NoCopyrightSounds

NoCopyrightSounds (NCS) is a UK-based record label and music community specializing in electronic music, founded in 2011 as a YouTube channel. It is the largest copyright-free record label in the world, with a catalog of over 1,500 songs across various moods and genres, generating over 500 billion plays globally. NCS has 34.3 million YouTube subscribers (as of May 2026) and is ranked number 260 on YouTube worldwide. Its music has been used in over 250 million videos by some of the biggest creators, streamers, and brands such as MrBeast, The Sidemen, and Chloe Ting. Its 2026 roster includes Garnic, LXNDER, Gray Hoek, Lauren Nicole, Conrad Taylor, Reece Rose, HIKING, Kkriegerz, jonty, V. Christie, and LOVI. Its 2026 releases include Groovy Chick (BEANIE, Lauren Nicole, Gray Hoek), Say You Love Me (V. Christie), Action (Alessia Labate, Conrad Taylor), 4 U (ROY KNOX), and FLIRT (Alie, HIKING).

NCS started as a YouTube channel born out of the frustration of not being able to find high quality, truly copyright-free music for use on the platform. By featuring the tracks it loved, NCS evolved into a music label with an extensive catalog of electronic music available for creators to use in their content. The NCS YouTube channel is now one of the largest in the world, and forms a part of its digital community that enables it to present new artists. Forbes described NCS as "a YouTube-first label that allows indie creators to use and even monetize its music freely as long as they give due credit back to the content owners." NCS's success comes from providing free-to-use music for creators on platforms like YouTube and Twitch, where creators can use NCS music without fear of risking copyright strikes. Its music catalog is in high demand because the music it releases is not generic stock music from faceless composers, but actual industry artists who tour, have global fan bases, and are often household names.

How NCS Operates

NoCopyrightSounds runs dedicated A&R from its UK headquarters. It operates a free-to-use license model, where creators can use and monetize NCS music freely as long as they give due credit back to the content owners. The label's strength is its massive YouTube audience (34.3 million subscribers, ranked number 260 worldwide) and its free-to-use license model, which has driven over 500 billion plays globally and placement in over 250 million videos. Its model is built around the YouTube-first approach, where the NCS channel showcases new artists and drives discovery. The label releases a wide range of electronic music from House to Dubstep via Trap, Drum and Bass, and Electro Pop.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you make electronic music (house, dubstep, trap, drum and bass, electro pop), NoCopyrightSounds is the largest copyright-free record label in the world, with 34.3 million YouTube subscribers and over 500 billion plays globally. Its free-to-use license model drives massive exposure through placement in over 250 million creator videos. Its roster of touring artists with global fan bases shows it can develop artists who move beyond the creator music space into mainstream electronic music.

Drawbacks and Things to Consider

• Free-to-use model: NCS's free-to-use license model means your music can be used in any creator video with credit, which limits your control over where your music appears.
• Electronic focus: NCS signs electronic music. Artists in other genres should look elsewhere.
• No unsolicited demos: NCS does not accept cold submissions.
• YouTube-first revenue: NCS's model is built around YouTube, which means revenue is heavily tied to YouTube streaming and ad rates.

Notable Artists and Releases

Videos

Deal Structures

NCS operates on a 50/50 revenue split model with its artists. Deals often cover publishing and are frequently structured as single-release agreements rather than long-term album contracts. The seven-person team provides full-service support including distribution, pitching, sync, marketing, promotion, royalties, publishing, and accounting.

The label's free-to-use license model allows content creators on platforms like YouTube and Twitch to use NCS music without fear of copyright strikes, provided they credit the track properly. This credit requirement drives discovery: when creators use NCS music and include the credit template, viewers can find the original track on streaming platforms, generating paid streams that produce income for both artist and label.

Commercial use of NCS music requires a separate commercial license. The label offers flexible commercial licensing terms through its website. NCS describes its model as "No Content ID" rather than "no copyright," meaning the label owns the copyrights but chooses not to enforce Content ID claims against creators who properly credit the music.

NCS was involved in a 2026 UK High Court case (NoCopyrightSounds Ltd v AEI Music Ltd) regarding a proposed partnership with AEI Music. Court documents revealed proposed revenue splits including 80/20 in NCS's favor for digital distribution, 50/50 for branded compilations, and 80/20 for publishing administration.

How Artists Get Signed

NCS accepts demo submissions directly from artists. The label receives 500 to 1,000 submissions per week from both existing roster artists and new artists, and responds to every submission. General Manager Daniel J. Lee has stated the label aims to be "the biggest record label in the world, with the lowest bar of entry," meaning NCS works with artists at every stage of their career, including those releasing their first track.

The A&R process is open and accessible. Artists can submit music through the NCS website or by reaching out directly. The label evaluates submissions based on whether the music fits the NCS sound and community, not on the artist's existing fame or streaming numbers. NCS releases a wide range of electronic music spanning house, dubstep, trap, drum and bass, and electro pop.

Artists who have released through NCS include Alan Walker (who later signed with Sony and left the label), Elektronomia, DEAF KEV, Tobu, Jim Yosef, Janji, Lost Sky, Koven, Curbi, JPB, and Cartoon. The label has sold over 1 million paid tracks despite giving away all music for free, driven by the conversion of free YouTube listeners to paid streaming subscribers.

Similar Labels

• Monstercat - Canadian electronic label with a similar YouTube-first, creator-friendly model
• Trap Nation - US-based EDM YouTube channel and label with open demo submissions
• Chillhop Music - Netherlands-based lofi label with a YouTube-first approach
• Mau5trap - Electronic label founded by deadmau5 with a focus on progressive house and techno

Related Resources

• Record Label Contracts Explained - What an NCS deal contains
• Independent Labels vs Major Labels - The copyright-free label model
• How to Get a Record Deal in 2026 - Building an electronic profile
• Monstercat - A related EDM label
• NCS Official Site - Roster and releases