GUIDE RELEASING

How to review music distribution offers in 2026

A practical walkthrough of a first release — from the master file on your desktop to a live release everywhere. Written for artists who have never distributed before; no jargon left unexplained.

01

Prepare your master

Export the final mix as an uncompressed WAV — 24-bit / 48kHz is the delivery standard. Listen to the whole file once, start to finish, on headphones and on a phone speaker. Check the start and end for clicks, and leave no accidental silence at either end.

✓Uncompressed WAV, 24-bit / 48kHz
✓Full listen-through on two devices
✓No clipping, clicks or trailing silence
02

Artwork that passes review

Artwork requirements vary by destination. Confirm the current file, colour, text and logo rules before delivery.

✓3000×3000 px, RGB
✓Readable at thumbnail size
✓No platform logos, handles or URLs
03

Metadata & codes

Metadata is how the world finds you: artist name spelled exactly the same way every release, the real title with no decoration, the correct language and genre tags. Identifier codes — ISRC for the recording, UPC for the release — are assigned during onboarding; you do not need to buy them anywhere.

✦ Spelling drift is the most common first-release mistake — “Layla Noor”, “LaylaNoor” and “Layla N.” become three different artists in the stores.
04

Choose your release date

Give yourself runway. A date several weeks out leaves room for review, delivery and pitching before day one. Align the date with anything you control — a video, a show, a post series — so the release lands with support rather than alone.

05

Apply for your invite

Mazufa is invite-only. Complete applications enter a human-review queue subject to capacity. Submitting never creates an account; approved applicants may receive a private onboarding invitation.

06

After approval

Once onboarded, an eligible release is prepared to current destination specifications. Available reporting depends on platform data and account access.

TERMS USED IN THIS GUIDE
ISRC

An ISRC identifies a recording; reporting and royalty coverage depend on each platform and agreement.

UPC

The barcode of your release — one per single, EP or album.

DSP

Digital Service Provider — a music service such as Spotify, Apple Music or Anghami, subject to current availability.

Learn · Guide
Mazufa Guide · Updated 2026

Check destinations available to your account and release. Review the current plan and applicable agreement. Ownership, licence scope and royalties follow the applicable agreement.

What “music distribution” actually means

Check destinations available to your account and release. Review the current reporting and payment terms. Ownership, licence scope and royalties follow the applicable agreement.

Before you upload: a quick checklist

  • A finished, mastered audio file (WAV is best).
  • Square cover art (3000×3000 px, no other brands' logos or blurry images).
  • Your exact artist name, track title and any featured artists.
  • Songwriter/credits info, and a release date a couple of weeks out (so you can pitch to playlists).

Step by step: prepare your first release

  1. Choose an Artist or Label account. Review the current plan and applicable agreement.
  2. Click “New release”, upload your audio and cover art.
  3. Fill in your metadata carefully — use names exactly as you want them displayed.
  4. Check destinations available to your account and release
  5. Timing varies by delivery queue and platform review.
  6. Check destinations available to your account and release, subject to eligibility and platform review.

Ready to prepare your release?

Choose an Artist or Label application

After release: plan your next steps

Review the release tools available in your account, such as smart links, release cards, artist hubs, verification support, recovery help and the royalty calculator. Availability of each tool is subject to eligibility and platform review.

Frequently asked questions

What pricing and fee terms apply?

Review the current plan and applicable agreement. Fees and deductions follow the current plan and agreement. Review the current reporting and payment terms.

Which stores can I reach?

Check destinations available to your account and release. Availability is subject to eligibility and platform review.

Do I keep my rights?

Ownership, licence scope and royalties follow the applicable agreement

How long does it take to go live?

Timing varies by delivery queue and platform review.

Your first single starts here

One invite application, reviewed by a human. Bring the master, the artwork and the story.

Apply for Invite ♪