Step-by-Step Guide to Upload Hausa Songs on Spotify

Sannu. I remember the first time I saw my cousin, Aminu, play a brand new Hausa single for the neighbourhood on a borrowed Bluetooth speaker. People stopped, nodded, and asked where they could stream it. He had the song, the voice, and the feeling, but no idea how to make it live on the platforms his listeners used every day. That afternoon I sat down with him and that became our crash course in how to upload Hausa music on Spotify. This guide is the version I wish we had then. It is practical, step-by-step, and written for Arewa artists who want their songs to stream worldwide.

Below you will find everything from preparing the audio to claiming your Spotify profile and pitching for playlists. Follow it and you will move from studio file to a live release that your fans can share.

Why Spotify matters for Hausa artists

Spotify is one of the main places people listen to music globally. For an Arewa artist, being on Spotify means your music can reach Nigerians in Lagos and Kano, diasporas in London and Minneapolis, and anyone searching for Hausa sounds. The route onto Spotify usually runs through a digital distributor. Spotify lists official distributor partners on their provider directory and many artists use those services to get their music into the store. (Spotify for Artists)

Quick overview — the 8-step map

1. Finish and export the final audio
2. Prepare cover art and meta details
3. Choose a digital distributor
4. Upload to the distributor with correct metadata
5. Get ISRC and UPC registered
6. Schedule release and submit to Spotify for Artists
7. Pitch for playlists and activate Campaign Kit tools
8. Promote release and track performance

Each step is written with practical examples and tips for Hausa artists below.

1. Produce and export a final master ready for streaming

Quality matters. Your file must be clean and final.

Practical checklist

• Export as a high-quality WAV 16-bit or 24-bit file at 44.1 kHz or higher.
• Remove long silences at the start and end.
• Name the file this way: ArtistName_SongTitle_Version_Final.wav.
• Keep stems and the project file safely backed up.

Tip for local studios: before you export, play the file on phone speakers, Bluetooth speaker, and car radio. If it sounds okay on small speakers, it will work for most listeners.

2. Prepare cover art and visual assets

Streaming stores require a square cover image. Bad art looks unprofessional even if the song is strong.

Cover art rules

• Size: at least 3000 x 3000 pixels recommended.
• Format: JPEG or PNG.
• No URLs, no extra text that looks like promo.
• Keep important faces or text inside the central safe area so thumbnails still read well.

Local feel idea: use natural textures or patterns connected to Hausa culture. Subtle Hausa script or local fabrics can give identity without crowding the image.

3. Choose the right digital distributor

You cannot upload directly to Spotify as an independent artist. You need a distributor or aggregator to deliver your track to streaming platforms. Spotify highlights a set of provider partners and many artists choose services like DistroKid, TuneCore, or CD Baby to distribute music. (Spotify for Artists, DistroKid, TuneCore)

How to pick

• Cost model: yearly subscription or per-release fee.
• Royalties: do you keep 100 percent or share with the distributor.
• Extras: does the service provide marketing tools, publishing options, or YouTube monetization.
• Speed and reliability: some distributors deliver faster or provide better metadata support.

Practical choices for Nigerian/Arewa artists

• If you plan many releases, a subscription service that allows unlimited uploads can be cheaper.
• If you want support for publishing and sync licensing, consider services that include that option or provide add-ons.

Small table idea (quick view)

• DistroKid: keeps 100 percent royalties, subscription style. (DistroKid)
• TuneCore: per-release fees, detailed reporting. (TuneCore)
• CD Baby: one-time fees, additional services like sync and publishing help. (support.cdbaby.com)

4. Upload to the distributor with correct metadata

This is where mistakes break releases. Be precise.

Required metadata

• Artist name exactly how you want it shown
• Track title including featuring credits
• Release type: single, EP, album
• Release date and territory
• Language and genre tags
• Composer and songwriter credits
• Explicit tag if applicable

How to enter featuring artists

• Use the platform field for primary and featuring artists, not in the track title itself. That ensures accurate streaming splits and searchable credits.

Common errors to avoid

• Different spellings of artist name across releases
• Wrong capitalization that fragments Spotify profile pages
• Missing songwriter or composer credits that block publishing claims

5. ISRC and UPC explained and why they matter

Two codes matter in digital distribution. You will usually get these from your distributor but you should know what they do.

• ISRC identifies a recording. Each track needs its own ISRC.
• UPC identifies a whole release like a single or album.

These codes help track streams and pay royalties. Make sure your distributor assigns them and that you keep a record. If you register directly, the industry has clear standards and services like major distributors and metadata sources explain how ISRC and UPC work. (support.landr.com, Octiive)

6. Schedule the release and claim Spotify for Artists

Once your distributor has accepted the upload and assigned codes, pick a release date. You should allow time for delivery and playlist pitching.

