Music Industry Makes a Comeback with Women in Pole Position

Music is hitting a high note. Despite other economic downturns, the record industry is making a comeback based on two music industry reports released on Tuesday.  According to the Hollywood Reporter, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry asserts a 0.3% increase in global music industry revenue to $16.5 billion since last year -- that may seem like a modest bump but it’s the first music industry uptick since 1999.

"For the music industry, which has been battling digital piracy for over a decade, last year was a year of progress,” concurs Russ Crupnick, SVP of the NPD Group.

Adding bounce to the ball is digital.  Download, subscription and advertising-supported venture revenues increased 9% to $5.6 billion in 2012, while the number of people subscribing to a service has increased by 44% to represent 20 million worldwide, NPD reports.

Consumer habits are also changing. Though illegal downloads still represent a threat, there has been a significant decline in the estimated volume: -44% for ripped and burned files; -28% for downloads from file-sharing sites; -26% in illegally downloaded music; and -9% for P2P devices since its high in 2006.

As Queen Beyonce self-queries, “Who run the world?  Girls.”  Leading the music industry’s rebound are women like Adele, Taylor Swift, and Carly Rae Jepsen.  Carly Rae leads in 2012 single sales with 12.5 million units moved.  Adele’s 21 was 2012’s biggest seller responsible for more than 8.3 million in unit sales ahead of the 5.2 million units sold of Taylor's Red album.   

According to Forbes, other top-earning female artists in 2012 include Britney Spears ($58m), Taylor ($57), Rihanna ($54m), Lady Gaga ($52m), Katy Perry ($45m), Beyonce ($40m), Adele ($35m), Sade ($33m), Madonna ($30m), and Shakira ($20m).

Lady Gaga: New Dada for the masses

Refreshingly odd and undeniably talented is Lady Gaga. Sneaking into the VIP Room through the dance door, she is a high-voltage current that crackles with the threat of electrocution as she ensnares with the promise of entertainment - all the result of her bona fide chops, musicality, iconic fashion, clever lyrics and distinct point of view.
Recent appearances on the American Music Awards and Oprah show, as well as an unprecedented number of #1's from a new artist debut project and fistful of Grammy nominations, confirm her aim at popular culture has hit the bull’s eye.
Gaga clearly has an ax to grind and is using everything musical, visceral and visual to detonate the dialogue. Whether suspended in all-white while smeared with fake blood, styled in the fearsome armadillo stilettos of Alexander McQueen or banging the keys of a burning piano, you have my attention even if I’m not sure I always fully understand, or perhaps even agree, with the perspective. Regardless, I love a good challenge and the fearlessness of her expression is one of the best to spring from the primordial music industry ooze in quite some time.
At once captivating the collective conscience and collecting friends, Gaga dares viewers to look away while the pulse of her message captivates listeners to keep moving to her beat. For the insatiable and artistic voyeur, she is a feast fit enough to encourage gluttony. An unusual dichotomy, Gaga is simultaneously an artist at peace with controversy and able to promote popularity.
Such is the stuff of legends like Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Nina Simone, Madonna, Bjork, etc., who are loved and misunderstood for the ferocity and singularity of their visions. As with all superheated creative kilns, the challenge is to survive being such a hot commodity and not becoming a self-consuming flash fire. Only time will tell if Gaga has permanently wedged open the new portal for substantive expression through popular music and can keep the fires burning while avoiding burnout.