Vocal Licensing FAQs 

 Exclusive, Non-Exclusive & Royalty-Free Vocals, Covers, & More

Need some clarity on what difference license agreements mean? I've got you. 

Your License Explained

🔐Exclusive

What You Get:

  • Full Ownership of the Master. Keep 100% of revenue from streams (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music etc), downloads, sync fees, YouTube Content ID, live performances, and any income from the *master recording itself.
  • High-Quality Files: Receive raw vocal files to edit and use freely for any project, commercial or non-commercial.
  • Your Exclusive Topline is marked SOLD OUT and will be permanently unavailable to anyone else.

Publishing Split: (What We Share)

  • 50/50 Publishing—like all pro topline deals: We split royalties for the songwriting (lyrics, melody, vocal performance).
  • I will be credited as a co-writer and collect 50% of publishing royalties (e.g., from PROs like BMI, ASCAP, SESAC, mechanicals, or sync licensing) tied to the *composition.

What This Means:
This means you keep all master revenue. Royalties from platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube (from the *master*) are entirely yours. If the song earns publishing royalties, I’ll receive my writer's share (50/50 publishing split) - standard practice for topliners and vocalists.

You May Not

  • Credit me as the vocalist in any way. You are not permitted to tag/feature me on any social media, Spotify or any other digital service provider without my expressed or written consent.  
  • You are not permitted to resell the vocal as-is or otherwise. 
  • You cannot claim that you are the original singer. 

Simply register the track with your distributor and PRO, and I’ll handle my side. No hassle, no extra costs.

*please also see my AI Clause 

📋Review the full terms here

✨Non-Exclusive

What You Get:

  • You keep 100% of streams, sales, syncs, live shows. Yep, Everrything. No Splits or paperwork. 
  • Usage Rights- You can use these vocals in any original track for demos, personal, non-commercial, or commercial use.

What This Means:
This means you keep all revenue and I relinquish my right to royalties. While you own your finished track, I retain the original copyright to the vocal melody and lyrics so I can continue licensing them to other creators.

You May Not

  • Credit me in any way. You are not permitted to tag/feature me on Spotify or any other digital service provider without my expressed or written consent. 
  • You are not permitted to resell the vocal as-is or otherwise. 
  • You cannot claim that you are the original singer.
  • You cannot register your track with YouTube Content ID or Facebook Rights Manager. This protects all my clients from getting accidental copyright strikes. 

*please also see my AI Clause 
 

📋Review the full terms here

🔥Vocal Hooks & Samples

What You Get:

  • Also a non-exclusive, royalty free license to use with your track + monetize from streams, sales, live shows, & syncs.  You keep 100% of royalties of revenue. No splits and no paperwork here either. 
  • Usage Rights- You can use these vocals in any original track for demos, personal, non-commercial, or commercial use.
  • Wet stems available as an add-on. 

What This Means:
These are vocal hooks & samples, so they’re quick & and ready for you to use. All Non-exclusive terms apply.  

You May Not

  • Credit me in any way. You are not permitted to Tag/feature me on any social media, Spotify or any other digital service provider without my expressed or written consent.  
  • You are not permitted to resell the vocal as-is. 
  • You cannot claim that you are the original singer. 

*please also see my AI Clause 

 

📋Review the full terms here

🎵Covers

What You Get:

  • A royalty-free license to use cover song vocals for personal use, demos, pitching to labels, and remixes. 

***If You Want To Release You Track Commercially
You will need to obtain a mechanical license (also called a cover license) to release your version commercially. You can do this through sites like Songfile or Easy Song

What This Means:

This means you are free to use these vocals in your track and that you do not sell or distribute with the intent to profit or monetize (personal use). To legally release for commercial use it is your responsibility to secure the proper mechanical license. 

You May Not:

  • Credit me in any way. You are not permitted to tag/feature me on Spotify or any other digital service provider without my expressed or written consent.  
  • You are not permitted to resell the vocal as-is or otherwise. 
  • You cannot claim that you are the original singer. 

*please also see my AI Clause 

📋Review the full terms here

FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

Can you explain the difference between an exclusive vocal license and a non-exclusive vocal license?

Of course! 

 Exclusive: Grants you sole rights to the vocal for your new song. Once sold, I remove it from sale—no one else can buy it.
Non-Exclusive: Lets me sell the same vocal to multiple producers. It’s priced lower, giving you affordable access and allowing me to earn recurring income on the continued sale of the vocal. 

