Latest Reports
View All 73 ReportsEd Sheeran's Exit: A Shift in Artist-Label Dynamics
Sheeran's departure from WMG highlights shifting power dynamics favoring artist autonomy and autonomy in contracts.
Chart Success: The Core of Artist Branding in Today’s Music Industry
Chart performance directly impacts an artist's branding and revenue in a rapidly evolving music landscape.
Ed Sheeran's Exit from Warner: A Turning Point for Artist Independence
Sheeran's exit signals a pivotal shift for artists seeking independence and better contracts in the music industry.
Spotify's Ticket Access Program: Transforming Live Music Engagement
Spotify's Reserved Ticket Access offers fans early entry to concerts, reshaping artist-fan dynamics and tackling ticketing issues.
Spotify's Ticketing Shift: Redefining Artist-Fan Connections and Live Revenue
Spotify's reserve ticketing system transforms how artists sell tickets and engage with fans, reshaping revenue dynamics in live events.
Shamrock Capital's Push into Music Rights: Impacts and Implications
Shamrock Capital's new $400 million fund for music rights signals major changes in the industry for artists and investors alike.
Tencent Music's Acquisition of Ximalaya: A Turning Point for Audio in China
Tencent Music's acquisition of Ximalaya reshapes China's audio market and sets the stage for global audio trends.
Spotify's Pricing Strategies: Tactics for Global Market Penetration
Spotify alters pricing to expand its global reach, enhancing user engagement and reshaping competition in diverse markets.
Drake's Independent Future: Risks, Rewards, and Industry Implications
Drake's shift to independence could redefine artist-label dynamics and revenue structures in the music industry.
Joint Ventures: A Catalyst for Artist Growth and Festival Success
Joint ventures in music festivals boost artist exposure and expand market reach, benefiting both talent and events.
Maximizing Revenue: Effective Brand Partnerships for Artists
Explore how artists can negotiate brand deals that enhance revenue and maintain credibility.
Copyright Terms: The Real Winners in the Extension Debate
Long copyright terms primarily benefit corporations and estates, while limiting public access and creativity.
Explore All Topics
Our coverage spans 8 core areas of the music business, each led by writers with direct professional experience.
Record Labels & Deals
Analysis of major and independent label strategies, deal structures, catalog acquisitions, and the evolving relationship between artists and labels.
9 reports →Streaming & Digital
Deep dives into streaming platform economics, playlist strategy, per-stream payouts, algorithmic discovery, and digital distribution.
10 reports →Artist Development
Covering the modern artist pipeline from bedroom production to headline acts, including A&R, management, and building sustainable careers.
6 reports →Music Publishing & Sync
Exploring music publishing rights, sync licensing for film and TV, royalty collection, and how songwriters monetize their compositions.
7 reports →Touring & Live
The economics of touring, festival strategy, merchandise revenue, and the financial realities of performing live in the modern music industry.
10 reports →Marketing & Promotion
Social media strategy, short-form video marketing, fan engagement tactics, and audience-building approaches that convert followers into superfans.
7 reports →Industry Analysis
Revenue trends, global market growth, emerging markets, and the structural forces reshaping the recorded music business worldwide.
14 reports →Business Strategy
Revenue diversification, data analytics, rights ownership, the creator economy, and strategic frameworks for long-term music business success.
10 reports →Why Industry Professionals Read Like Hot Cakes
Editorially Independent
No advertiser influence. No pay-for-play. Every analysis is funded and published independently.
Written by Practitioners
Former label executives, A&R professionals, entertainment attorneys, and data analysts — not general-assignment reporters.
Peer-Reviewed
Every article is reviewed by a second team member with relevant expertise before publication. Read our process →