How to Change Your Artist Name Without Losing Your Fans and Assets

Let’s say you’ve grown as an artist. That is, your artistry has evolved. And because of this, you want to change your stage name to something that reflects where you’re going.

This is a move in the right direction, but a name change is not just a switch in branding. It’s a delicate operation that takes cautious steps.

Done wrong, it can erase years of growth. Your streams, royalties, and recognition can be all gone within a minute. But if you do it right, it can signal a powerful new chapter in your career, while keeping all your wins intact.

We’ve structured this piece to help you rebrand smart, so you can sustain your win:

1. Let Your Distributor Know — First

Before you even announce the change to fans, loop in your distributor.

Why?

Because they’re the ones who can properly request a new artist profile or update your existing one. Skipping this step is how songs end up on someone else’s profile — or lost in the system entirely.

Some of our artists who have skipped this step have had to complain about the consequences mentioned above. If they had come to us first, we would have helped them get it right from the backend, where it matters most.

2. Make Sure No One Else Owns the Name

This is crucial.

You might think your new name is genius. Yes, you crafted it yourself, so you think it’s perfect and unique to you.

But 10 other artists across the globe probably think the same. So you need to be sure.

Before you commit, check for trademarks. Search Spotify, Apple Music, Instagram, YouTube, even TikTok.

If someone else is already operating under that name — especially with legal protection — your rebrand could land you in court or force you to rebrand again.

3. Link the Old to the New

Don’t ghost your past self. If you already have fans, use your old artist profile to point them to your new one. Drop a final message there. Update your bio. Pin your new name in the captions and track titles. Direct traffic like your life depends on it — because it kind of does.

Your growth should feel like a story, not a disappearance.

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3. Announce Loud and Often

People scroll real fast, so you can’t say it once and assume everyone caught it.

So treat your rebrand like it’s a campaign. Talk about it and share the “why.” By the time you drop new works under your new name, there’ll be no surprises.

4. Update All Your Royalties and Rights Accounts

This is the one that artists forget until the money stops showing up.

Your new name needs to match across ASCAP, BMI, PRS, SoundExchange, your publishing admin, and your distributor.

If there’s a mismatch, you risk delays, missing royalties, or even unclaimed earnings sitting in limbo.

Money loves clarity, so give it the path.

6. Get Your Metadata Tight

This tells the DSPs where your song belongs. A small mistake like a name mismatch or misspelling can cause disasters like your track landing in the wrong catalog, on the wrong profile, or trigger a copyright flag.

Don’t wing it. Work with a distributor (like 260vibes Global) who knows how to handle metadata with precision.

More than a Creative Decision

As much as it’s a creative move, it is also technical and strategic. This is why you should not get it wrong.

Approach it with intention, clarity, plus the right support. This way, you won’t lose momentum. You are able to carry your earnings into your next chapter, with nothing lost and everything gained.