Claim your profile

• After your music is live or in delivery, claim your Spotify for Artists account to manage your profile, add photos, and view analytics. Spotify explains how to get access and verify your identity on the artists portal. (Spotify for Artists, Spotify)

Practical timing

• Upload in good time. Distributors vary in delivery time. Some report a window of a few days to a week for delivery to Spotify depending on the provider. Allow at least 2 to 3 weeks if you plan marketing and playlist pitching. (Ari’s Take)

7. Pitch your song in Spotify for Artists and use Campaign Kit

Spotify for Artists is the portal for playlist submissions and promotional tools. You can only submit unreleased songs for editorial consideration through Spotify for Artists. The platform asks that you submit at least seven days before release for editorial consideration and Release Radar inclusion. (Spotify, Spotify for Artists)

How to pitch — step by step

1. Make sure your release is in the distributor queue and flagged as upcoming.
2. Log in to Spotify for Artists.
3. Choose the upcoming release and select “Submit a Song” or “Pitch a Song”.
4. Write a concise pitch. Mention mood, tempo, instrumentation, and why it matters to listeners.
5. Add language and genre tags and the track’s context for editors.

Use Campaign Kit and other tools

• Spotify offers Campaign Kit which bundles tools like playlist pitching, Marquee, Discovery Mode, and promotional assets. These can help reach new listeners once you meet eligibility requirements. Use them wisely and measure results. (Spotify for Artists)

Real tip: Do not write a long biography in the pitch. Editors look for clear signals: what moment does this song fit, what audience, and why now. Keep it short and real.

8. Promote the release and measure early signals

Streaming success is partly the music and partly what you do after release.

Promotion checklist

• Link to Spotify pre-save or pre-add pages on socials.
• Send the release to local DJs and radio stations with a short press kit.
• Make short videos for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts using the song.
• Ask fans to follow the artist profile on Spotify so your Release Radar works for them.

Measure and iterate

• Watch streams, saves, and playlist adds in Spotify for Artists.
• Pay attention to listener locations. If many listeners are in Kano or Kaduna, plan shows and radio calls there.
• Use data to guide your next release timing and ad spending.

Case Study — Aisha from Kaduna

Aisha is an example but it is realistic. She recorded a Hausa single with a producer in Kaduna. Here is what she did.

1. Mastered the track and exported a WAV file.
2. Designed cover art using local tie-dye motifs and a studio photo.
3. Picked DistroKid to avoid per-release fees.
4. Uploaded the track, filled metadata correctly, and confirmed the ISRC codes provided by DistroKid.
5. Scheduled the release three weeks out to allow for playlist pitching.
6. Claimed her Spotify for Artists profile once the distributor confirmed delivery.
7. Pitched the track seven days before release and used Campaign Kit assets to run a small Marquee test in Nigeria.
8. Promoted through local radio and targeted social posts.

Result: first month streams grew, she was added to a few community playlists, and she booked a local show. The key moves were proper metadata, early pitching, and local promotion.

Believable quotes from experts and fans

“Get your metadata right at upload. One wrong name and your profile splits into two. That kills discovery.”
Mallam Sani, Lagos radio DJ and independent A&R.

“I followed a simple pitch template and my track got into Release Radar for many of my followers. It made a clear difference.”
Fatima Bello, Arewa music fan and playlist curator.

“Pick a distributor that fits your release frequency. If you plan many singles, subscription services can save you money.”
Industry Manager, Lagos based independent label.

Actionable insights — what to do today

• Export your final master as WAV and name the file clearly.
• Create a 3000 x 3000 px cover and keep the important elements in the center.
• Choose a distributor and open an account today.
• Make a release plan with at least two weeks buffer before the release date.
• Claim Spotify for Artists as soon as your music is in delivery.
• Pitch your song at least 7 days before release for playlist consideration. (Spotify)

FAQs

Common mistakes to avoid

• Uploading with inconsistent artist name spellings.
• Forgetting to mark tracks explicit where needed.
• Leaving composer/songwriter credits blank.
• Scheduling a release without enough lead time for playlist pitching.
• Using low resolution cover art.

Final words and call to action

If you are a Hausa artist, the world is listening. The technical steps are not the hardest part. The real work is making music that moves people and then being consistent with releases and promotion. Start with one single, follow these steps, and use the data to improve the next release. If you tried any of these steps already, tell us what worked and what did not. Share this guide with a fellow Arewa artist who needs it.

Please comment below with your current release stage. I will respond to practical questions about metadata, distributor choice, or how to write a short playlist pitch.

Author Bio
I write for Hausasong.com and cover Hausa music and culture. I work with upcoming Arewa artists to turn studio tracks into streaming releases, and I keep a close eye on how streaming platforms treat regional music.