If you want to change your artist name, you have two options:
- Resubmit your existing music under your new artist name. This requires canceling your current releases and submitting them again.
- Keep your existing music under your old artist name and use your new name for future releases.
You cannot directly change the primary artist name on a release that has already been approved and delivered to streaming platforms. Artist names are registered alongside release metadata in streaming platforms' systems, so changing them requires a new submission.
Option 1: Resubmit your existing music under a new artist name
If you want your existing music to appear under your new artist name, you'll need to cancel your current releases and resubmit them.
How to change your artist name on existing releases
- Cancel your existing releases: Cancel each release you want to move to your new artist name.
- Wait for your music to be removed: Confirm that your original releases have been fully taken down from streaming platforms before resubmitting.
- Update your online presence: Update your social media profiles and other online platforms to reflect your new artist name.
- Create new submissions: Submit your music again through your CD Baby account using your new artist name.
Your original releases must be fully removed before you resubmit them. Having the same music available under both artist names may cause problems with your new submissions.
Will streaming platforms accept my resubmitted music?
Most streaming platforms, including Apple Music, will accept music resubmitted under a new artist name, provided the original release has been fully canceled before resubmission.
However, acceptance is not guaranteed. In rare cases, Apple Music may flag or reject a resubmission because the music was previously distributed under a different artist name. If this happens, contact CD Baby Support and explain that you're changing your artist name. We can follow up with Apple Music on your behalf to clarify that the resubmission is part of an intentional artist rebrand.
Before we can assist, you must:
- Ensure all music under your previous artist name has been completely removed from Apple Music.
- Update your social media profiles to consistently reflect your new artist name.
Apple Music may review your online presence when evaluating your request.
Option 2: Keep your existing catalog under your old artist name
You don't have to remove or resubmit your existing music to start releasing under a new artist name. You can leave your existing catalog available under your previous artist name and submit future releases using your new name. If you choose this option, your old and new artist identities may have separate artist pages on streaming platforms.
You can use features such as Spotify's Artist Pick to direct listeners from your previous artist profile to music released under your new name.
Some well-known artists have released music under different names throughout their careers, including John Mellencamp (formerly John Cougar) and Snoop Lion (formerly Snoop Dogg).
What if I only need to correct a spelling mistake?
If your artist name contains a minor spelling error, rather than an intentional name change or rebrand, you may be eligible for a correction without canceling and resubmitting your release.
To qualify:
- Your release must have FastForward.
- The correction must be requested within one year of the release's approval.
- The request must be for a genuine spelling error, not a change in branding or artist identity.
Changes to capitalization, punctuation preferences, or artist branding do not qualify as spelling corrections. If your correction doesn't meet these requirements, you'll need to cancel and resubmit your release to change the artist name.
What if my music appears on the wrong artist page?
If your artist name is correct but your music appears on another artist's profile, you do not need to change your artist name. This is an artist separation issue, which is handled separately from artist name changes. See: How do I fix my music appearing on the wrong artist page?
Additional resources
If you're considering changing your artist name, these articles may help:
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