This statistic shows the public opinion on the music genres which are most representative of America today in the United States as of May 2018. During the survey, 47 percent of respondents stated that they considered country music to be representative of modern America.

The statistic provides data on favorite music genres among consumers in the United States as of July 2018, sorted by age group. According to the source, 52 percent of respondents aged 16 to 19 years old stated that pop music was their favorite music genre, compared to 19 percent of respondents aged 65 or above. Country music in the United States – additional information

In 2012, country music topped the list; 27.6 percent of respondents picked it among their three favorite genres. A year earlier, the result was one percent lower, which allowed classic rock to take the lead. The figures show, however, the genre’s popularity across the United States is unshakeable and it has also been spreading abroad. This could be demonstrated by the international success of (among others) Shania Twain or the second place the Dutch country duo “The Common Linnets” received in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2014, singing “Calm after the storm.”

The genre is also widely popular among American teenagers, earning the second place and 15.3 percent of votes in a survey in August 2012. The first place and more than 18 percent of votes was awarded to pop music, rock scored 13.1 percent and landed in fourth place. Interestingly, Christian music made it to top five with nine percent of votes. The younger generation is also widely represented among country music performers with such prominent names as Taylor Swift (born in 1989), who was the highest paid musician in 2015, and Hunter Hayes (born in 1991).

Country music is also able to attract crowds (and large sums of money) to live performances. Luke Bryan’s tour was the most successful tour in North America in 2016 based on ticket sales as almost 1.43 million tickets were sold for his shows. Fellow country singer, Garth Brooks, came second on the list, selling 1.4 million tickets for his tour in North America in 2016.

According to a study carried out by Deezer in May 2018, the most popular genre among Americans was rock music, with 56.8 percent of respondents stating that they were currently listening to music within this genre as of the date of survey. Pop and country music were the second and third most popular genres respectively, and 20.2 percent of respondents said they preferred jazz.

The appeal of rock and pop music

The broad appeal of rock and pop music can in part be attributed to how both genres often blend seamlessly into one another and influence other music styles. Heavy rock bands like Led Zeppelin and AC/DC are often more divisive than melodic rock groups like Bon Jovi or Genesis, just like pop music which strays into R&B territory or is better associated with hip hop or EDM. Each have their appeal to fans with different tastes, and the versatility of rock and pop (and music which combines the two) allows such music to reach adults of all ages and backgrounds.

Rock albums also account for the majority of vinyl album sales in the United States, with pop albums ranking second. However, although the resurgence of vinyl has to a certain extent been reliant on the rock genre, this is not the case when it comes to digital music consumption. Rap and hip hop accounted for 22.8 percent of music video streams in the U.S. in 2018, whereas for rock music videos the share was just 7.1 percent. Rock fared similarly when it came to audio streams, once again losing out to rap and hip hop. Taking such data into consideration, it would seem that rock music fans are generally more drawn to traditional formats and are less inclined to enjoy their music via streaming platforms.

Data on the distribution of streamed music consumption in the United States showed that rock music accounted for ** percent of all on-demand audio and video streams in 2021. The leading genre by streams was, as is almost always the case, R&B and hip-hop. Most streamed artists The demand for streamed audio content is growing year by year, and in 2021, the number of paid music streaming subscribers in the United States exceeded ** million. So which musicians are topping the digital charts? Based on the most recent data, The Weeknd, Justin Bieber, and Ed Sheeran were the top artists on Spotify based on monthly listeners in 2022. The top-10 ranking was visibly dominated by pop singers and bands that year, although Doja Cat and Eminem were the acts that amassed the largest monthly audience within the R&B and hip-hop genre. Keeping it classical A closer look at the distribution of music consumption in the U.S. by genre and format reveals that fans of jazz, rock, and classical music were among the most likely to listen to artists via physical formats. Between ** and ** percent of surveyed respondents stated that they listened to these genres via physical albums, which was above the industry average. One reason for this sense of audio nostalgia could be that these genres are particularly popular with listeners from older, less tech-savvy generations.

The statistic presents the preferred music genres of the average U.S. teenage internet user as of August 2012. During the survey, 15.3 percent of respondents stated they would choose country music if they could only listen to one genre of music for the rest of their lives. The most popular answer was pop, which 18.4 percent of respondents selected as the one genre of music they would listen to for the rest of their lives. According to the recent data, however, hip-hop/rap is the genre that is most consumed in the United States. In 2016, this genre accounted for 18.2 percent of all music songs consumed. Pop came in second place with 15.3 percent.

