How to change an artist's name

Modified on Fri, 10 Jul at 2:05 PM

This article explains how to change an artist's name — the name they're known by publicly across their whole catalog (e.g. renaming The Quarrymen to The Beatles) — and how to carry that change across to the DSPs without losing the artist's existing profile, followers, or streaming history.

Note This is not the same as changing the credited artist on a single release or track. To do that, just edit the release or track and redeliver it — you don't need this guide.

How DSPs handle name changes

Each DSP identifies an artist by a permanent profile ID (like a Spotify URI or Apple Music Artist ID), not by the name text. The goal of a rename is to get the DSP to update the existing profile so followers, monthly listeners, streaming history, and playlist placements all carry over.

If the change is delivered incorrectly — wrong identifier, or inconsistently across distributors — a DSP may instead create a new, empty profile under the new name. This is a profile split, and it fragments the artist's audience across two pages. Each DSP decides whether to rename or create new, so the steps below are designed to give the rename the best chance of sticking.

Before you begin

Confirm you want a full rename, not a change to one release.
If you only distribute part of the catalog, coordinate with the other distributors and redeliver under the new name on the same day.
Update any cover art showing the old name before redelivering (Apple Music will flag it).
Leave existing profile identifiers (like the Spotify URI) untouched — changing them is what splits profiles.

Step 1 — Decide the scope

Decide whether the new name applies everywhere the artist appears (any role — primary, featured, remixer, producer) or only on certain assets.

Rename everywhere (recommended): update the name in Catalog → Artists. This keeps all analytics on one profile, and the new name applies automatically to every release and track — no need to edit them individually.

New name on certain assets only: create a new artist in Catalog → Artists, then edit the relevant releases and tracks to replace the old artist with the new one.

Important Creating a new artist splits the history across two profiles — you'll filter analytics by both names, and DSPs treat them as separate artists. Only do this if you want two distinct identities.

Step 2 — Update the name in Revelator

Go to Catalog → Artists and open the artist.
Edit the Name field with the new name.
Leave the linked DSP profiles and identifiers as they are.
Click Save.

Step 3 — Redeliver and notify each DSP

Each DSP applies the change on its own profile, so follow the relevant steps below. Keep the release UPC(s) handy in every case.

Spotify

Redeliver the affected releases to Spotify.
Email us the old name, new name, and UPC(s). We'll ask Spotify to rename the existing profile.

Apple Music

Apple no longer renames existing profiles. A new Apple Music Artist profile is created and releases are redelivered under the new Artist ID.

Select the option to create a new Apple Music Artist profile.
Redeliver the artist's releases so they carry the new Artist ID.
The artist can reclaim the new profile in Apple Music for Artists, as before.

Amazon Music

Email us the old name, new name, and current Amazon Music artist URL, and we'll request the update.

All other DSPs (YouTube, SoundCloud, Audiomack, etc.)

Log in to each DSP's artist portal and change the name there, or contact that DSP's support if self-service isn't available.
Once confirmed, redeliver all the artist's releases to that DSP.

Step 4 — Confirm the change

Allow 48–72 hours after redelivery, then check each DSP profile. If the old name is still showing, email us the artist's old profile link, new profile link, and the associated UPCs so we can investigate.

Warning If a DSP creates a new, empty profile instead of renaming the old one, don't keep redelivering — it can worsen the split. Send us the old and new profile links plus UPCs, and we'll work with the DSP to correct it.

Frequently asked questions

Will the artist lose their followers, streams, or playlists?

Not if it's done correctly. Renaming the existing profile keeps all of it. Data is only at risk if a DSP creates a new profile — which is why the steps above keep identifiers intact and coordinate redeliveries.

Why did a second, empty profile appear?

That's a profile split — usually from uncoordinated redeliveries or a changed identifier. Send us the old and new profile links and the UPCs, and we'll help resolve it.

Can Revelator change the name on the DSPs for me?

For Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon, we submit the request once you've redelivered and sent the details. Other DSPs are updated in their own artist portal by you or the artist. The final decision always sits with the DSP.

Still need help?
Submit a support ticket with the artist's old and new names, profile links, and UPCs.