> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://developer.ammdistro.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Artists

> Primary and featured artists, store profiles and legal names.

Artists go on the release, and optionally on each track. A track without its own `artists` uses the release's.

```json theme={"dark"}
"artists": [
  {
    "name": "Nova",
    "role": "primary",
    "spotifyId": "0OdUWJ0sBjDrqHygGUXeCF",
    "appleMusicId": "1234567890",
    "legalFirstName": "Nora",
    "legalLastName": "Vance"
  },
  { "name": "Guest", "role": "featuring", "legalFirstName": "Gil", "legalLastName": "Ruiz" }
]
```

**name** `string` *required*

The artist name as it should appear in stores.

**role** `string` (default: primary)

`primary` or `featuring`. Every release and every track needs at least one primary artist.

**spotifyId** `string`

The 22-character ID of the artist's existing Spotify profile, so the release appears on it. Leave it out for an artist who isn't on Spotify yet.

**appleMusicId** `string`

The numeric ID of the artist's existing Apple Music profile.

**legalFirstName** `string`

The artist's legal first name. Every artist needs a legal first and last name before the release can be submitted.

**legalLastName** `string`

The artist's legal last name.

**spotifyProtection** `object`

See below.

## Matching to existing artists

Artists are matched to the artists already saved in your account: first by Spotify ID, then by name. A new name creates a new artist. Use the same spelling every time, and send store profile IDs whenever you have them, so a release never lands on the wrong profile.

## Spotify profile protection

Some Spotify artist profiles have release protection turned on, which blocks releases the artist hasn't approved. The first time a release goes to a Spotify profile, tell us whether protection is on:

```json theme={"dark"}
{
  "name": "Nova",
  "spotifyId": "0OdUWJ0sBjDrqHygGUXeCF",
  "spotifyProtection": { "decision": "artist_key", "artistKey": "1A2B3-C4D5E-6F7A8-B9C0D-E1F2A" }
}
```

| `decision` | Meaning | Also send |
| - | - | - |
| `not_enabled` | The profile doesn't use release protection. | |
| `artist_key` | The artist gave you their artist key. | `artistKey` |
| `manual_approval` | The artist will approve the release in Spotify for Artists. It may be delayed until they do. | `"acknowledged": true` |

It's only needed once per profile. [Validate](/guides/validating-and-submitting.md) tells you when it's missing.


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