Respect the Creators campaign aims to change the way we credit dance music on social media

An AFEM (Association For Electronic Music) backed initiative supported by figureheads across electronic music launches with the goal of setting a new industry standard for crediting the musical work featured in social media videos and content uploaded by DJs, artists, labels, and brands.

Social media – and live event footage in particular – plays an integral role in the discovery and development of new talent – but only if they are correctly credited.

The organisers of the campaign assert that it is the right time to adopt a new, industry-wide commitment to clearly crediting the work of others, outlined by a set of best practices that are already supported by prominent artists, labels and brands including DJ/Producer Mason, BAM! Popauteurs, fabric, Mobilee, Glasgow Underground, Good Company, Buma/Stemra, Data Transmission, Neighbourhood, LabelWorx, Your Army, and Aslice.

Through a passionate keynote speech at this year’s IMS Ibiza, Dutch DJ and Producer Frank Nitzinsky explained that the research underpinning the campaign shows that on average, only 3% of a DJ’s set is music that they have produced themselves and up to 90% of DJ performance content shared on Instagram does not credit the music being played in the video. These emotive video clips of DJ sets and events are the basis for marketing campaigns by artists, labels, promoters and many other media outlets, often reaching millions of viewers and potential fans.

Without proper attribution, the powerful moments created by another artist’s music only benefits the DJ playing the track, or the account sharing the clip. The #RespectTheCreators campaign aims to educate artists, fans, and industry professionals to affect a change in the way we credit the work of others across social media.

There are many reasons suggested as to why music is not credited – from apathy or being unaware of the impact, to the age-old DJ culture trope of gatekeeping the best tracks – but the organisers of the campaign argue that above all, an attitude of respect towards other creators is in the DNA of electronic music culture and should be applied to social media too.

The campaign emphasises the necessity of a healthy ecosystem that promotes talent from the ground up, firmly supporting artists’ fundamental right to be credited for their work. DJ culture cannot be an exception – as creators and curators, there is a collective responsibility.

Whether using tools provided by platforms like Instagram and Facebook to add music to posts via stickers, or simply include the artist and song title in the caption – the campaign urges individuals across the music industry to consider their content and respect the creators of the music they love whenever they post online.

How can you #RespectTheCreators?

Supporting creators is simple:

DJs: when you post a video of a gig or a mix and the music isn’t yours, tag the artists, and list the full names of the tracks in the most visible part of your post.

Online platforms: include track lists for all sets, visible directly below the video or audio.

Promoters: credit the music featured in all your promotional materials for events.

Support the cause and download the assets here!

Supporter Quotes

"#RespectTheCreators may seem like a straightforward initiative, but encouraging people to share and credit new music addresses significant challenges in the discoverability of emerging artists. It also serves as a reminder for individuals to consider their metadata, which can directly enhance income through royalty collection. While white label and dubplate culture should be celebrated, the use of generic 'original audio' tags on social media does little to support artists. We encourage everyone to acknowledge and promote the team behind a record's production and release." – Finlay Johnson, AFEM

“Even though crediting music DJs play hasn’t been common since the beginning of dance music, that doesn’t mean it’s right. Giving credits to the music you use doesn’t cost a thing, it’s the moral right thing to do to support talent, and you wouldn’t see this practice in any other art form. Let’s also not forget we’re not in the age of taping off vinyl: this is about professional video footage of the most impressive few seconds of a DJ set, posted on massive online marketing platforms.”- Mason, BAM! Popauteurs

“fabric's group of labels are happy to support and highlight the Respect the Creators campaign; we have always sought to represent the unsung heroes and creators within physical release formats but will look at ways we can improve to credit the creators across our online media in conjunction with the artists.” – Hiroki Beck, fabric

“I thought supporting the community and the musicians who make the musical structure that our scene (and DJs) stand on was simply common decency (and sense). So why do we see so many social media posts from DJs, promoters and festivals that completely fail to tag the music being played in the clips? It’s disrespectful and only takes further advantage of the musicians who are already struggling for recognition and a fair share of the economic pie of our “beautiful” culture.” – Richie Hawtin

"Crediting and tagging the producers and songs played in social media content is one of the easiest ways a DJ can show support. The culture of electronic music is all about community, and that culture can be shifted forward through positive action. This campaign is the first of many movements that treat respect, acknowledgement, and equity for music makers as paramount. Full support." – Ethan Holben, Aslice

"A video clip going wild on socials can decide about the success of a release these days.
Many trending DJs have a large amount of followers and give a massive boost to a track if it’s in their music collection and it gets played out in public. Let’s make sure the song and producer get the deserved credit so fans can search it up on Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer or Beatport." – Ralf Kollman, Mobilee

“It’s not only great but also necessary to respect the creators of all the wonderful, innovative, emotional, impressive and mindblowing music we’re dancing or raving to! Giving the creators a name, will not only give them exposure but helps them to build a career in music.” – Frank Helmink, Buma/Stemra

“At Glasgow Underground, we fully support #RespectTheCreators. If you are DJ sharing music online and not crediting the creators, you are damaging the artistic community you rely on for your music. Unless there is a solid legal reason for not sharing, everyone should credit the creators involved. However, we don’t think DJs are the sole culprits. The DJ stores have way too much blatantly infringing content on them that is, strangely, not available on other platforms. And too many producers are passing off lesser-known samples as their creations. It’s time for everyone in the music industry to #RespectTheCreators.” – Kevin McKay, Glasgow Underground