The music industry has transformed dramatically over the past two decades — not just in format and platform, but in how professionals across the field work, create, monetize, and promote music. Below is a modernized view of evolving job roles in the music business, based on the IFPI Global Music Report 2025, the BVMI’s 2024 market analysis, and the widely referenced “New Music Economy” model.
We’ve restructured the categories to follow a more realistic career and release process: from revenue and career strategy to music creation and marketing.
Revenue Models
Then: CD/download sales, touring, merch
Now: Fan subscriptions, sync licensing, brand partnerships, diverse income streams
According to the IFPI, global recorded music revenues rose to $29.6 billion in 2024, with streaming making up 69% of the total. In Germany, digital formats now dominate: 84.1% of revenue comes from digital channels, with audio streaming alone at 78.1%.
Career Trajectories
Then: Get signed by a major label
Now: Build your brand independently, monetize fanbase, partner selectively
Artists like Chappell Roan and Myke Towers demonstrate the modern “artist-as-entrepreneur” path. Labels are still vital, but now they step in after an artist has built traction and an audience.
Music Creation
Then: Major studio sessions, label-funded production
Now: Remote collaboration, home studios, AI-enhanced production tools
The shift from studio to bedroom is complete. Even major releases now start in DIY environments, enhanced by AI vocal models, stem editing tools, and cloud-based production platforms.
Gatekeeping & Access
Then: DJs, execs, programmers
Now: TikTok, YouTube, editorial playlists, algorithmic virality
Discovery is no longer dictated by gatekeepers. Social platforms and recommendation engines determine what breaks. Artists, managers, and distributors must understand and work with these systems.
Collectibles
Then: Tour T-shirts, limited-edition CDs
Now: Vinyl, NFTs, deluxe boxes, fan-exclusive merchandise drops
Germany’s physical market may be declining overall, but vinyl is booming — up 12.6% in 2024. The demand for premium, collectible formats is alive and well
Live Music
Then: Local and regional tours
Now: Global stadium tours, hybrid formats, virtual shows in games like Fortnite
Live experiences have gone digital. Artists like Myles Smith are performing immersive virtual concerts, creating new revenue streams and reaching global fans without physical limits .
Marketing & Promotion
Then: TV/radio ads, press tours, physical posters
Now: Meme culture, TikTok trends, podcast interviews, data-driven influencer strategies
In 2025, promotion starts after the audience has already begun talking. Labels now run real-time, reactive campaigns guided by platform trends and content performance rather than scheduled rollouts.
Fan Interaction
Then: Mailing lists and fan clubs
Now: Discord communities, direct fan monetization, subscriber-only content
Today’s most loyal fans are found on chat servers, private apps, and gated content platforms like Patreon or Bandcamp. These micro-communities offer artists deeper engagement and stable recurring income.
What’s Next?
🤖 AI in Music: Generative tools will support artists, but legal frameworks must evolve to protect rights.
💡 Platform-Native Success: Artists will continue to build careers on fan platforms first — with or without a label.
- 🌍 Emerging Markets: MENA, Latin America, and Sub-Saharan Africa saw over 22% annual growth in 2024.
Growth by Region at a Glance:
🌎 Latin America:
+22.5% growth — now 15 consecutive years of expansion.
Streaming accounts for 87.8% of regional revenues.
Brazil (+21.7%) led growth among top 10 markets, while Mexico (+15.6%) rose to become the world’s 10th largest music market.🌍 Sub-Saharan Africa:
+22.6% growth — for the first time, revenue surpassed $100 million.
South Africa accounts for 74.6% of the region’s market.🌍 MENA (Middle East & North Africa):
+22.8% growth — fastest-growing region worldwide.
Streaming dominates with 99.5% share of total revenues.🌏 Asia:
+1.3% growth — following a record-breaking 2023 (+14%).
Japan’s market was flat (-0.2%), China grew +9.6%.
Asia is the largest global market for physical music (45.1%).🌍 Europe:
+8.3% growth — now holds 29.5% of global revenues.
Growth driven by UK (+4.9%), Germany (+4.1%), France (+7.5%).🇺🇸 USA & 🇨🇦 Canada:
+2.1% growth — still the world’s largest regional market.
The US grew +2.2%, Canada +1.5%.🌏 Australasia:
+6.4% growth — Australia (+6.1%), New Zealand (+7.8%).
Mexico overtook Australia in the global top 10 market ranking.
