“Producers deserve to get paid for their work”: Music data service KUVO powered by DJ Monitor gets industry backing

Multiple figures from the dance music industry have voiced their support for the KUVO powered by DJ Monitor service, which gets producers paid for their music getting played in clubs.

The initiative, from the AlphaTheta Corporation, aims to simplify the process with “unparalleled technology” in order to support creators who make the music which fuels the industry’s dancefloors.

Currently nightclubs pay more than €400 million each year to Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) for the rights to DJs and artists playing music at their events, though this often requires the manual submission of set lists to function.

Once set up, no action is required by DJs for KUVO to function, which works by installing Music Recognition Technology (MRT) devices in venues and activating Direct Metadata Capture (DMC) technology on DJ decks. The identification rate across more than 1 million DJ sets is currently 93% on average.

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This means DJs don’t need to manually submit set lists to help creators get paid for their music being played at clubs, festivals and livestreams.

There is also no cost for venues to participate nor does it affect the license fees they pay to CMOs for music, while benefits include access to music insights and extended warranties on CDJ-3000s.

The proposed model for funding KUVO involves charging selected partners for access to music play insights, analytics services and data enhancement.

“To clarify: no charges for KUVO services are incurred by venues, music creators, or DJs,” notes AlphaTheta.

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A number of key players from the dance music industry have voiced their support.

"I'd love to see this technology deployed in more clubs to help support the producers of the music DJs play," says Alan Fitzpatrick.

“Not enough DJs and artists are aware of the benefits of logging tracklists. This is something I’m passionate about - artists deserve to get paid for their work, for that sick techno tune played in a club, for that earwormy remix heard at a festival!” says Jaguar. “In a world where it’s increasingly difficult to make money off music and the arts, I think KUVO could be a game-changer for helping artists be more sustainable. Let’s get it in every club!!”

“It’s great to know that by DJing, we can contribute to music creators getting their royalties. It’s a simple way to appreciate the artists who make our sets possible,” says Sirus Hood.

No playlists played by DJs or information of which DJ played which tracks is made public, meaning DJs’ setlist privacy is maintained.

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Mike Kill, CEO, Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) said: "The KUVO powered by DJ Monitor initiative represents a monumental step forward for the electronic music industry. Accurate and fair royalty payments are vital to supporting the creators whose work forms the backbone of our vibrant nightlife culture. For too long, the system for tracking and compensating these artists has faced significant challenges, with many creators not receiving the recognition or royalties they deserve.

“This innovative solution bridges a long-standing gap, providing cutting-edge technology that aligns with the values of our community while respecting the privacy of DJs and venues. By ensuring that music creators are fairly rewarded, KUVO is strengthening the ecosystem that allows our industry to thrive.”

James Newmarch, Technical Manager of London club FOLD, said: “KUVO Care has been extremely important in keeping our fleet of CDJ-3000 units operational due to the harsh environment they are used in. Without this, we would have faced huge repair bills which would have been very challenging for the venue. The analytics and insights into popular tracks and artists is also very interesting and allows us to let certain artists know when their tracks are being played often in the club.”

Find out more here.

Patrick Hinton is Mixmag's Editor & Digital Director, follow him on Twitter