Heavy Metal Is Fastest-Growing Genre, According To Digital Music Distribution Company TuneCore

TuneCore, the global platform for independent musicians to build audiences and careers, today announced that its artists earned $83 million in the first quarter of 2019, a 21% increase over Q1 2018. This brings total distribution revenue to $1.5 billion, 100% of which was paid to TuneCore artists. Distribution income for artists reached $308 million in 2018, a 28% year-over-year increase.

In addition to distribution income, publishing administration royalties collected for TuneCore artists grew 42% in 2018. As well, YouTube monetization delivered significant new income for artists, growing 48% over 2017.

"TuneCore is the only global platform that pays artists 100% of what they earn from digital streams and downloads, while also meeting all of their needs across distribution, promotion and publishing administration," said Scott Ackerman, CEO of TuneCore. "In 2019 we're seeing great momentum in helping our customers build sustainable careers by finding new income across formats and channels."

The platform enables artists to distribute their music to over 150 digital stores and streaming services worldwide including iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, Deezer and Google Play. That reach helped make TuneCore independent artists a major factor influencing the growth of genres, markets and geographies.

Total streams and downloads of music by TuneCore's 250,000 worldwide artists hit 199.3 billion in the past year, a 83% increase over 2017.

In 2018, the fastest-growing genres worldwide were:

Heavy metal - 154% increase
J-Pop - 133% increase
R&B/Soul - 68% increase
K-Pop - 58% increase
World music - 57% increase
Instrumental - 42% increase

In 2018, streaming growth varied worldwide:

Africa - 146% growth
Asia - 52% growth
Oceania - 38% growth
Europe - 35% growth
South America - 32% growth
North America - 31% growth

Countries with notable streaming growth in 2018 included:

Morocco - 243% increase
South Africa - 125% increase
Italy - 108% increase
India - 89% increase
Turkey - 81% increase
Czech Republic - 72% increase

TuneCore is the global platform for independent musicians to build audiences and careers — with technology and services across distribution, promotion and revenue. TuneCore music distribution services help artists, labels and managers sell their music through Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, Google Play and more than 150 download and streaming stores worldwide, while retaining 100 percent of their sales revenue and rights for a low annual flat fee. TuneCore music publishing administration assists songwriters by administering their compositions through licensing, registration, world-wide royalty collections, and placement opportunities in film, TV, commercials, video games and more. The TuneCore artist services portal offers a suite of tools and services that enable artists to promote their craft, connect with fans, and get their music heard.

TuneCore, part of Believe, is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, with offices in Nashville, Tennessee; New Orleans, Louisiana; Atlanta, Georgia; and Austin, Texas; and global expansions in the U.K., Australia, Japan, Canada, Germany, France and Italy.