An informed artist is a great artist

Submission Guidelines

I watch every submitted video in full before it goes live, and you'll hear from me within 7 days. These are the things I check for, the same criteria I use for every submission. Read them carefully before you submit a video.

General

• Ryzoid is about discovering new music, not amplifying what's already big. Your video stays in rotation until it passes 5,000 views on YouTube, so videos that already have more than that aren't accepted. That's YouTube's own counter: views from anywhere count, not just plays on Ryzoid.
• Your video should be at least 2 minutes and no longer than 6 minutes. This keeps the pacing interesting for viewers.
• AI-generated video content isn't accepted, Ryzoid features only real music videos.
• A lyric video or visualizer (static or loosely animated art synced to audio) doesn't count as a music video.
• Your video should show either performers, a narrative, or be a true filmed production. Not just abstract or generative visuals reacting to the audio.
• Live footage is welcome as part of your video. A straight recording of a live show does not count as a music video, though: the audio should not be a concert recording, and there should be more to see than one camera angle on the stage.
• A static or near-static single image held for the whole video doesn't count as a music video. There needs to be real visual content throughout.
• Audio should be clear and of quality, which means: Not distorted, clipping, or muffled, and reasonably mixed.
• Your video must be available in HD on YouTube.

Each channel also has its own mood and pacing, so a video that's a great fit for one channel might not suit another.

Channel-specific guidance

Unplugged

• Acoustic, stripped-back music: acoustic guitar, piano, voice, light percussion. Heavily electronic or distorted productions don't fit here.
• Slow to mid tempo. Upbeat folk-pop works if the arrangement stays organic.
• Visuals aren't required to match, but intimate, low-key footage works well, such as sessions shot for the video or quiet narrative pieces.

Static Nights

• Synthwave, retrowave, darksynth, and electronic with a night-drive feel. Club-oriented dance music fits Overload better.
• Mostly instrumental or atmospheric vocals, steady and hypnotic rather than aggressive.
• Visuals aren't required to match, but neon, retro-futuristic, or nocturnal imagery works well.

Wreckage

• Rock, hard rock, punk, and metal in all its forms. Softer, melodic indie belongs in Afterglow.
• Loud, heavy, and unpolished is welcome. Polished synth-pop or acoustic sets don't fit.
• Visuals aren't required to match, but raw, high-energy footage works well, such as a performance shot for the video.

Afterglow

• Indie, dream-pop, shoegaze, and bedroom-pop with a nostalgic, wistful mood. Heavier, harder-edged bands belong in Wreckage.
• Melodic and reflective rather than aggressive or dance-driven.
• Visuals aren't required to match, but soft, hazy, or cinematic imagery works well.

Overload

• Drum & bass, dubstep, and heavy bass music. Synthwave and mellower electronic belong in Static Nights.
• High energy throughout, with drops and bass as the focus.
• Visuals aren't required to match, but intense, fast-cut, or glitchy styling works well.

Street Cred

• Hip-hop and R&B, from boom-bap to trap and modern soul.
• Vocals and flow are front and centre, not just a backing beat.
• Visuals aren't required to match, but footage grounded in the artist's own world and locations works well.

Ready to submit? Head to the artist dashboard to submit your video.