TuneCore has crossed a major benchmark, reporting more than USD 5 billion in cumulative earnings paid out to self-releasing artists since the platform launched in 2006. The milestone is the first publicly confirmed figure of this scale from a distributor focused on independent creators, and lands just 17 months after the company announced it had passed USD 4 billion.
The company, owned by Believe, has spent nearly two decades building tools for independent musicians to distribute and monetise their work. Today, TuneCore’s global catalogue includes emerging creators, established independent names and artists working directly from home studios.
Andreea Gleeson, Chief Executive Officer, TuneCore, said, “Crossing $5 billion earned by TuneCore artists is a defining milestone for independent music, it shows that creative freedom and financial success can go hand in hand. Reaching this milestone didn’t just happen; it’s the result of listening closely to what artists need today and evolving TuneCore to power their growth. By combining innovation with intention, we’ve built programs like TuneCore Accelerator to help artists reach new audiences, and publishing services that ensure they collect every cent their music generates. This milestone reflects the extraordinary talent and drive of our artists around the world, and we’re proud to be the partner helping to fuel their success.”
TuneCore’s growth is increasingly driven by its Accelerator programme, which pushes discovery and audience development on streaming platforms. Over the past year alone, Accelerator artists have generated more than 21 billion new streams and triggered 2.5 billion artist discoveries, with median royalties growing fivefold. These outcomes, combined with Believe’s relationships with DSPs, have helped speed the rate at which independent artists earn.
As part of the announcement, TuneCore highlighted artists who have built careers through independent releases. California rapper Mike Sherm’s long-running catalogue continues to perform strongly, and his association with TuneCore dates back to 2015. In India, rising Punjabi artist Tyson Sidhu has used the platform to scale a fast-growing audience since joining in 2021.
“I’ve been releasing music independently for 3-4 years now. As an independent artist, you can make all the music you want and easily upload through TuneCore. Congrats to all the TuneCore artists for hitting the 5 Billion landmark!” said Tyson Sidhu.
Reflecting on the milestone from a regional perspective, Akhila Shankar, Head of TuneCore South Asia, said, “This achievement of $5 Billion earned by independent artists marks a powerful milestone for musicians worldwide. It shows what is possible when artists take control of their journey and their music. In India, this is a particularly special moment as it coincides with TuneCore’s 5 year anniversary in the region. India is now TuneCore’s third largest market globally by volume, driven by a new wave of artists shaping what it means to be South Asian through their own language, sounds and stories. Our role is to strengthen this momentum by giving artists throughout India the tools, data and local support to grow on their own terms.”
“The future of music is independent,” added Gleeson. “At TuneCore, we’re not just celebrating earnings, we’re celebrating empowerment, creativity, and the artists who are rewriting the rules of the industry.”
