Common Release Readiness Blockers in Velveteen
Updated June 13, 2026
The blockers that hold up a release most often are an unapproved artist, a missing DSP identifier, a release date too soon, an incomplete AI declaration, missing contributors, and a single-track genre mismatch. Each has a clear fix in the readiness panel.
If your release will not submit, it is usually one of these. Here is how to clear each.
The usual suspects
Artist not approved
An artist in setup, under review, needs work, or rejected blocks the release. Get the artist approved first.
Missing DSP identifier
Link the artist's DSP profile, or mark them as a new artist.
Release date too soon
The consumer release date must be at least one week in the future.
AI declaration incomplete
Complete the AI usage declaration on each track.
Missing contributors
Add a composer, a production role, and an instrument performer, plus a lyricist for non-instrumental tracks.
Single-track genre mismatch
On a one-track release, match the track genres to the release, or use the quick fix.
How to clear them
- 1
Read the panel first
The readiness panel names the exact blocker and links you to it. - 2
Fix the artist blockers early
Artist approval and trust declarations can take time, so resolve those before the rest. - 3
Use quick fixes for the mechanical ones
Dates, identifiers, and the genre match often have a one-click fix.
Heads up
Frequently asked questions
My release looks complete but will not submit. Why?+
Check the readiness panel for the exact blocker. The most common hidden ones are an unapproved artist and an incomplete AI declaration on a track.
How long does artist approval take?+
It depends on review. Because it can take time, start it well before your target release date.
Why does a one-track release flag genres?+
On a single-track release the track's genre fields must match the release exactly. Use the Match release genres quick fix to clear it.
Do I have to declare AI use?+
Yes. Every track requires a completed AI usage declaration before the release can be submitted.
Related articles
Release-level checks
Name, artwork, label, genre and uniqueness, explicit, copyright lines, format, UPC, release dates, artist identifiers, artist approval and trust, and accepted invitations.
Track-level checks
Title, audio file and 30-second minimum, genre, language, copyright, ISRC, preview window, contributors and composer or lyricist, performers, and the AI declaration.
Overview
The readiness panel and the full set of release-level and track-level checks Velveteen runs before a release can leave draft, plus quick fixes and common blockers.