Music Industry

Here’s a Thought: Maybe This Year’s Bad Music Sales Are Because the Music Is Bad

It’s crossed my mind, actually, and maybe yours, too.  We’re not alone. From Hypebot:

In 1991, Nielsen Soundscan started tracking album sales around the world. Back then, this data gave us valuable insight into current tastemakers, what genres were growing in cultural significance, and generally who the world was listening to. Lately, Soundscan’s reports are nothing more than a simple reminder that the music industry is, well…f’d.

Soundscan has announced a dismal new benchmark. For the first time, album sales have dipped below four million for a single week. I never thought I’d say it – but thank goodness for Wiz Khalifa, whose album Blacc Hollywood was the week’s best-seller, adding 90,000 sales for the industry. At least he’s helping overall album sales.

Or is he?

What is happening to the music industry? It seems that they are battling against a world in which their product, songs and albums, can be downloaded free of charge. As a result, after fifteen years of this, sales continue to hit record lows.

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Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 39159 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

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