Writers & Contributors
Writers and contributors are the people behind your music—songwriters, composers, producers, engineers, and musicians. Proper crediting ensures everyone gets recognized and helps with royalty collection.
Why Credits Matter
- Recognition - Creators get credit for their work
- Royalties - Publishing royalties flow to the right people
- Platform features - Spotify, Apple Music show detailed credits
- Legal compliance - Proper documentation of ownership
- Discoverability - Credits are searchable on platforms
Types of Contributors
Songwriters (Composition Credits)
People who created the underlying song:
| Role | Description |
|---|---|
| Composer | Wrote the music/melody |
| Lyricist | Wrote the lyrics |
| Composer/Lyricist | Wrote both music and lyrics |
| Arranger | Arranged the musical composition |
| Adapter | Adapted an existing work |
Recording Credits
People who contributed to the sound recording:
| Role | Description |
|---|---|
| Producer | Oversaw and directed the recording |
| Mixer | Mixed the final recording |
| Mastering Engineer | Mastered the final audio |
| Recording Engineer | Handled technical recording |
| Featured Artist | Guest performer with credit |
| Background Vocalist | Backing vocals |
| Session Musician | Played instruments |
Creating Writers in Your Catalog
Before adding writers to tracks, you can create writer profiles in your catalog:
- Navigate to Catalogue → Writers & Contributors
- Click Add Writer
- Fill in the required information:
- First Name - Writer’s first name
- Last Name - Writer’s last name
- Add optional details like email, address, PRO affiliation, and IPI number
- Click Submit to save
Adding Writers to Tracks
Step-by-Step
- Open your release in LabelGrid
- Navigate to the track you want to edit
- Find the Writers or Composition section
- Click Add Writer
- Enter or select the writer’s information:
- Name - As they should be credited
- Role - Composer, Lyricist, etc.
- Ownership % - Their share of the composition
- Repeat for all writers
- Save your changes
Writer Information
For each writer, you can specify:
| Field | Required | Constraints | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| First name | Yes | Max 255 characters | Writer’s first name |
| Middle name | No | Max 255 characters | Writer’s middle name (if applicable) |
| Last name | Yes | Max 255 characters | Writer’s last name |
| Display credits | No | Max 255 characters | How the name appears in credits (if different from legal name) |
| Aliases | No | Array, max 255 chars each | Alternative names for the writer |
| No | Valid email | Writer’s contact email | |
| Role | Yes | - | Type of contribution |
| Ownership % | Recommended | - | Share of composition rights |
| IPI/CAE Number | Recommended | 9-11 digits | Publishing identifier (spaces/hyphens allowed, stripped automatically) |
| ISNI | Optional | Exactly 16 characters | International Standard Name Identifier |
| PRO Affiliation | Optional | - | ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, PRS, etc. |
Writer Address (Optional)
You can also store address information for writers:
| Field | Constraints | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Country | ISO2 code (e.g., “US”, “GB”) | Writer’s country |
| State | 2-letter for US, any for others | State or province |
| City | Max 255 characters | City name |
| Address | Max 500 characters | Street address |
| Zip | Max 20 characters | Postal/ZIP code |
Publisher Association
Writers can be directly linked to a publisher:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Select an existing publisher from your catalog |
| Publisher name | Or enter a publisher name manually |
| Publisher PRO | Publisher’s PRO affiliation |
| Publisher IPI | Publisher’s IPI number |
Spotify Requirement: Composer and Lyricist fields must use full legal names - not aliases, stage names, or initials. Use “Robert James Smith” instead of “R.J. Smith” or “DJ Bobby”. This ensures proper rights attribution with publishing societies.
Ownership Percentages
Ownership splits should total 100% across all writers:
Example: Two co-writers
- Writer A: Composer (50%)
- Writer B: Lyricist (50%)
Example: Band with equal shares
- Member 1: Composer/Lyricist (25%)
- Member 2: Composer/Lyricist (25%)
- Member 3: Composer/Lyricist (25%)
- Member 4: Composer/Lyricist (25%)
Adding Production Credits
Step-by-Step
- Open your release in LabelGrid
- Navigate to the track
- Find the Credits or Contributors section
- Click Add Contributor
- Select the role and enter their name
- Save your changes
Common Production Credits
| Credit | When to Use |
|---|---|
| Producer | Always credit your producer(s) |
| Mixer | Credit if different from producer |
| Mastering Engineer | Always credit |
| Recording Engineer | Credit for significant contribution |
| Additional Production | Secondary producers |
IPI/CAE Numbers
What is an IPI Number?
