DisplayArtistNames for releases and resources

DisplayArtist composite and DisplayArtistName element

DDEX messages allow for the communication of the "main artist" – i.e. the artist name that is shown in big letters on the product sleeve. This information can be provided in two ways:

  • DisplayArtist is a composite that can communicate the name and role of the artist (or artists) who is (are) the main ones for a given Release

  • DisplayArtistName is a string that can communicate the way the Release creator suggests the name being displayed. There can only be one for each Release.

Releases and resources

The same concepts applies to Resources such as sound recordings. In most Releases all Resources' display artist is the same as the display artist for the release. The three main exceptions are:

  • Compilations;

  • Classical releases;

  • Resources where the main Release artist has asked a "featured" colleague to join in.

Communicating DisplayArtist

If a Resource's display artist is the same as for the Release containing the Resource, the appropriate DisplayArtist and DisplayArtistName should be communicated on Release level only; there is no need for Resource level DisplayArtistName data.

If a Resource's display artist differs from the Release's, display artist DisplayArtist and DisplayArtistName data must be communicated for the Release and the Resource. The rules differ slightly for different versions of the NewReleaseMessage:

Rules for ERN Version 3.7 and above

  • DisplayArtistName shall contain the concatenation of individual DisplayArtist's names (as recommended by the Release creator);

  • DisplayArtist contains individual components for each of the  artists with roles Artist (for the main artist) or FeaturedArtist (for artists that have been asked to join in with the main artist).

Rules for ERN Version 3.6 and before

  • DisplayArtist contains individual components for each of the  artists with roles Artist (for the main artist) or FeaturedArtist (for artists that have been asked to join in with the main artist);

  • A further DisplayArtist composite shall contain the concatenation of individual DisplayArtist's names (as recommended by the Release creator) with a role UserDefined with user-defined value of  "DisplayArtistName.

Search