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6 Truths About Editorial Playlists That Other Distros May Not Tell You

August 07, 2024

Editorial playlists on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Audiomack have become the holy grail for many artists

Securing a spot on these playlists can significantly boost an artist’s visibility, leading to thousands or even millions of streams and new fans. However, there’s a lot more to the story than what most distribution companies will tell you.

Here are some hard truths about editorial playlists that you need to know:

1. IT'S FREE

While some distributors may charge an additional fee for it, submitting your music for consideration to editorial playlists is free. Unlike some promotional strategies that require significant investment, pitching to editorial playlists does not cost money. This means that every artist has the opportunity to get their music heard by curators without worrying about further expenses.

2. LIMITED CONTROL & INFLUENCE

Many distribution companies boast about their ability to get your music placed on top editorial playlists. The reality is that no distributor can guarantee placement. Playlist curators, mostly employed by the streaming platforms themselves, have the final say.

While a good distributor like Unsong Music can increase your chances by pitching your music effectively and leveraging its relationship with the DSPs, the ultimate decision is out of the distributor's hands.

3. ALGORITHMIC BIAS

Editorial playlists are not just curated by humans; algorithms play a significant role. These algorithms consider a variety of factors such as listener engagement, skip rates, and overall song popularity. It's not just about having a good pitch or great music; your track's performance metrics also matter significantly.

4. IMPORTANCE OF PRE-SAVE & ENGAGEMENT

Pre-save campaigns and early engagement metrics are vital.

Curators look at how much buzz your song is generating before and immediately after its release. High pre-save numbers, shares, and early streams can significantly influence your chances of being playlisted. Building hype before your release is critical.

5. INDEPENDENT CURATORS

While editorial playlists get a lot of attention, independent curator playlists can also drive significant streams and exposure. These playlists, managed by influencers, bloggers, and music enthusiasts, are often more accessible and can be a stepping stone to bigger opportunities. Many distribution companies fail to highlight the importance of these independent playlists in your overall strategy.

6. LONGEVITY OF PLAYLIST PLACEMENT & REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

Being placed on an editorial playlist is fantastic, but it's not a long-term strategy. Songs often stay on these playlists for a limited time—sometimes just a few weeks. After that, your streams may drop off steeply.

It's important to understand the dynamics involved and manage your expectations accordingly. Getting placed on an editorial playlist is a significant achievement, but it's not the end-all-be-all of a successful music career.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can`t find the answer below? Send an email tosupport@unsongmusic.com

Unsong Music is an artist services company dedicated to empowering the next generation of talent. We don’t just distribute music, we provide the tools, strategies, and industry expertise that help independent artists grow, thrive, and build sustainable careers.

Our services span Digital Distribution, A&R Management, Artist Marketing, Creative Direction, Brand Management, Digital Marketing, Playlisting, and more, each tailored to the unique goals of every artist we work with.

Unsong Music understands the limitations of the average independent artist in attaining the spotlight and building a career. We intend to bridge the divide between the opportunities accessible to you and those available to your counterparts in the music industry.

Your music will be available on major stores within 1–10 days after submission.

You can also select a custom release date to align with your marketing plan.

We offer Artist Marketing, Brand Management, Creative Direction, and other promotional services via the UNSONG PREMIUM plan.

The UNSONG PRO plan grants you access to an A&R Manager, and your releases are considered for editorial playlist pitching.

Yes! Unsong Music will provide you with access to your sales dashboard.

You can easily track how your music is performing, including sales, streams, and earnings, all in one place.

Yes! With the UNSONG PREMIUM plan, artists who don’t distribute through us can still access other services.

Simply apply for the plan, complete the form, and select the service you’d like us to provide.

Our team will review your request and be in touch shortly.

If you’re subscribed to the UNSONG PRO plan, our A&R team will review your release and, if approved, pitch it to DSPs for editorial playlist placements.

It is important to note that approval by our A&R team does not guarantee placement on editorial playlists, as playlist curators independently decide which music aligns with their playlists' themes and audiences.

To give our team enough time to review and pitch your music, please upload singles at least 30 days before the release date, and EPs or albums at least 45 days in advance.

Unsong Music offers three tailored plans, each designed to support independent artists with varying needs and career goals:

UNSONG ROOKIE – At ₦24,900/year, this plan is designed for artists who want digital distribution only.
It offers unlimited releases per artist, free release links, and the option to upgrade to UNSONG PRO as your needs change.
UNSONG ROOKIE artists retain 90% of their streaming royalties, while Unsong Music takes a 10% commission.

UNSONG PRO – At ₦44,900/year, this plan is designed for artists who want more than digital distribution. You are assigned an A&R Manager, and your releases are reviewed for editorial playlist pitching to Apple Music, Spotify, Audiomack, and other platforms. Your A&R Manager will be dedicated to your development. They can assist with track selection, release planning, marketing strategy, and other key areas to support your growth.
You will also receive an independent artist kit at major milestones: 2 million, 5 million, and 10 million streams (terms and conditions apply).
UNSONG PRO artists keep 80% of their streaming royalties, while Unsong Music takes a 20% commission.

UNSONG PREMIUM – This invite-only plan offers bespoke royalty splits per artist, alongside other services including Artist Marketing, Playlisting, and more.

The Independent Artist Kit includes creative tools such as headphones, wireless earbuds, bluetooth speakers, studio gear, content creation equipment, and other essential tools curated to support your development.

You unlock these items as you achieve significant milestones—2 million, 5 million, and 10 million streams respectively.

Only UNSONG PRO artists are eligible for this kit.