Latin music grows quicker than all the rest the U.S.
Image credit: AFP
Latin music is outpacing the entire U.S. recorded music market as artists like Bad Bunny and Karol G take the country by storm.
In 1999, it might have seemed like Latin music had infiltrated the U.S. with Mambo No.5 and reached its peak. It turns out, that was nothing compared to today where it has been revealed that Latin music now accounts for nearly 8% of the overall US recorded music market.
Between 2013 and 2023, Latin music listeners rose almost 1,000%. From 0 songs in Spotify‘s Global Top 100 to chart toppers. A new report from US label body RIAA reveals where Latin music is at in 2024.
The RIAA’s mid-year report reveals that Latin music is now outpacing the overall recorded music revenues in the U.S. for the first half of 2024. Whilst the overall U.S. recorded market grew 3.9% in H1, Latin music revenues grew by 7.3% to $685.5 million – a new record. It’s impressive growth on the same time last year, when Latin music had reached $627 million.
Unsurprisingly, the majority of Latin music revenues come from streaming in the U.S.. $670.3 million to be precise, leaving less than 3% of revenues from other sources. CD sales were up an impressive 21% but that only accounted to $2 million. Vinyl sales for Latin music also grew 21% to $7 million.
So, why exactly is Latin music so popular in the U.S.? We’ve covered this in more detail here, but a number of reasons seem to bring Latin music to the forefront of people’s consciousness.
Firstly, music streaming has brought down the borders to music, making it simple for artists to release their music to worldwide audiences and allowing listeners to tune in without the price of entry of a physical album. Secondly, the vibrancy of Latin music culture provides something unique that clearly connects with audiences in a different way to U.S. artists.
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