From Idea to Impact: Five Years Later the DURP Expands to 100 Distributors and Pays Millions to DIY Artists
I am thrilled to announce having reached a new milestone in The Mechanical Licensing Collective’s DURP initiative, which I develop and lead to engage music distributors in our efforts to track down and pay unclaimed royalties to independent songwriters — the Distributor Unmatched Recordings Portal (DURP).
As of today, my team has onboarded over 100 independent music distributors in 20 countries to help us find and pay out millions of dollars in unclaimed U.S. digital audio mechanical royalties to independent songwriters around the world.
I am incredibly proud of the impact the DURP initiative has had on the livelihoods of independent artists who did not know these royalties existed. Many of whom I have had the opportunity to speak with directly and to guide them in the process of becoming MLC members.
This announcement comes on a special day – December 6th. Five years ago, on December 6th, 2019, I was invited by the United States Copyright Office to Washington, D.C. to speak at its Unclaimed Royalties Study Kickoff Symposium at the Library of Congress. It was at this symposium where I offered my insights on the DIY music rights administration space and strategic recommendations on how the forthcoming mechanical licensing collective ought to go about developing innovative data and partnership initiatives to reach the DIY artist and small independent rightsholders sector of the global music industry in furtherance of its mandate of the Music Modernization Act of 2018. The next year, in 2020, I joined The MLC as its Head of Third-Party Partnerships and began the research and development on what has become the Distributor Unmatched Recording Portal (DURP), which is both a data insights and technical solution, and a global network of strategic partnerships.
Today, the DURP has made it possible for many DIY independent artists and self-published songwriters to finally receive the royalties they’ve been owed for many years. I am beyond grateful to be in a role where my continued advocacy and support of independent artists can be put into action to effect real change and opportunities in the global music industry.
Here’s to the DURP. 🥂
December 4th – A Day of Gratitude
XII-IV-MMIII (December 4th, 2003) is a special date for me. It is tattooed on my arm. It was the date on which I took complete control of my life and put faith in my determination to build my future against the odds as it were.
On this day, 21 years ago at only 18 years old, I packed my things and took a one-way flight from Cleveland, Ohio to Los Angeles, California to pursue my dreams to work in the entertainment industry.
The second of four children from a working class family in a small town called Bedford, I didn’t have many resources, I didn’t know anyone in Los Angeles, I didn’t have any connections in Hollywood to “put me on,” and when I landed at Bob Hope International Airport in Burbank, I didn’t have a job or a place to live.
What I had was $600, an unapologetic drive to succeed, an aggressive and almost foolish belief in myself to persevere and figure things out.
Over the next 21 years, I’ve endured incredible ups and severe downs, but I consistently found a way to bounce back and achieve higher while helping others along the way. I worked full-time to earn three college degrees — an associate’s degree from Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC), a bachelor’s degree from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), and a master’s degree from California State University, Northridge (CSUN). I combined my passion for entrepreneurship and the music industry, and my interest in social justice and community building to develop businesses that have empowered and educated independent music creators around the world. And today, in my role as Head of Third-Party Partnerships at The Mechanical Licensing Collective, my work has a direct positive impact on the livelihoods of songwriters on every continent.
I couldn’t be prouder of my 18 years old self for taking that leap of faith 21 years ago, and despite the hardships I’ve encountered along the way, I am incredibly grateful for the emotional support that I have received from family and friends, especially when my will to thrive and succeed was challenged by circumstances and self-doubt.
As I look ahead to my 40th birthday, in less than 3 months, I am filled with gratitude that the ups and downs in my life have led me to where I am today doing what I love with passion and dedication.
It was risky, but where there is no risk, there is no reward.
Here’s to December 4th. 🥂
SXSW 2025: Vote For My Panel
I invite you to vote for our SXSW 2025 panel, “Crafting a Transparent Future for Music Rightsholders”
Join us for a panel discussion on the future of music rights through transparency. Industry experts will share insights on innovative data programs and how technology companies are using these advancements to enhance music solutions and boost rightsholder revenue. Explore new technologies, robust databases, and comprehensive tools designed to streamline processes and elevate data transparency. Discover how data and music intersect to drive the industry towards unparalleled transparency, accuracy, and equitable compensation for rightsholders.
