For Independent Artists
Best Tools for Independent R&B Artists
The exact distribution and playlist-pitching stack Dante Staples uses to build Voicella.
Last updated May 2026 · By Dante Staples
The Voicella Studio Stack
Building Voicella as an independent R&B artist means making smart decisions about every tool in the stack. After trying multiple distribution and promotion platforms, these are the two I use every day to get Voicella music in front of listeners worldwide. I'm sharing my personal referral links because they save you real money — and because every signup supports independent music at no extra cost to you.
— Dante Staples
Distribute Your Music — DistroKid
DistroKid is the fastest, most affordable way for independent artists to release music on every major streaming platform. Unlike distributors that charge per release, DistroKid lets you upload unlimited songs and albums for a single flat annual fee — making it the only choice that scales with how often you create. Releases typically go live within 24 to 48 hours, you keep 100% of your royalties, and you control your release dates, splits, and metadata. Every Voicella song you've ever streamed was distributed through DistroKid.
- Spotify
- Apple Music
- YouTube Music
- TikTok
- Amazon Music
- 35+ platforms
Pitch to Playlist Curators — SubmitHub
SubmitHub connects independent artists directly with real human playlist curators, music blogs, YouTube channels, and influencers. You spend credits to pitch songs, curators are required to listen for a minimum number of seconds, and you get either a placement or written feedback every time. That accountability is what makes it different from the spam-and-pray approach. Playlist placement drives consistent, real streams from listeners who actually want your sound — and Voicella uses SubmitHub on every release to find the curators who fit.
- Real human curators
- Blogs & playlists
- Guaranteed feedback
- Credits system
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, unlimited releases for one flat annual fee beats per-release pricing at any volume above 2 songs per year.
For independent R&B artists, DistroKid is the strongest all-around choice. It pushes to every platform R&B listeners actually use — Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Tidal, Amazon Music, Audiomack — with fast turnaround, unlimited releases, and 100% royalty retention. R&B fans discover music through algorithmic playlists like RnB X and Are & Be, which DistroKid releases qualify for from day one.
Spotify pays roughly $0.003 to $0.005 per stream, so it takes around 250 to 350 streams to earn $1 and roughly 250,000 to 350,000 streams to earn $1,000. The exact rate varies by listener country, subscription tier, and time of year. The artists who make real money combine consistent releases (DistroKid) with active playlist pitching (SubmitHub) so streams compound.
Most DistroKid releases appear on Spotify within 24 to 48 hours after upload, and Apple Music typically follows within the same window. To guarantee a specific release date and qualify for editorial pitching, schedule your release at least 2 to 4 weeks in advance.
Yes, if you use it strategically. SubmitHub's value is the guarantee — every curator must listen for a minimum time and either approve your song or send written feedback. Pair targeted submissions with strong song selection and you'll see real playlist placements, blog features, and stream growth.
Click the link, discount is applied automatically at checkout on SubmitHub credits.
Yes — all 70 Voicella songs were distributed through DistroKid and pitched via SubmitHub.
Voicella is an independent R&B music brand created by Las Vegas artist and author Dante Staples. Stream on Spotify and Apple Music.
More From Voicella
These are tools I personally use. When you sign up through my links, it supports Voicella music at no extra cost to you.