Latest Reports
View AllAnatomy of a Label Deal: Advances, Royalties, and the Fine Print Nobody Reads
Breaking down the key terms, advances, and royalty structures in today's label deals.
Punching Above Their Weight: How Indie Labels Are Stealing Market Share
How indie labels are carving out larger slices of the pie through agility and artist-first strategies.
Follow the Money: Tracing a Single Stream From Listener to Artist Payout
Tracing the money flow from listener subscription to artist payout.
Editorial vs. Algorithmic Playlists: Which One Actually Builds a Career?
The power dynamics of editorial playlists and algorithmic discovery.
Platform Roulette: Why Betting Everything on One Streaming Service Is a Losing Game
Exploring platforms like YouTube Music, Tidal, Amazon Music, and emerging alternatives.
Scouting by Algorithm: The New A&R Playbook for Discovering Talent
Modern scouting methods from social media analytics to live showcases.
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.
3 reports →Streaming & Digital
Deep dives into streaming platform economics, playlist strategy, per-stream payouts, algorithmic discovery, and digital distribution.
3 reports →Artist Development
Covering the modern artist pipeline from bedroom production to headline acts, including A&R, management, and building sustainable careers.
3 reports →Music Publishing & Sync
Exploring music publishing rights, sync licensing for film and TV, royalty collection, and how songwriters monetize their compositions.
3 reports →Touring & Live
The economics of touring, festival strategy, merchandise revenue, and the financial realities of performing live in the modern music industry.
3 reports →Marketing & Promotion
Social media strategy, short-form video marketing, fan engagement tactics, and audience-building approaches that convert followers into superfans.
3 reports →Industry Analysis
Revenue trends, global market growth, emerging markets, and the structural forces reshaping the recorded music business worldwide.
4 reports →Business Strategy
Revenue diversification, data analytics, rights ownership, the creator economy, and strategic frameworks for long-term music business success.
4 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 →