Featured Artist Agreement Template - Direct Artist Deal

When a featured artist signs directly — no loan-out, no furnishing company, just them and you — this is the agreement that makes it official. This Featured Artist Agreement Template is structured for direct deals: the featured artist signs in their individual capacity, confirms their performance is theirs to license, and the deal is documented in full. Royalty participation, publishing split, credit terms, and master ownership — all in one document.

Drafted by an entertainment attorney who structures featured artist deals for independent artists, producers, and indie labels.

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What's Included

The Direct Artist Structure

• Direct Signatory — The featured artist signs in their own name, confirming they have the full legal authority to license their performance — no company, no representative signing on their behalf.
• Capacity Representation — Artist confirms they are not under an exclusive recording agreement that would prohibit the featured appearance, and that no third-party approval is required.
• Sole Ownership of Performance — Artist warrants they solely own the rights to their recorded performance and that no third party (manager, label, prior agreement) has a claim on it.

Compensation

• Royalty Rate — Featured artist's percentage of net master receipts (streaming, downloads, physical, sync) stated clearly and unambiguously.
• Upfront Fee Option — Optional advance or flat fee that can be structured as recoupable or non-recoupable depending on your negotiation.
• Accounting & Payment Schedule — Quarterly or semi-annual accounting periods, with a defined deadline for statements and accompanying payment.

Publishing

• Songwriting Contribution — If the featured artist contributed to the composition (melody, lyrics, or both), their share of the underlying composition is defined here.
• PRO Registration — Both parties' obligations to register their respective shares with ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC.
• Publishing Administration — Specifies who administers which share of the composition and how mechanical royalties are collected and distributed.

Master Recording Rights

• Work for Hire Classification — The featured artist's recorded performance is classified as a work made for hire, with a copyright assignment fallback.
• Master Ownership Confirmation — The primary artist or label owns the master. Featured artist receives royalties, not ownership.
• Delivery of Performance — Specifies how the featured artist's recorded vocal or performance is to be delivered (stems, file format, deadline).

Credits, Likeness & Promotion

• Credit Format — Required credit language for DSP metadata, physical packaging, and promotional materials.
• Promotional Use of Name & Likeness — Defines what you can use the featured artist's name and image for (press, social media, marketing) and what requires separate approval.
• Release Timing — Optional provision addressing when and how the featured artist may promote the track on their own channels before official release.

Standard Legal Protections

• Warranties & Representations — Featured artist confirms no conflicting exclusivity agreements, no third-party claims, and no uncleared samples in their contribution.
• Indemnification — Mutual protection against claims arising from each party's representations.
• Governing Law — Your choice of state; enforceable across all U.S. jurisdictions.

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Common Mistakes This Template Helps You Avoid

❌ Not confirming the artist is free to appear — If a featured artist is signed to an exclusive label deal, appearing on your track without that label's approval can expose you to a claim from the label. The capacity representation clause puts the responsibility on the artist to confirm they're clear.

❌ No master protection — Without a work-for-hire clause, a featured artist's recorded vocal performance could be characterized as a co-ownership claim on your master recording under copyright law.

❌ Royalty amount "TBD" — Undefined royalty splits are promises waiting to become disputes. This template locks in the number before anyone records.

❌ Likeness use without written authorization — Using a featured artist's name and image in advertising or promotional campaigns without a written grant is a right-of-publicity issue, regardless of what was verbally agreed.

✅ This template covers every dimension of the direct featured artist deal — compensation, rights, credit, and promotion.

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Who This Is For

• Independent artists — featuring another artist directly on a track, without going through their label or management company.
• Indie labels — bringing in a featured artist who is not signed to another label and can contract directly in their own name.
• Producers — building a record around a featured vocalist or rapper who is an independent, unsigned artist.
• Music managers — representing the primary artist and needing a clean template for every direct featured artist collaboration.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How is this different from the Furnishing Company version?
The Furnishing Company version is used when the featured artist's services are provided through their loan-out or furnishing entity — their LLC, corporation, or other business entity signs on their behalf. This Direct Artist Deal version is for situations where the featured artist signs personally, in their own name, without a business entity intermediary. If the artist says "my company handles my deals," you need the Furnishing Company version instead.

What if the featured artist has a manager who handles their contracts?
A manager handling negotiations is different from a company furnishing services. If the featured artist ultimately signs in their own name (even if their manager negotiated the deal), this Direct Artist Deal template applies. If a business entity signs, use the Furnishing Company version.

Can I use this for a one-verse feature where no upfront payment is being made?
Yes. The template accommodates $0 advances — some featured artist deals are pure royalty participation with no upfront fee. The compensation section is fully adjustable to match your specific deal.

What if the featured artist is from another country?
The template is drafted for U.S. law. It can be used for international featured artists, but the governing law clause will specify U.S. jurisdiction. For significant international collaborations, consult an attorney about whether additional provisions are warranted.

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What Happens After Purchase

✅ Instant Download — Word (.docx) file delivered immediately after checkout.
✅ Fully Editable — Fill in royalty rates, fee amounts, credit language, and deal-specific terms in Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
✅ Attorney-Drafted — Capacity representation, work-for-hire, and likeness rights all built in.
✅ Reusable — Use the same template for every direct featured artist deal.

Also available: Featured Artist Agreement - Furnishing Company for artists who contract through a business entity, and Featured Artist Agreement - Royalty & Publishing Split for a different compensation structure.

Need this customized for a specific featured artist deal? Email adam@acfreedmanlaw.com

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*DISCLAIMER: This template is provided as a starting point and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. If the featured artist may be subject to an exclusive recording agreement with another label, consult a qualified entertainment attorney before proceeding.