Royalty-free music for monetized videos

If you earn money from your videos, the music you use matters. A claim can redirect your ad revenue or block a video. Here's how CC BY 4.0 music works for monetized content, and how to use Purrple Cat's catalog without claims.

What "royalty-free" actually means

"Royalty-free" means you don't pay ongoing royalties each time your content is played or earns money. It doesn't always mean free. Many royalty-free libraries charge a one-time fee or a monthly subscription, and their licenses can end when you stop paying.

Purrple Cat Self Release music is royalty-free and free of charge. It's licensed under CC BY 4.0, which allows commercial use. There's no subscription to keep up, and the license doesn't expire or depend on an account.

Can I monetize videos that use this music?

Yes. CC BY 4.0 explicitly permits commercial use, so you can use Purrple Cat Self Release tracks in videos that earn ad revenue, have sponsors, sell memberships or promote your own products. The only requirement is attribution: credit Purrple Cat and link the license.

This covers common monetized formats, including:

• YouTube videos and Shorts with ads enabled
• Sponsored segments and brand integrations
• Courses, tutorials and paid content
• Livestreams with subs, donations or ads
• Podcasts with ad reads
• Client work, as long as the credit stays with the final project

Content ID: why claims happen and why you won't get one here

YouTube's Content ID system matches uploads against reference files submitted by rights holders. When it finds a match, the rights holder can choose to block the video, track it, or take its ad revenue. Many creators get claimed even on music they were allowed to use, because the music was registered with Content ID by the artist or a distributor.

Purrple Cat Self Release albums don't use YouTube Content ID, so there are no claims on your videos for that music. You keep your revenue and don't have to dispute anything.

Releases on other labels may have different terms, so always check the license shown on the download page. If it says CC BY 4.0, it's covered.

A simple checklist for monetized videos

1. Pick Self Release tracks. Check the license on the download page says CC BY 4.0.
2. Download from an official source. Use the download pages on the home page, like the Internet Archive, Free Music Archive or itch.io, rather than ripping from a reupload.
3. Add the credit line. Paste it into your description. See how to credit CC BY music for format-specific examples.
4. Note any edits. If you cut, looped or remixed a track, say so in the credit.
5. Keep a record. Save the download page URL with your project files. It's good practice for any licensed asset.

Why CC BY is a good fit for creators

A free license with clear terms takes a lot of uncertainty out of choosing music. The terms are public and the same for everyone, so you don't need a separate agreement for each video, and you can keep using music you downloaded even years later. It's also portable: the same track can go in your YouTube video, your Twitch stream and your podcast under the same terms.

Purrple Cat is a solo lofi project with placements in Disney, League of Legends and Rocket League, and a catalog of 450+ songs. That's a large pool of consistent, instrumental lofi for vlogs, tutorials, study content and more. For study-focused channels, see lofi music for study videos.

Supporting the music

The music is free, but if it helps your channel earn, you can support new releases by buying albums on Bandcamp or with a pay-what-you-want download on Gumroad. Crediting clearly also helps other creators discover the music.