Speakers
- Dae Bogan – Head of Third-Party Partnerships, Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC)
- Chantal Epp FRSA – Founder, ClicknClear
- Diego Maldonado – Global Head Rights Management, ONErpm
- Josh Simons – CEO, Jaxsta
Vote here https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/154503
Dae Bogan To Lead Seminar “The Art And Business Of Songwriting Collabs”
New technologies and online resources have made it possible for songwriters to find and collaborate with fellow songwriters, musicians, and singers from around the world more efficiently and economically than ever before. The convenient nature of the virtual collaboration and music production ecosystem has contributed to the explosion of independent music made available on digital music services today. Accordingly, the RIAA and IFPI have both reported steady growth in independent music in the last few years.
Now, it’s your turn to get involved in the collab movement! Register to attend this insightful webinar on Thursday, June 20th, where Dae Bogan Music, Head of Third-Party Partnerships at The MLC, and Kevin McCarty, CEO and Co-Founder at We Should Write Sometime, will discuss the art and business of songwriting collabs while highlighting WSWS app features for songwriters and The MLC’s tools and resources for self-administered songwriters.
Save your spot here: https://go.themlc.com/weShouldWriteSometime2024
The MLC Announces This Year’s ‘Tuning Into Pride Roundtable’ Speakers, Curated By Dae Bogan
I had a lot of fun curating the @mlc_us 4th edition of Tuning Into Pride: An LGBT Music Industry Roundtable this year. Thank you @jaiyokoent and @cameronljungkull for agreeing to co-moderate this year’s dynamic conversation. I’m so looking forward to it next Wednesday, June 12th at 12pm PDT / 2pm CDT / 3pm EDT.
Special shoutout to Xunami Muse @xunamimuse, Star of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16, and your team at Prysm Talent @cander723 for agreeing to join us in full drag this year! And of course thank you to all the LGBTQIA music creators who will be adding their perspective to these important discussions.
“Tuning Into Pride: An LGBT Music Industry Roundtable” moderated by Jai Yoko @jaiyokoent, Artist Manager & Mentor and Cameron Ljungkull @cameronljungkull, CEO of Secret Spot DTLA and Co-Presenter of PopOut LA. Tune-in for a candid conversation about the issues and opportunities impacting LGBT music creators and music industry professionals. Engage in the Q&A as panelists unpack and discuss current events, their music and videos, their career journeys, the future music creator rights and representation for LGBT artists, and more.
Speakers:
- 2AM Ricky (he/him), Recording Artist & Songwriter @2amricky
- Bershy (she/they), Recording Artist & Songwriter @thebershy
- Divinity Roxx (she/her), Producer & Composer @diviroxx
- Kit Rice (he/him), CEO at KAR Records @kitriceuk
- Nekeith Mitchell (she/her), Recording Artist & Songwriter @officialnekeith
- Rich Bomb (he/him), Rapper & Songwriter @iamrichbomb
- Talii (she/her), Recording Artist & Songwriter @taliimusic
- Xunami Muse, Star of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16 @xunamimuse
🌈Save your spot now: https://go.themlc.com/Pride2024
Dae Bogan To Conduct Live Demo & Give Industry Update On The MLC’s DURP At A2IM Indie Week 2024
I’m coming to New York 🇺🇸 for A2IM Indie Week June 10-13 and Libera Awards 2024!!
I will be conducting a live demo of @mlc_us Distributor Unmatched Recordings Portal (DURP) on June 11th at 1 PM. I will also take meetings with music distributors and aggregators to discuss access to the DURP. Let’s connect!!
The MLC presents Distributor Unmatched Recordings Portal (DURP) Demo
Join Dae Bogan, The MLC’s Head of Third-Party Partnerships for a demo and industry update on the Distributor Unmatched Recordings Portal (DURP). The DURPenables eligible independent distributors to gain visibility into unmatched royalties that relate to streams of sound recordings they have distributed, which The MLC may have unclaimed digital audio mechanical royalties accruing. Since its launch in 2022, the DURP has played a pivotal role in identifying and distributing hundreds of thousands of dollars in royalties to music creators globally thanks to the efforts of independent music distributors seeking ways to add value to its services to artists and labels. Now with over 70 distributor partners representing over 2.8 million sound recordings, the DURP has become an integral part of The MLC’s data and outreach strategy.
