Karaoke, Tribute and Instrumental Releases: Formatting Rules That Avoid Takedowns

Updated 2026-10-21 · 3 sources

Short answer

Karaoke and tribute releases are accepted only when they don't trade on the original artist's identity. Keep the original artist out of every artist field; don't start titles with their name; mark the release type Karaoke or Tribute; and in karaoke track versions write "Karaoke Version Originally Performed By [Artist]". Avoid anything that sounds or looks like the original: Apple hides sound-alikes.

Spotify's rules

  • Specify karaoke releases as Karaoke (DDEX ReleaseType KaraokeRelease) and tributes as Tribute [1].
  • The original artist may only appear in composer or lyricist fields where applicable [1].
  • Titles must not begin with the original artist's name: "A Blues Tribute to The Rolling Stones", not "The Rolling Stones - A Blues Tribute" [1].
  • Karaoke titles must make clear they're karaoke or instrumental versions and may reference the original artist in the version only after "Originally Performed By" [1].

Apple and SoundOn

  • Apple: for karaoke, tribute, parody and cover albums the original artist must not be in any artist field, and album titles must not start with the original artist's name [2].
  • Apple hides sound-alikes and tributes that sound very similar to the original [2].
  • SoundOn doesn't accept karaoke tracks [3].

Examples

Instead ofUseWhy
Artist: "AC/DC Tribute Band"Your own band nameSpotify example: references the original artist.
Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin Karaoke)Stairway to Heaven (Karaoke Version Originally Performed By Led Zeppelin)Spotify's accepted karaoke format.

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FAQ

Is an instrumental of my own song a karaoke track?

No. Label it as an instrumental version of your own track, e.g. "(Instrumental)", with its own ISRC.

Do I need a licence for karaoke?

Yes. Karaoke and tribute releases are new recordings of someone else's composition, so they need the same licensing as a cover.

Related guides

Sources

  1. Spotify Music Metadata Style Guide v2.2.0 (PDF)
  2. Apple Music Style Guide 2.4 (Apple)
  3. SoundOn Help Center: Releasing Music FAQ

Platform rules change. Each rule above is attributed to the company or standard that published it, as checked on 2026-10-21. This guide is not legal advice.