IPI (Interested Party Information) numbers, also called CAE numbers, are unique identifiers for songwriters and publishers in the global music publishing system.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Format | 9-11 digits |
| Example | 00123456789 |
| Issued by | Your PRO when you join |
What is an ISNI?
ISNI (International Standard Name Identifier) is a global identifier for creative contributors.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Format | 16 characters |
| Example | 0000000121212121 |
| Issued by | isni.org |
Why These Identifiers Matter
- Ensure royalties reach the correct person
- Prevent confusion between people with similar names
- Required for proper publishing registration
- Used by PROs worldwide
How to Get an IPI Number
- Join a Performance Rights Organization (PRO)
- US: ASCAP, BMI, SESAC
- UK: PRS
- Other countries have their own PROs
- Your PRO assigns your IPI number
- Add it to your LabelGrid profile
Adding IPI Numbers
When adding a writer, include their IPI number if known. This ensures:
- Accurate royalty distribution
- Proper credit matching across systems
- Fewer disputes over ownership
Publishers
Adding Publisher Information
If your songs are published (self-published or through a publisher):
- Navigate to the track’s composition credits
- Find the Publisher section
- Add publisher details:
- Publisher name
- Publisher IPI number
- Ownership percentage
- Territory (if limited)
Publisher Splits
Publishers typically receive a portion of composition royalties:
Example: Standard publishing deal
- Writer: 50% (writer’s share)
- Publisher: 50% (publisher’s share)
Example: Self-published
- Writer/Self-Publisher: 100%
Multiple Publishers
If multiple publishers are involved:
- Add each publisher separately
- Specify their percentage
- Indicate territories if different
Where Credits Appear
Streaming Platforms
Spotify:
- Song Credits (tap three dots > Song Credits)
- Songwriter Pages (for eligible writers)
Apple Music:
- Expanded Song Credits
- Searchable by songwriter name
TIDAL:
- Detailed credits page per track
YouTube Music:
- Song info section
Other Uses
- Publishing databases (BMI, ASCAP, etc.)
- Rights management systems
- Royalty distribution reports
Crediting Best Practices
Name Consistency
Use the same name spelling across all releases:
- “John Smith” not sometimes “J. Smith”
- Include middle names if that’s their credited name
- Match what’s registered with their PRO
Credit Everyone
Include all contributors, even for small roles:
- Co-writers (even for one line)
- Additional producers
- Featured musicians
Get Agreements in Writing
Before releasing:
- Confirm ownership splits with all writers
- Get written agreements for work-for-hire
- Document any special arrangements
Keep Records
Maintain documentation of:
- Who contributed what
- Agreed ownership percentages
- Contact information for all contributors
Splits and Royalties
Understanding Splits
Composition splits determine who receives publishing royalties:
- Radio play
- Streaming mechanical royalties
- Sync licensing
- Cover versions
Master splits (different from composition) determine who receives recording royalties:
- Streaming revenue
- Download sales
- Physical sales
Setting Up Splits in LabelGrid
Depending on your account features, you may be able to:
- Define composition ownership percentages
- Set up master royalty splits
- Generate split sheets for contributors
Common Split Scenarios
Solo artist who wrote their own song:
- Writer: 100%
Two co-writers, equal contribution:
- Writer A: 50%
- Writer B: 50%
Three writers, one wrote mostly:
- Lead writer: 50%
- Co-writer B: 25%
- Co-writer C: 25%
Troubleshooting
Credits not appearing on streaming platforms
- Verify credits were entered in LabelGrid
- Check that the release has been delivered
- Allow time for updates (can take days/weeks)
- Ensure names match platform requirements
Conflicting ownership claims
- Review original agreements
- Contact all parties to resolve
- Update credits once resolved
- Re-deliver if changes are made
Can’t find a contributor’s IPI number
- Ask them directly (they should know)
- Search PRO databases:
- Leave blank if truly unknown (not ideal)
Related Guides
- Validation and Review - Writer/contributor validation requirements
- Lyrics & Credits Display - How credits appear on platforms
- Creating a Release - Adding credits during release creation
- Managing Artists - Artist profiles vs writer credits
Need Help?
If you have questions about credits or royalty splits, contact our support team.