Dae Bogan Wins Maestro of Metadata Award at Bizzy Awards during Music Biz 2024
Tonight, I won the highest honor that one can achieve in my profession, the Maestro of Metadata Award at the Bizzy Awards put on by the Music Business Association.
I am so honored to be recognized by my peers in an industry in which I’ve worked incredibly hard to consistently align my passion for music creators’ rights with a curiosity for technology and innovation in a way that creates a global impact benefiting historically underrepresented music creators. Having never worked for a major label or major publisher, every inch of progress that I’ve achieved in my career has been earned by an unwavering commitment to independent music creators and rightsholders.
I look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with my colleagues at The Mechanical Licensing Collective and the greater music industry to put the livelihoods of music creators front and center in my work.
Thank you Music Biz for such an honor.
Dae Bogan to Host The MLC’s BeatMix: Orlando For Second Year
The MLC presents BeatMix: Orlando
Join Dae Bogan, Head of Third-Party Partnerships at The MLC and Stephanie Santiago-Rolón, CEO of Elevated Music Industries at Plush Recording Studios for an upbeat night to get to know The MLC. Come mix and mingle with Orlando-area music creators and leave with new connections and key information about your rights as a creator in the United States.
Fri. May 17th | 7pm-10pm
Plush Recording Studios
1255 Belle Ave #164
Winter Springs, FL 32708
Dae Bogan to Join Panel On New Markets & Innovation In The Music Industry at Music Biz 2024
I am looking forward to participating on the panel “10X: How New Markets & Innovation Can Help The Music Industry Grow Tenfold” at this year’s Music Biz in Nashville.
Panel Description: The under monetization of music has become a recurring narrative in today’s industry, with economists, technologists, investors and rightsholders excited about its opportunity for growth. Figures from Goldman Sachs state that by 2030, the music industry will be worth $50.1bn annually, whilst commentators in the creative industries point to music’s peers in videogames (estimated at over $340 billion), TV and film (jointly estimated at over $280 billion) to understand the potential for copyright exploitation. Radical, IP-centric innovation is the answer to closing this gap and fulfilling our potential. The panel will discuss how to propel the industry’s revenues to unprecedented heights, finding new uses for under-exploited copyrights and developing new business models, licensing processes and pricing strategies to present these opportunities to customers. It will also examine the important data engineering groundwork that needs to take place to facilitate this in terms of standards-based, high quality, timely metadata from rightsholders.
Moderated by Chantal Epp, Founder & CEO, ClicknClear
Speakers:
• Dae Bogan, Head of Third-Party Partnerships, The MLC
• Chelsea Johnson, Sr. Director Global Digital Operations, Kobalt
• David Knox, President, Reactional Music
Learn more at http://www.musicbiz.com
Dae Bogan to Join Panel On The Future of Music Publishing & AI at Canadian Music Week 2024
I’m coming to Toronto 🇨🇦 for Canadian Music Week June 2-5!!
I am looking forward to speaking on the panel “Harmony & Code: The Future of Music Publishing in the AI Era” on June 3rd at 12 PM. Tap in if you’ll be there!
Harmony & Code: The Future of Music Publishing in the AI Era
Join us for a compelling panel discussion where we explore the transformative impact of technology on the music publishing industry. This session will explore critical questions at the intersection of tech and music: What implications does AI have for the roles of music publishers and artists alike? What tools do artists need to thrive in this new landscape? We’ll examine the future of copyright laws, ponder the necessity of new rights, and debate how technology can coexist with music without exploiting creators. Don’t miss this essential conversation on the evolution of music rights in the digital age, designed for publishers, tech companies, and artists ready to navigate these changes.
Moderated By: Cole Davis Founder & CEO Switchchord
- Chris Dampier, Head of North America – Sentric Music
- Dae Bogan, Head of Third-Party Partnerships – The Mechanical Licensing Collective
- Paul Shaver, President – CMRRA (Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency Ltd) and SX Works
- Virginie Berger, Chief Business Development and Rights Officer – Matchtune
Learn more at https://cmw.net/
Free DIY eBook
CONNECT WITH ME
Dae Bogan Music 