Use NightHawk22 music in your work
Use my music in your videos, levels, streams, and projects. Here's how.
Quick permissions summary
The essentials before you read the details.
- Free for most creator use: YouTube, TikTok, Shorts, Reels, streams, edits
- Geometry Dash use is free for all tracks
- Covers (new recordings) are allowed for free
- Content ID claims are normal, not strikes, and do not hurt channels
- Monetized videos are fine. Content ID may claim them automatically, no action needed
- Commercial, brand, or sponsored use requires a license
- Re-uploads and standalone audio uploads are not allowed
What you can do for free
Most creator use is free. No permission needed.
Free to use
- YouTube videos, including monetized (Content ID may claim)
- TikTok / Shorts / Reels
- Geometry Dash levels
- AMVs / GMVs / gameplay edits
- School and personal projects
- Twitch streams: affiliate, partner, bits, subs, and donations
Most creators can use the music without ever contacting me, including on monetized videos. A license is only needed for commercial or brand use, including sponsored streams, branded integrations, and paid promotions. The line on streams is sponsorship, not income. More on Content ID claims below.
A small number of tracks are covers of other artists' songs and carry third-party rights, so they fall outside this guide. Those are marked with a notice on their own track pages. Please reach out before using them.
Content ID explained
What a claim actually means, and what to do about it.
- A Content ID claim is not a strike. Your channel is not penalized.
- Claims do not affect your channel standing, health, or ability to monetize other content.
- Content ID is active on all tracks by default. Seeing a claim is completely normal.
- Most creators leave the claim active and never do anything else. That is the default path, and it is how the music stays supported.
What is not allowed
The following uses are not permitted without explicit permission.
- Uploading full tracks or standalone audio files
- Distributing my original recordings to Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, SoundCloud, or similar platforms
- Remixing or sampling original NightHawk22 audio
- Altered versions: slowed, sped up, reverb, nightcore, bass boosted, chopped, mashups, or similar edits
- Use in AI training datasets
- NFT or blockchain use
Gameplay-sync edits are the exception. Technical edits needed to fit a track to gameplay, such as trimming, looping, or tempo alignment, are fine when they stay embedded inside the level or game. They must never be distributed as standalone music.
The distribution limits above apply to my original recordings. A cover is your own new recording and follows the normal licensing rules for cover songs, which are separate from this policy.
This policy does not authorize redistribution of my music catalog, uploading my music to streaming services, creating unofficial releases, or representing derivative works as official NightHawk22 releases.
Please link to official releases instead.
Monetization & licensing
If you want to keep monetization on a video, a license is required. Otherwise, you can use the music normally and a Content ID claim may apply.
Monetized YouTube videos
- You can use the music in monetized videos, no permission needed.
- A Content ID claim may apply automatically. A license is only needed if you want to keep the video revenue for yourself.
- Licenses are considered individually, typically per video.
Shorts, TikTok & Reels
- Short-form content is free to use. Content ID may place a claim.
- Claim releases for Shorts, TikTok, and Reels are rare and handled individually.
- Sponsored or brand-deal content requires a license.
Games & interactive use
Games and interactive products that ship to players need a quick check-in first. Most indie and hobby projects receive simple or no-cost licenses.
Generally free
- YouTube and Geometry Dash
- School and educational projects
- Portfolio demos
- Hackathons and game jams
- Prototypes and hobby games
- Minecraft and Terraria mods, and community maps
Need review
- Steam, itch.io, Epic, and downloadable titles
- Roblox, mobile app stores, browser games, and MMOs
- Other rhythm games: osu!, Beat Saber, ADOFAI, StepMania
- Commercial mod packs, paid DLC, and standalone products
The check-in is about knowing the audience, distribution, monetization, and branding, not about charging a fee. Most indie and hobby projects receive a simple or no-cost license, which may cover one game with one or more tracks and can include promotional trailers.
Geometry Dash is the exception among rhythm games. Those tracks are auto-cleared because they are cleared through Newgrounds. Other rhythm games do not inherit that. osu!, Beat Saber, ADOFAI, StepMania, and Roblox rhythm or tower games need a quick check-in first.
Crediting / attribution
Required for commercial licenses and covers. Recommended for everything else.
Preferred credit format
Music:NightHawk22
Track:[Song Name]
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/4td9WXh9BhCVysTFUXcOmr
YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@NightHawk22Music
You can also find all tracks on Spotify and YouTube.
Platform examples
- Geometry DashSong by NightHawk22
- Short-form (TikTok / Reels / Shorts)Music: NightHawk22
- Streams / videosMusic by NightHawk22, Track: [Song Name]
When is attribution required
Attribution helps viewers discover the music and supports future releases.
- Commercial licenses: Required
- Covers: Required. Please clearly indicate it is a cover.
- Everything else: Recommended
Licensing & professional use
Primarily for commercial projects, brand use, and larger creators who need monetization retained.
Licensing is intended for commercial projects, brand campaigns, and established creators who specifically need a claim released. If that describes your use, reach out with a few details:
- Project type and track(s) you want to use
- A link to your project or channel if available
- Whether the content is monetized, sponsored, or commercial
Not all requests can be approved. Permissions may be revoked for misuse or violation of these guidelines. Some tracks may involve third-party rights and may require additional permission.
Frequently asked questions
How do I use your music in Geometry Dash levels?
My Newgrounds tracks are officially cleared and available in Geometry Dash.
To use a track:
- Visit my Newgrounds profile
- Open the song you want
- Copy the Song ID (the number in the URL)
- Paste it into the Geometry Dash level editor's Custom Song field
If it loads, it's approved for use. No permission needed.
Appreciated: If you showcase your level on YouTube, please credit: Music by NightHawk22
Do I need a license if my video is monetized?
No, you can still use the music. A Content ID claim may apply, which is normal. A license is only needed if you want to keep monetization on that video.
Will a Content ID claim harm my channel?
No. A Content ID claim is not a strike and does not affect your channel standing, health, or ability to monetize other content. Do not dispute a claim unless you have a valid license. Disputing without one can escalate to a copyright strike.
Can I remix your music?
Unofficial remixes are generally not authorized. I may make exceptions entirely at my discretion. Covers, meaning your own new recording of one of my songs, are treated differently and are allowed with credit.
Can I re-upload your full tracks?
No. Please link to the original platforms instead. Uploading full tracks or standalone audio is not allowed.