The first-of-its-kind algorithm for independent artists
No labels. No payola. No hand-picks. Just your record, judged on its craft and measured against every other record uploaded here.
Part 1 — The Search
The algorithm searches Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, the music platforms where independents promote, and the open web — gathering everything it can find about you and your songs: the posts, the buzz, the conversation around your music. You're being critiqued 24 hours a day — the algorithm never sleeps.
Part 2 — The Judging
Every song uploaded to TOP 20 is scored on 15 points, 1–10 each (total /150) — the same 15 for every song, fitted genre by genre:
- 1. Mix Quality
- 2. Mastering & Sound Quality
- 3. Hook Strength
- 4. Melody
- 5. Lyrical Quality
- 6. Song Structure
- 7. Vocal Delivery & Performance
- 8. Production & Instrumentation
- 9. Groove & Rhythm
- 10. Emotional Impact
- 11. Dynamics & Energy
- 12. Originality & Identity
- 13. Replay Value
- 14. Radio & Commercial Readiness
- 15. Cover Art & Presentation
Yes — the cover is one of the points. Quality artwork helps your score; anything slapped together will hurt it. The craft score is then blended with real engagement (60% craft / 40% engagement, social buzz capped at about 10% of the total) to set the charts — chart position is never popularity alone, and the craft score can't be bought.
Launch genres: R&B · Southern Soul · Hip-Hop · Trap · Country · Pop · Dance/Techno/House — plus a cross-genre Overall chart at every level.
The Stage
The rotation plays the Top 20 in order, 1 through 20, 24 hours a day. New entries come into play at 12:00 midnight, every night — that's when the new chart takes effect and knocked-off songs leave the rotation.
Nobody's safe. A new entry can hit at midnight any night — you have to keep putting out great material to stay in the Top 20.
- Only songs uploaded to TOP 20 are ever judged — if it isn't uploaded here, it isn't looked at.
- Two live songs per artist, max — those are the only songs that get judged. Remove one to put another up.
- A profile page + at least one song uploaded is how you get recognized.
- No labels, no pay can move a song. The algorithm decides — with one exception: DJ's Hot Picks. Every Friday a panel of DJs picks 3 songs that are already hot, and those picks step into the Top 20, badged for all to see. After Friday, the algorithm treats them like everybody else.
- Audio must be radio quality — WAV, FLAC, or 320 kbps MP3, the same quality radio stations accept.
- Charts recalculate daily — the new chart lands at 12:00 midnight.
- Only the Top 20 plays on the Stage.
- When you enter a Top 20, you get the email. Falling off is never emailed — you come back and check, like the pros check the charts.
This is a professional platform, built to have you shine — just like a major artist, because that's what you are. Even though you're independent, you're just as major as any other artist. Artists who believe in themselves put in the work — and your music and your profile will speak for themselves.
