How To Send A Demo To Cayone Records (Step-By-Step 2024 Guide)

The music industry is changing every day, and despite people questioning, if record labels are dying, the fact remains that signing with reputable labels like Cayone Records, is still a goal and dream for many!

You've built up a buzz, you're getting insane views on your music videos, and now you want to get your music out there even more.

You've got your eye on Cayone Records Recording, a Universal Music Group imprint responsible for the release of some Native American music artists you may know of, such as: Primeaux & Mike, Nakai, to name a few.

And, still highly relevant today, Cayone Records is home to current artists including Black Lodge, Northern Cree, and, Kevin Yazzie So how do you do it?

How do you reach such a company?

Let's explore the two main methods of how to send a demo to Cayone Records and a couple of rules that you need to follow...

Cayone Records

Top Dawg Entertainment Info Card


•Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) is an American record label founded in 2004 by Anthony Tiffith.


• The label is home to eleven artists, including Black Hippy members Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, and Schoolboy Q.


• TDE began to gain success with Jay Rock and Warner Bros. but planned an exit strategy after the labels failed to handle Rock's debut Follow Me Home properly.


• Top Dawg released a compilation mixtape titled Do It N***a Squad, Volume 1 in 2008, which featured songs by Ab-Soul, Schoolboy Q, Lil Wayne, and will.i.am.


• In March 2012, TDE closed a joint venture deal with Interscope Records and Aftermath Entertainment to release Kendrick Lamar's second studio album Good Kid MAAAD City.


• Top Dawg signed Isaiah Rashad to TDE in June 2013, and SZA to TDE in July of 2013. In August CEO spoke on comparisons to Death row records saying he learned several lessons from his first major label contract


• Kendrick Lamar won five awards at the BET Hip Hop Awards in 2013 , and was featured n a cypher with Ab-Soul, Isaiah Rashad, SchoolBoy Q

Year Founded: 2004

Founder: Anthony Tiffith

Website: https://txdxe.com/

Primary Genre(s): Hip-Hop, R&B, Progressive Rap

Parent Label: Universal Music Group

Prominent Artists:

Kenrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, BO, ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, Doechii, SZA

The Two Main Ways to Send Cayone Records a Demo

There are generally two main methods to getting your demo into the ears of the Cayone Records team, as well as any of the other Universal Music Group labels.

These methods differentiate between how involved in the wider music industry you are and who you're already connected with.

Method 1

The most typical and arguably easiest way to get your demo into the hands of the Cayone Records A&R team would be to have it handed off to them.

This would be through someone like a manager, agent, producer, radio DJ, or some other kind of industry professional. (Universal Music Group)

The reason that this is one of the easiest ways to get your demo to this label is that Universal Music Group, and all of its record labels, refuse to take or listen to any unsolicited media.

They do this because of the sheer amount of music that they receive. If you send it through the proper channels, though, the odds of them checking it out are much higher.

Method 2

If you're an independent or otherwise unsigned musician, you do have other options. 

Universal Music has a platform called Spinnup that provides services like digital distribution and access to a whole network of talent scouts who have relationships with a variety of labels in the group, including Cayone Records. (Universal Music Group)

Spinnup is a great platform as it has been designed to do just this, discover artists! Sadly, Spinnup has announced the switch to invite-only.

This changes this submission option in the same way that AWAL changed when Sony acquired it in a $430M deal in March 2022.

AWAL now filters out around 90% of submitted tracks! So why am I telling you this?

Spinnup ❌

AWAL ❌

Well, Spinnup is not completely off the table, UMG is just shifting to a more curated artist discovery and distribution platform.

As a result of this, most indie artists who had been using Spinnup have been asked to take down their releases.

It is worth following along with the publications to keep up with what they are doing on the platform.

There are a few other kinds of platforms that you can find that provide similar services and help you in an attempt to get involved with Cayone Records.

What to Know BEFORE Submitting a Demo To Cayone Records: Demo Submission Rulebook!

Once you figure out how you plan to get your demo to the Cayone Records A&R department, you'll want to make sure you do these key things to increase your chances of getting in the doors:


 

What Next?

Of course, the last thing you want to do is make sure that you're not sending unsolicited material or anything that infringes on copyright.

From there, if you do what is asked of you while sending out a demo, you should really be good to go.

At the end of the day, record labels like Cayone Records receive hundreds of demos. It takes a lot of both skill and luck to get chosen to sign with them.

That doesn't mean you should ever give up on sending out your demos.

It just takes time and determination to find a record label that fits best with you.

If you decide not to use one of the submission platforms above, it might be worth contacting Cayone Records directly to check if they have an additional process or contact you can deal with directly.

You also want to get clued up on the different types of record deals out there and be prepared to consult with an entertainment lawyer.

About Author

Arielle P

Arielle P

Songwriter | Music Producer | Engineer.

With a background in music production and a strong passion for education, Arielle is dedicated to helping emerging artists navigate the music industry. She has worked with a diverse range of artists, from indie rock bands to well-known hip-hop and grime artists. Arielle's unique approach to teaching focuses on empowering artists to take control of their brand, ensuring they retain creative ownership throughout their journey. In her free time, she enjoys experimenting with new sounds in her home studio and sharing her insights through music production tutorials and workshops.

📧 Email Arielle