Tidal launches direct upload tool for indie artists
Block-owned TIDAL has introduced a direct upload feature enabling independent artists to publish music on its platform without traditional distribution intermediaries, positioning the streaming service as a rival to SoundCloud’s artist-first model. The tool allows musicians to post tracks that appear alongside the platform’s 180 million song catalog and are accessible to all listeners, including non-subscribers, though uploaded content does not generate streaming royalties.
Artists can earn through a weekly spotlight program where TIDAL editors select tracks for featured playlists and homepage placement, with chosen musicians receiving $100 deposits to their Cash App accounts for each featured period. The company is also running Upload Headliners, a competition awarding ten artists $100,000 each from submissions before year’s end.
The free service permits US-based artists over 18 to upload 200 tracks with processing completed within approximately 60 seconds. TIDAL previously launched artist management tools through its Artist Home portal and partnered with performance rights organization AllTrack to help songwriters claim their compositions.
