EngineEars has launched EngineEars Direct, a distribution service that lets artists upload music to major streaming platforms and keep 100% of their earnings. Founder Derek “MixedByAli” Ali calls this rollout “phase two” of the company’s growth. Consequently, the platform now moves beyond studio booking and project management into a true end-to-end release workflow.
Product and Features
EngineEars Direct runs on EMPIRE’s white-label Supply Chain platform and distributes to more than 350 streaming services. Moreover, it provides real-time analytics to show how songs perform across platforms. Additionally, artists get advertising tools, built-in CRM for fan outreach, and detailed “artist playbooks” that guide release plans. As a result, creators can book sessions, order mixes and masters, sell directly to fans on engineer profiles, and publish unlimited releases from one browser-based dashboard.
The company strengthened its position with funding and partners. In February 2024 EngineEars raised $7.5 million in seed funding led by Drive Capital. Other participants include 645 Ventures, Slauson & Co., and FLÜS Investment Group. Furthermore, notable backers such as Kendrick Lamar, Ghazi Shami of EMPIRE, Alex da Kid, Roddy Ricch, and Mustard add industry clout. Ghazi Shami praised the collaboration and called Supply Chain a robust foundation for EngineEars’ distribution service.
Strategy and Competition
Strategically, EngineEars aims to combine production tools with promotion and distribution. Therefore, it reduces the number of platforms artists must juggle. In turn, creators gain clearer control over workflows, faster execution, and full revenue transparency. However, EngineEars now competes with established indie distributors like TuneCore, DistroKid, and UnitedMasters. Still, its integrated, studio-focused approach could appeal to artists who prefer a single, connected environment.
In conclusion, EngineEars Direct transforms a marketplace for engineers into a comprehensive operating system for music creators. It unites booking, production, promotion, fan management, and global distribution in one place. Ultimately, for independent artists seeking a streamlined release path and full earnings control, EngineEars presents a compelling all-in-one option.
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