Patrick Ryan of USA Today reports:
Rock is no longer the top dog in music.
For the first time ever, R&B/hip-hop has surpassed rock to become the biggest music genre in the U.S. in terms of total consumption, according to Nielsen Music’s 2017 year-end report.
Eight of the 10 most listened-to artists of the year came from the R&B/hip-hop genre, led by Drake, with 4.8 million album equivalent units (combined album sales, song downloads and streams), and Kendrick Lamar (3.7 million). Rap also experienced the second-highest growth of any genre, spiking 25% over 2016 and coming in just behind Latin music, which was up 30% in total volume.
Hip-hop dominated the charts in 2017, with viral hits such as Lil Uzi Vert’s XO Tour Llif3, Future’s Mask Off and Post Malone’s Congratulations ranking among the 10 best-selling tracks of last year, according to BuzzAngle Music and Mediabase. Rap up-and-comers Cardi B (Bodak Yellow) and Migos (Bad and Boujee) each spent multiple weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 with their respective singles, while four of the five Grammy nominees for album of the year were R&B or hip-hop artists.
More insights from Nielsen about the year in music:
* Streaming now accounts for 54% of total audio consumption, composing the majority of audio consumption for the first time ever. (For comparison, streams accounted for 38% of total audio consumption in 2016 and a mere 22% in 2015.)
* 19 songs surpassed 500 million streams in 2017; of those, 17 came from the R&B/hip-hop genre.
* Despite rap’s dominance on streaming platforms, rock continues to be the biggest genre for album sales, accounting for 35% of all albums sold.
* Vinyl LP sales were up 9% from 2016 and now account for 14% of all physical albums sold. The most popular? The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, thanks in part to a deluxe anniversary reissue on vinyl.
Read more at USA Today.
source: usatoday.com
41 Responses
Very interesting that a genre of music that actually requires musicians to play instruments, and sing, as well as write music, has been overtaken by a genre of “music” that requires limited skills, and no singing talent, at all. Looks like the art of making real music is lost on the audience these days.
Additionally, my comment is being very tempered, because what I would really like to say, would be highly unladylike. 😉
Rock is Dead I guess is what this is saying. I beg to differ. Rock has rained for what at least 50 years?! Not a bad run, but it ain’t over. Every zit faced kid will now want to be a Rap Star…I guess…Idiocracy is coming in quick and fast. RIAA must be happy about those downloading sales. I saw Metallica’s tour twice this summer, Zakk Wydle’s show and Robert Cray and going to see Joe’s G3 next week. rock lives strong in this one. Calling today’s R&B true R&B is like calling Led Zeppelin Heavy Metal. R&B hasn’t been tru to it’s roots in the mainstream since the late 70’s.
Rap isn’t even music! Nielsen’s year end report is flawed.
First my flight was cancelled, stuck at the airport with my cranky wife, then I had to read this bullsh-t! Happy new year! This “story” is all because most young people today have no respect for real music, nor do they have any knowledge of real music. I doubt any of them even have a f–king clue what a guitar is! The media/critics have been trying for years to erase rock & roll history and replace it with that rap sh-t, the reason? Politics! Thank God my 14 year old niece hasn’t been brainwashed, she’s really into Avenged Sevenfold, Black Veil Brides, and thanks to me (and Dana) 😉 Airbourne! Too bad more teenagers don’t “Stand Up For Rock N’ Roll!!
I’ve always felt the narrative about “rock” gets tossed around a bit. When it comes to Hard Rock, everyone seems to understand the genre, (especially us devotees) but for me, “rock” has become more “folky” for lack of a better word. Bands like Imagine Dragons are considered rock bands these days. As for Rap, totally agree with the consensus, I just don’t get the appeal. Every song seems to have the same “beat” and no where near the musical complexity of rock, hard rock or heavy metal.
This song topped the Billboard 100: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEGccV-NOm8
The lyrics are truly inspirational for all young women. I am speechless…
Also, Doug, I agree with you said, about what is considered “rock,” these days.
That was fairly horrific Dana. Please never show me something like that again!!! My poor ears and mind….;0]==
I sincerely apologize, Tasker, but I was trying to show you what is considered a massive “hit” today.
Celibacy all of the sudden doesn’t seem like such a bad idea.