Steve Stoute's UnitedMasters gives artists a chance to win $250,000

Steve Stoute's longtime distribution company, UnitedMasters, is giving independent artists a chance to win a grand prize worth $250,000.

UnitedMasters launches new challenge for Indie artists

On Tuesday (August 13), UnitedMasters announced the “Make Your Debut” challenge. The contest invites US-based artists who are members of the platform to submit tracks for a chance to win a $250,000 grand prize and join UnitedMasters' elite partner roster. The contest coincides with the launch of UM's new DEBUT+ tier, priced at $19.99 per year. The tier allows aspiring artists to take their music to major streaming platforms while retaining 100% of their rights.

See the terms and conditions of the competition here.

Who is UnitedMasters?

Steve Stoute launched UnitedMasters in 2017 with $70 million in funding from Silicon Valley investors including companies such as Alphabet Inc., Andreessen Horowitz and 21st Century Fox, with NewsCorp sharing joint ownership.

“We want to build a business that helps musicians, which is my passion, and also helps brands find a much more specific way to invest their money in the music category,” Stoute said at the time.

In addition to distribution, UnitedMasters also provides data analytics, marketing and promotion tools, and creative services to help artists grow their audiences. The label now has a working relationship with artists such as NLE Choppa, Brent Faiez, BigXThaPlug, Tobe Nwigwe, EarthGang, Anycia and more.

“We want to have a lot more artists have the opportunity and the ability to get their music out there,” Stoute recently said on an episode of XXL'small Inside the track podcast. “To be able to put their music in brand campaigns, which is what the subscription services at UnitedMasters have, whether it's Select or DEBUT+. They make a living.”