Kugou
Market: China
Overview
Kugou (Kugou Music) is one of the music apps Tencent Music Entertainment (TME) operates in China, alongside QQ Music, Kuwo and WeSing. TME’s platform spans online music, online audio, online karaoke and music-centric live streaming.
Market / Platform Focus
Kugou serves listeners in China. Chinese platforms take catalogue under a licensing and sub-licensing model, and Chinese-language titles and artist names help listeners there find your release.
Yes — LabelGrid delivers your releases to Kugou. Distribution is included on every distribution plan, for record labels, distributors, and independent artists alike.
KUGOU AT A GLANCE
- Go-live: LabelGrid reviews your release before delivery; timing on Kugou varies by release, so submit at least 2 weeks ahead.
- Delivery route: Kugou is a music service in China; LabelGrid delivers to it through its Tencent outlet, which covers QQ Music, Kugou, Kuwo and WeSing.
- Audio & artwork: LabelGrid’s upload rules apply — a lossless WAV or FLAC master and square cover art of at least 3000×3000 px.
- Territory: China.
- Metadata: an ISRC per track and a UPC/EAN for the release — LabelGrid assigns both automatically if you do not have your own.
- Royalties: tracked in LabelGrid’s royalty accounting with automated splits from the Basic plan up.
LABELGRID
LabelGrid Integration
LabelGrid delivers your music and its metadata to Kugou through its Tencent outlet, which also covers QQ Music, Kuwo and WeSing. Add Chinese-language titles and artist names where you have them to help listeners in China find your release.
Getting Started
To release music on Kugou via LabelGrid, prepare your audio, artwork, and metadata according to our specifications. Select the Tencent outlet when scheduling your release (it delivers to Kugou together with QQ Music, Kuwo and WeSing), and our system will manage ingestion, compliance, and delivery.
LabelGrid provides the tools you need beyond distribution: catalog management for your metadata and releases, royalty accounting with automated artist statements from the Basic plan up, and promotion tools including smart links and Spotify pre-saves.
Kugou delivery specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Audio formats accepted | LabelGrid’s upload rule: a lossless WAV or FLAC master (MP3 is not accepted); WAV 16-bit or higher, FLAC 16-bit |
| Artwork requirements | LabelGrid’s upload rule: square (1:1), at least 3000×3000 px, JPG or PNG; original cover art without URLs or advertising |
| Metadata required | ISRC per track and a UPC/EAN barcode (12 or 13 digits); LabelGrid assigns both automatically if you do not supply your own |
| Territory / availability | China |
| Monetization model | Subscription-led streaming within the Tencent Music Entertainment (TME) ecosystem, alongside TME’s social-entertainment services; royalties tracked in LabelGrid accounting with automated splits from the Basic plan up |
| Delivery route | Delivered through LabelGrid’s Tencent outlet, which covers QQ Music, Kugou, Kuwo and WeSing |
| Typical go-live after submission | Varies by release; LabelGrid reviews your release before delivery, so submit at least 2 weeks ahead |
| Delivery method | Delivery by LabelGrid |
The audio and artwork values above are LabelGrid’s own upload requirements; Kugou’s own requirements can change.
How long until my release is live on Kugou?
Timing varies by release. LabelGrid reviews your release, then delivers it to Kugou through its Tencent outlet. Planning a specific release date? Submit at least 2 weeks ahead to leave room for review and delivery.
Related: music distribution · royalty accounting · automated royalty splits · pricing · compare distributors · LabelGrid for labels · LabelGrid help center
WHY KUGOU
Artist Benefits
Distributing through the Tencent outlet puts your releases on Kugou and the other TME apps (QQ Music, Kuwo and WeSing), where fans listen, sing and socialize around music.
Key Features
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Part of Tencent Music Entertainment, alongside QQ Music, Kuwo and WeSing
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One Tencent delivery reaches all four TME apps
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Streaming alongside online karaoke and music-centric live streaming
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Royalties tracked in LabelGrid’s royalty accounting
DEEP DIVE
What You Should Know About Kugou
Part of Tencent Music Entertainment
Kugou is one of the music apps operated by Tencent Music Entertainment (TME), alongside QQ Music, Kuwo and WeSing. TME earns revenue from two lines: online music services, led by subscriptions, and social entertainment services such as online karaoke and live streaming.
Karaoke & Social
Karaoke is part of the TME ecosystem Kugou belongs to. TME runs online karaoke and music-centric live streaming alongside its streaming apps, and earns that revenue mainly from virtual gifts fans send to singers and performers.
Tips for Success
- Selecting the Tencent outlet delivers to QQ Music, Kuwo and WeSing as well as Kugou, so one delivery covers the TME apps
- Add Chinese-language titles and artist names where you have them
- Submit at least 2 weeks before your release date to leave time for review and delivery
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
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