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Creator and Artist Stories

YouTube Musicians Launch a Label

By Michele Flannery

YouTube Music

We love to brag about successful projects that happen in our community, and so when we heard about DFTBA Records, the label that's all about acts that rose up on YouTube, run by YouTube stalwarts/songwriters Alan Lastufka (fallofautumndistro) and Hank Green (vlogbrothers), we just knew this had to be the subject of a Music Tuesday spotlight. Thus, on the homepage today is a DFTBA showcase, including a premiere of "Live on the Internet" from comedy duo Rhett & Link (cameo alert! a certain rapper appears in the video). You can also hear Hank and Alan talk about why they started DFTBA -- which, by the way, stands for "don't forget to be awesome" -- and experience a taste of their own music.

To date, DFTBA Records has released 10 CDs from YouTube stars like Dave Days, Venetian Princess, and Rhett & Link, and sales have surpassed $100,000. They operate as an independent distribution network, managing digital sales, CD production and (soon) merchandise for popular users like Michael Buckley. So if you're a talented YouTube user with an original song to sing, you may want to check out their site for more details on how to participate...and be even more awesome.

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