Recording and delivery
The guest records their part by a set date, at your studio or as 24-bit WAV files; you pay for recording, mixing and mastering.
Featured artist agreement
Featured artist agreement template for a feat. on your song
For when another artist sings or plays on your song: their consent to release it, the feat. credit, what they are paid and their label’s permission if they are signed. In English or Spanish, adjusted to your deal and signed online. Starting from a template uses no credits.
TONTRIA Law guides you and drafts your documents. For a lawsuit or a big negotiation, consult a lawyer.
What the template includes
Consent and master ownership
The guest consents to the release of their performance on the master and its versions (remixes, sped-up, acoustic, the music video audio); the master stays yours. Their part can’t be used in another song without their permission.
Release
You choose the date and give 10 days’ notice. If the song isn’t out within the agreed time, the guest can withdraw their consent.
Credit
The song is credited as “Artist feat. Guest”, with the guest listed as featured artist in the metadata, not as a main artist.
Fee and royalty
A fixed fee, a royalty on the net receipts of the master or both, with statements and the option of paying through your distributor’s revenue split.
Songwriting share
Only if the guest wrote part of the lyrics or music, documented in a split sheet signed by every writer.
The guest’s label
If they have an exclusive deal, the label’s written waiver before release; without it you can delay or release the song without their part.
Promotion, video and live shows
Use of their name and image to promote the song, taking part in the shoot if available, and how each of you performs the song live.
Final mix and AI
The guest approves the treatment of their part within 5 business days, and their voice can’t be used to generate with AI a performance they didn’t give.
When to use it
- Another artist is singing or rapping a verse on your single
- You are the guest and want your credit, fee and royalty in writing before you record
- The guest is signed to a label and you need its permission before the release
- A feat. recorded between friends is about to come out and nothing was written down
Before you sign: what to check
- How the credit will read on the platforms, exactly
- Whether the guest gets a fixed fee, a royalty or both, and how the royalty is paid
- Whether the guest wrote part of the song, and that the split sheet says the same
- Whether the guest is signed, and that the label’s waiver arrives before the release date
- How long you have to release the song before the guest can withdraw
- Who approves the final mix, and in how many days
Splitting the song itself among its writers: split sheet template. The rest of the paperwork an artist signs: music contracts explained.
Frequently asked questions
Is the featured artist agreement template free?
Yes. On the Free plan you can use every template as often as you want; starting from one uses no credits. The Free plan includes 2 documents to sign online each month, and Pro has unlimited signatures. See the plans.
Does a featured artist get a songwriting share?
Not for singing or playing alone. Under this template the guest only has a share of the composition if they wrote part of the lyrics or music, and that share goes in a split sheet signed by every writer, so it is registered the same way everywhere.
Who owns the master of a song with a feat.?
The main artist, as the owner of the recording. The guest keeps what the agreement gives them: the credit, the fee or royalty agreed, their songwriting share if they wrote, and the performer remuneration their collecting society pays them where the law recognises it.
What if the featured artist is signed to a label?
Their label usually has to give written permission. In this template the guest delivers that waiver before the release; if it doesn’t arrive, you can postpone the release or put out the song without their part, and the guest returns any fixed fee received.
Other templates
Know what you are signing
Upload your next contract or start a split sheet today, and get your deals on paper.