributor and fraud-history questions when prompted. - 5
Accept terms and create
Confirm the Terms of Service on the final step. Velveteen creates the artist and opens its detail page.
Fields Velveteen checks
Artist name
Required performing identity for releases and DSP metadata.
DSP identifiers
Required for existing artists unless is_new_artist is true.
New Artist
Marks a first-time DSP page. Identifiers are optional on first delivery.
Approval status
Artists in setup, pending, needs_work, or rejected block release submission.
Plan limit
Artist plan allows 1 artist, Pro allows 5, Label is unlimited.
Frequently asked questions
What if I cannot find my Spotify profile?+
Check New Artist so Velveteen treats the page as a first-time DSP identity. You can add identifiers later after delivery.
Can I create a release while approval is pending?+
Yes. You can draft releases now, but Submit for Review stays disabled until every linked artist is approved.
What does needs_work mean?+
Velveteen returned the artist with feedback. Update the profile, then resubmit for review from the artist page.
Why was artist creation blocked?+
You may have hit your plan artist limit, your account may be restricted, or Velveteen rejected the request for another validation reason shown in the UI.
Related articles
Overview
From a new account to your first submitted release: artist setup, release drafting, tracks, readiness, submission, and post-submit states.
What is an artist?
The performing identity: separate from your account, owned by a label, and the name listeners find on DSPs.
DSP identifiers
The identifiers array that links your artist to Spotify, Apple Music, and every other DSP profile.
Artist approval
The approval lifecycle: what each status means, what triggers transitions, and what to do when needs_work.
Plan features
Artist limits, release limits, pitching, custom labels, collaborator invites, label features, support, and direct-sale fees.