Preferred music genres of U.S. teens - additional information

While popular music ultimately prevails among the 13- to 19-year old age group, their allegiance to country music aligns with the preferences of rest of the population, among which country music ousted classic rock as the most popular genre in the United States.

Teenagers tend to rely on their friends to discover new music, but the majority of them never actually purchase music, or they purchase very little. This does not mean that teens do not discover new music often; besides traditional radio, the advent of online music streaming through platforms such as YouTube, Pandora, and Spotify has made it easier than ever for consumers to listen to music for minimal or no cost. In fact, listening to music online is one of the most common activities for teens and young adults in the U.S. to do when using the internet .

Music piracy is also of growing concern in the United States, especially among the younger, tech-savvy generations. Despite the availability of free music sources, almost a third of teens have pirated music or movies, and more than half of the music collections of Americans under 30 years of age has been copied, ripped, or downloaded for free. The United States leads the world in the volume of music pirated via BitTorrent.

In 2018, hip-hop and rap music accounted for 21.7 percent of total music consumption in the United States, more than double the percentage of R&B music sales. Other highly popular genres included pop and rock music, whereas just 1.1 percent of all music sold in the U.S. in 2018 was jazz.

Why are some genres more popular than others? 

Whilst music is a highly subjective medium in terms of the listener’s taste and preferences, the top genres in terms of consumption tend not to fluctuate heavily. The catchiness and familiarity of pop music is appealing to a wide range of music fans. Pop songs tend to be easy to listen to and remember, usually feature simple, snappy lyrics to avoid polarizing listeners, making pop overall less divisive than other genres because it is designed to generate mass appeal.

Conversely, religious music by its very nature is a niche genre in that it encompasses, describes or advocates certain beliefs, giving it the equal ability to alienate some listeners while appealing enormously to others, depending on their religious stance.

The hit genre of 2018 was hip-hop and rap, a music style notorious for its tendency to divide listeners. Singer Drake arguably influenced sales within the genre that year, with ‘Scorpion’ topping the list of best-selling albums in the United States based on total streams and ‘Scary Hours’ also making the top ten. Drake came tenth in the list of most successful music tours in North America, with revenue from his live concerts amounting to 79 million U.S. dollars, and second in the ranking was Jay-Z and Beyoncé with 166.4 million dollars in revenue, artists whose music is also strongly aligned with the rap and hip-hop genre.

Other artists in the genre who achieved significant influence in 2018 include Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, Cardi B, Travis Scott and Post Malone, many of whom released songs that year which garnered hundreds of millions of audio streams. The sheer amount of hip-hop and rap music flooding the music industry has had a profound effect on the genre’s popularity, and musicians in the category tend to be prolific songwriters and active social media users. Equally, artists in the genre are arguably passionate about creating music which challenges social norms in a way that rock music has always been famous for.

Music Market Outlook

The global music market is projected to experience significant growth, with a market size reaching approximately USD 64 billion in 2023 and expected to soar to over USD 95 billion by 2032, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 4.5%. This remarkable expansion is driven by several growth factors, including the proliferation of digital platforms, increasing internet penetration, and the rising demand for diverse music genres and formats across various demographics. The rapid advancement in technology has also played a pivotal role in transforming how music is consumed, distributed, and monetized, further fueling market growth.

One of the primary growth factors for the music market is the ubiquitous rise of digital platforms, which have revolutionized the way music is accessed and consumed. Services such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music have made it easier than ever for consumers to explore and enjoy a wide array of music from around the world. These platforms offer extensive libraries, personalized playlists, and various subscription models, enhancing user experience and driving subscription-based revenue streams. Moreover, advancements in AI and machine learning have enabled these services to offer highly personalized recommendations, engaging listeners and increasing user retention rates.

Additionally, the increasing availability and affordability of high-speed internet have expanded the reach of music streaming services to emerging markets, further contributing to market growth. As smartphones and smart devices become more widespread, particularly in regions like Asia Pacific and Latin America, more consumers are accessing digital music content than ever before. This has opened new avenues for artists and producers to reach global audiences without the traditional barriers posed by physical distribution. The democratization of music distribution has also led to a surge in independent artists, who are now more empowered to create, promote, and monetize their music through various online platforms.

