Getting your music heard by the right people can open many doors for you and your release. When it comes to building momentum for a release, targeting the right tastemakers, the curators, bloggers, DJs, reviewers and playlist owners who shape what people listen to in your niche is one of the smartest moves you can make.
Why It Matters
A single co-sign from the right person can change everything. Tastemakers not only amplify your sound to new audiences, but they also add credibility that’s hard to buy. When they share your track, they’re essentially saying, “this is worth your time.”
Finding and connecting with the right people ahead of your release helps you:
- Expand your reach – put your music in front of listeners beyond your existing audience.
- Build credibility – social proof from tastemakers builds trust and authority.
- Fuel momentum – every post, spin, or playlist add compounds your pre-release buzz.
How to Find the Right Tastemakers
1. Start With Your Genre & Scene
List your musical lane and target audience and then find the platforms and people who already support similar artists like yourself.
What to look for:
- Spotify and Apple Music playlist curators
- YouTube, Instagram and TikTok music reviewers
- Radio presenters or podcasters
- Journalists and bloggers
- Local DJs or promoters
- Don’t sleep on LinkedIn, you can find out who’s who in the industry really easily on LinkedIn!
2. Research Smart
When you find a tastemaker that fits, look for patterns: who they post about, what tone they use, what type of content they love and what they are looking for. This helps you approach them with something that feels personal, not copy-pasted.
3. Find Their Contact Info
You might find this on their email written in their Instagram bio, or failing that you can drop them a DM.
4. Craft a Pitch That Cuts Through
Keep it short, clear, and human.
- Personalise: Mention why you’re reaching out to them specifically.
- Hook them early: Lead with the story behind your track or a unique moment from your journey.
- Make it easy: Include streaming links (Spotify, private SoundCloud, or Smart Link) and one line about your release date and key info.
Example:
“Hey [Name], I’ve been following your playlist/blog for a while - love how you spotlight new UK R&B artists. I’ve got a track dropping next month that I think your audience would connect with. I’ve left some links below for you to check out:
Music - <link>Instagram - <link>”
5. Track Your Outreach
Keep a simple spreadsheet of who you’ve contacted, when, and whether they responded. Relationships grow over time, consistency and professionalism go a long way.
The right tastemaker outreach can elevate your campaign from DIY to discovered. It’s not just about getting featured, it’s about building relationships with people who genuinely care about music like yours.
So before your release goes live, set aside half an hour to identify those key voices, make your list, and start your outreach. The ripple effects can last long after release day.
Ready to pitch your music to Spotify and Apple Music editors?
Head back to the un:hurd app to explore more tools and resources for playlist promotion.
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