A new campaign, #RespectTheCreators, aims to change an overlooked issue in the music industry: giving credit to music played in social media videos.
Backed by leading artists and organisations such as the Association for Electronic Music (AFEM) and techno pioneer Richie Hawtin, the campaign encourages DJs, promoters and platforms to give proper recognition to the tracks they play during live events and incorporate them into promotional publications.
While live footage from DJ sets and festivals has become an important tool for marketing, the music that fuels these moments is often left uncredited, depriving the original creators of recognition and opportunities. The campaign aims to set a new industry standard for giving credit to the music featured in these viral posts.
“Supporting the community and musicians who form the musical fabric our scene is built on should be an act of common decency,” Hawtin said. “So why are there so many social media posts from DJs, promoters and festivals that don't tag the music being played? It's disrespectful and only further exploits musicians who are already struggling to get recognition.”
The #RespectTheCreators campaign highlights the fact that up to 90% of social media content about DJ performances fails to give credit to the music being played. Data transmission Reports and research presented at IMS Ibiza show that only around 3% of a DJ’s set includes their own productions, so proper acknowledgement of other artists’ tracks is essential.
The campaign calls on DJs to tag artists and list song names in concert videos or mixes where the music is not their own. Online platforms are asked to provide visible track listings below all sets, while promoters must credit the music in all promotional materials for events.
“Crediting and tagging producers and songs played in social media content is one of the easiest ways a DJ can show their support,” added Ethan Holben, founder of the now-defunct DJ revenue sharing platform Aslice. “Electronic music culture is all about community, and that culture can be fostered through positive action. This campaign is the first of many movements that treat respect, recognition and equality for music creators as paramount.”
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