The leading independent artist development platform announced that artists who distribute through TuneCore have now earned over $5 billion since the company’s founding nearly 20 years ago—marking a historic milestone and the first public achievement of its kind among distributors for self-releasing artists

TuneCore, the leading development partner for self-releasing artists—owned by Paris-based Believe, one of the world’s leading music companies—today announced that independent artists using the platform have collectively earned more than $5 billion since the company’s founding in 2006. This marks a historic milestone and the first public achievement of its kind among distributors for self-releasing artists.

Founded nearly two decades ago with a mission to democratize music distribution for self-releasing artists, TuneCore has evolved into a global powerhouse for independent artist development, offering artists solutions to monetize their music, find and grow their fanbases while building sustainable careers on their own terms.

Andreea Gleeson, Chief Executive Officer, TuneCore commented, “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.”

Surpassing the $5 billion milestone reflects the cumulative earnings of all TuneCore artists since 2006—including bedroom producers, emerging voices, and global stars alike—and comes just 17 months after surpassing the $4 billion mark, showcasing record-breaking momentum and accelerating artist success across every genre and market.

TuneCore’s success is powered by Believe’s direct relationships with digital service providers and streaming platforms worldwide, as well as TuneCore Accelerator, the company’s flagship artist development platform. Accelerator provides artists with access to promotional and marketing opportunities designed to drive discovery, build audiences, and deepen fan engagement. In just the past year, artists in the program have generated over 21 billion new streams, sparked 2.5 billion artist discoveries, and seen their median royalties grow fivefold. Together, these initiatives highlight TuneCore’s dedication to putting artists first—fueling global growth and establishing one of the most significant publicly shared milestones in the history of self-releasing artist distribution.

At the core of TuneCore’s success—and the success of its artists—is a steadfast, shared passion for independence, innovation, and experimentation. California rapper Mike Sherm has become a phenomenon as a result of that same passion, building a loyal following in the early 2010s on SoundCloud and YouTube before joining TuneCore in 2015 to take his career further. Over the last decade, his popularity has skyrocketed, with tracks like “Cookies”, “A-Hole,” “Baby,” and more amassing hundreds of millions of streams and establishing him as one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s most influential independent artists.

Sherm commented, “The advice I have for other artists is to grind hard, never give up, and most importantly always have fun with the music. I think independent music is taking over the whole world because you have all the resources you need already on the internet.” He continued, “The first time I made money from music was amazing and it was really motivating because I am making money from something that I love doing.”

Globally, TuneCore’s reach continues to expand, with over 75% of new artists and labels joining TuneCore in the last year coming from outside the United States. Among them is South London neo-soul/R&B artist BINA., whose breakout success as a TuneCore Artist has earned her over 250,000 monthly Spotify listeners and the One To Watch award at the 2025 AIM Independent Music Awards.

BINA. commented, “Being independent has given me the freedom to develop my artistry without too much external noise. Now that I feel like I know the main ingredients of what makes me who I am, it’s easier to navigate the industry with confidence in myself and my taste in art and music. I feel throughout my journey as an independent artist, I’ve been supported with easy to use tools to get my music out there, and the necessary assistance to use those tools has been easily accessible. I think that when artists are looking for distributors, they should check out the ways in which such partnerships will make their lives as artists easier, and most importantly, get the music out to as many likeminded, kindred music lovers as possible!”

With artists spanning every continent and career stage, TuneCore continues to redefine what’s possible for self-releasing musicians. From emerging creators finding their first fans to established artists scaling global success, TuneCore provides a clear path toward artistic freedom and financial independence. 

“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.”