 

What can I do with an exclusive license? What can't I do? And a non-exclusive license?

The biggest thing to note is that you cannot resell, repackage, or distribute the vocals as sample packs or loops. The vocals must be integrated into a new original song or track (not used alone or with just piano). Once combined into your new music, it can be released on any platform. 

 
 

What does royalty-free mean for vocals? 

Royalty-free means you pay once for a license and can use it in your projects —no extra fees every time it plays. The creator (me)  still owns the copyright; you're just buying the right to use it without ongoing royalties. Here's a quick breakdown:  You pay for the license upfront, and use as much as you want; you pay no royalties per stream, view, or sale. All of that revenue is yours. I will always own the copyright - the legal right to reproduce, publish, and distribute my original work, so you can't copy or resell because the license covers your use only. When you pay the flat fee, you aren't buying the "car" (the copyright); you are buying a "bus pass" (the license). Reach out if you need any clarification or have questions about the license you'd like to grab. 

Can I use royalty-free vocals in commercial songs?

Absolutely, yes.  After buying a license, incorporate them into your original tracks for commercial use. Don’t upload raw vocals (or vocals + piano) alone to streaming. You own your final recording, keeping all revenue.

 

How do I know which vocals are royalty-free? 

When it comes to non-exclusive licenses most of them are royalty free unless otherwise stated. Remember, you will own the master and the publishing rights to the new work (track you make) with those vocals. 

If you have purchased an exclusive vocal, you own 100% of the master and 50% of the publishing. 

I will always break down your license for you at check out before sending your deliverables. You can always email me or reach out with questions before purchasing. 

 

Can you send me a free sample? 

As much as I would love to help you out on that one, I just can't. As a business owner and working musician I cannot provide work for free. You can listen online and reference my portfolio for examples of some of my session work. Thank you so much for your understanding and professionalism. 

 

Can I use your name on my release and/or credit you if I use your vocals?

No. The vocals that I provide are what are called ghost vocals, singing and recording anonymously – without credit. I'm more than happy to provide you with an alias or pseudonym to list as the performer if you do not have your own, but my artist name must not be used in any capacity.  

 

What about the custom AI to human vocals? Do you sing it back just like the guide vocal? 

Absolutely, except human. I will match the reference and send you deliverables in 24-bit WAVs.  

 

Do I need to credit you for re-singing an AI vocal? 

No, just like with any other ghost vocal, you are not permitted to credit me or use my name, image or likeness in any way as the AI > Human Vocal is a performance fee (work for hire). However, publishing splits will come into play if the vocal melody and lyrics are edited or altered outside of the re-sing itself.  Standard writing/toplining practice. 

*Very important note: You must confirm that the AI reference I am working with does NOT clone, revoice, resynthesize or convert a living artist's protected voice without consent. And you must also have the rights to the lyrics/melody. I will not engage in unethical AI in any way, shape, or form. Please do not attempt to have me replicate another distinguishable singer's likeness. 

 

Song/ Content Disclaimer:


Collaborations / writing: I do not record overtly & sexually explicit material, violent content, or content intended to influence the purchase of recreational drugs. Even though they are ghost vocals - even in the event of a custom collaboration- I do not offer anything that does not align with my own personal comfortability. Thank you for your professionalism & understanding.

NO AI USE

🎤 AI Misuse & Voice Identity - FAQ

 

→ OWNERSHIP VS. IDENTITY ←

Owning a vocal performance to utilize on an original track ≠ Owning the voice

 

I bought a "Commercial" license or purchased a "Work Made For Hire" from you —doesn't that mean I own the audio to do whatever I want?

No. There is a firm AI exception to any license or work-for-hire agreement offered. You own the right to use my performance in your finished song, but you do not own my identity. There is a very, very important distinction here. My AI prohibition clause is a "Right of Publicity" protection that stands regardless of the project type. It’s like buying a painting—you own the canvas, but you don't have the right to create a robot that clones the artist.
 

 

Can I upload your vocals to AI sites just to hear how they would sound? I wouldn’t even show anyone.

Respectfully, no. Even if it’s "just for fun" or a private test. Doing so is a violation of my Right of Publicity and intellectual property. This is a big deal. You would essentially be giving an AI platform falsified, unauthorized and invalid consent to use my voice – of which you do not have consent from me  in the first place – and you would be held liable for damages and have to indemnify me in legal costs with regard to recovering and protecting my vocal rights. I don’t want that for me, and I don’t want that for you. To protect my livelihood, I strictly prohibit any AI uploads or use of AI.