Celebrating 25 Years of Empowering Independent Music: CD Baby's Remarkable Journey

Founded by musicians for musicians – CD Baby have been steady hand guiding artists through the music industry’s evolution Since 1998. Our approach is simple: empower you, protect your rights, and pay you every week. That’s a promise we’ve kept for over 1,300 weeks and counting!

A Quarter-century of Making the World a Stage for Independent Artists!

As we hit the 25-year mark at CD Baby, it’s time to take a joyful stroll down memory lane, celebrating our journey from a pioneering startup to a global leader in music distribution. 

Picture this: over 2 million artists, nearly 20 million tracks, and an unstoppable mission to democratize music distribution. From humble beginnings to a sprawling network that reaches 150+ digital services worldwide, we are proud to have represented countless independent artists.

Celebrating 25 Years of Empowering Independent Music: CD Baby's Remarkable JourneyCD Baby’s first official website in 1998.

Over the years, our platform has evolved, offering tools like the Release Plan Generator, access to top-tier music marketing tools, and most importantly, a lifetime of distribution for a one-time fee. No subscription fees and no hidden costs –  EVER! Just pure musical passion.

CD Baby's official site in 2010CD Baby’s official site in 2010

Hear from the proud humans who make CD Baby the most trusted global home for indie artists

“Starting as a rep in the music industry, I was thrilled to help independent artists reach fans through streaming and download services. As I gained industry knowledge, my understanding of how to assist these artists with our products and services deepened, especially during the shift from physical formats to streaming. Now, as an ARTS supervisor, I find fulfillment in ensuring our staff is well-equipped with information, materials, and support to assist clients with their distribution needs. We invest significant effort in updating guidelines and ensuring our team can help artists build strong relationships with partners and fans. It brings me immense joy and pride to aid in the career advancement of both clients and staff in an industry I am passionate about.” Terry B. Artists Supervisor 

“I always felt proud to work for CD Baby at the DIY Musician Conference. Watching it evolve from the very beginning in 2015 to what it became in 2022 was so special and I feel lucky to have been a part of it. Meeting our artists in person and watching them collaborate with one another solidified that the work we do is essential to so many creatives in the world. At the end of each exhausting DIY Con, I always felt so invigorated! I hope our artists did too” Veronica Faber – Operations Project Manager

Empowering the Artist of Tomorrow

Looking to the future, CD Baby remains at the forefront, continually adapting to the dynamic music industry. We are more than just a distribution channel; we’re a gateway to new opportunities, a champion of the indie spirit, and a trusted guide in an artist’s journey to success.

Celebrating 25 Years of Empowering Independent Music: CD Baby's Remarkable JourneyQuestlove at the CD Baby’s DIY Musician Conference in 2019

As we hit this milestone, we’re not just celebrating our past but also toasting to the future – your future in the ever-vibrant world of music. We’re proud to have been part of your journey and can’t wait to see where your music takes you next. 

CD Baby has created over 6,000 educational resources for artists, a truly remarkable achievement!

 

DIY Musician Conference In Valencia, Spain, 2019

Celebrating 25 years of groundbreaking innovation, community building, and harmonious melodies, we’re thrilled by the resilience and ingenuity of independent musicians. 

In honor of CD Baby’s 25th anniversary, we’ve got a spectacular offer for you: enjoy a whopping 50% discount on all single and album releases as well as CDB Boost

Here’s to a fabulous 25-year journey filled with music, and to the exciting road ahead. Let’s continue to fuel the fire of independent music together!