Furthermore, the diversification of music genres and the growing appeal of global music trends have significantly influenced market dynamics. Genres like K-pop, Latin pop, and Afrobeat are gaining international popularity, attracting new listeners and generating substantial revenue. This cross-cultural exchange is facilitated by digital platforms that allow music from different parts of the world to be easily accessible to a global audience. As a result, the music market is witnessing a shift in consumer preferences, with listeners increasingly exploring and embracing diverse music styles, leading to a broader and more inclusive music industry.

The rise of Online Music Education is another transformative trend in the music industry, offering new opportunities for learning and engagement. As digital platforms continue to evolve, they are not only changing how music is consumed but also how it is taught. Online Music Education platforms provide accessible and flexible learning options for students of all ages, enabling them to learn from renowned instructors and musicians from around the world. These platforms often offer a wide range of courses, from beginner to advanced levels, covering various instruments, music theory, and production techniques. This democratization of music education allows aspiring musicians to hone their skills and gain valuable insights without the constraints of traditional classroom settings. Furthermore, the integration of interactive tools and resources enhances the learning experience, making it more engaging and effective for students.

Regionally, North America remains a dominant player in the music market, thanks to its well-established music industry and technological infrastructure. However, the Asia Pacific region is anticipated to witness the highest growth rate over the forecast period, driven by the increasing adoption of digital music streaming services and the rising popularity of local music genres. Europe also plays a significant role in the global music scene, with its rich cultural heritage and strong music industry presence. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa, while currently smaller markets, are expected to grow steadily as digital infrastructure improves and consumer spending on entertainment increases.

Genre Analysis

The music market is diverse, with several genres contributing to its dynamic nature. Pop music continues to lead the market d

During an online survey conducted in 12 Latin American countries at the beginning of 2021, over one-third of respondents in most markets included Latin music among their favorite music genres. The exception was Brazil – the only Portuguese-speaking country in the region – where Latin music was the least popular of the five genres listed. In Mexico, pop music ranked first, mentioned by almost four out of ten responding internet users. In 2020, Brazil and Mexico altogether accounted for two-thirds of the music industry revenue in Latin America.

The statistic presents data on music album sales in the United States from 2008 to 2014, broken down by genre. In 2014, 6.26 million Latin music albums were sold in the U.S. The most popular genre of the year was rock with 85.25 million albums sold. Country music was still very popular in the United States: in 2014, 30.46 million country albums albums sold, outselling such genres as pop and dance. On the whole, there were 240.7 million music albums sold in the United States in 2015, a number which fell to just over 200 million in 2016. Here you can find out which genres reported largest growth between 2009 and 2014.

Most popular music genre in the United States - additional information

Music made the transition from private pastime to a multi-billion industry as the widespread adoption of mass distribution channels, such as radio and TV, gained popularity over the years. Specialized music TV channels, such as MTV in the 1980s, added the visual aspect which enhanced the power of music. The internet then came to supply free videos on YouTube, as well as the gossip and the “who wore it better” columns, in order to craft industry superstars, like Beyoncé, Dr.Dre, Lady Gaga, and Taylor Swift. In fact, Taylor Swift is the musician with the highest payroll in the world; rock artists such as AC/DC, The Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen also appear in the top positions in the ranking.

The United States is not only home of many other internationally acclaimed artists, but it is also the origin of famous music genres such as jazz, country, blues, rock 'n' roll, hip hop, and pop. An online survey conducted in the U.S. points out that the most popular music genre in the U.S. is rock, with 40 percent of respondents choosing this option. The second and third most listened to music genres are oldies and country respectively, while hip hop/rap is favored by a smaller niche of American listeners. Rock is also the favorite road trip music of American travelers. This preference is reflected in album sales, where rock albums have outsold all the other music genres since 2008.

However, the sales of physical music album reflect just part of the consumption of this particular genre in the United States. Physical albums account for about 38 percent of rock’s music consumption, while 62 percent of rock music consumers prefer digital formats, for instance, digital albums or streaming services. As the consumption of digital music gains popularity, sales of music albums of all genres have been sinking, going from 500 million units sold in 2007 to around 200 million units sold in 2016.

According to a survey run in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2018, roughly 70 percent of British adults stated that they preferred to listen to pop music. R&B and dance were the second and third most listened to genres at 45 percent each, followed by rock and hip-hop.

Spotify dominates nationwide

When asked in the first quarter of 2020 to name the streaming services they used on a weekly basis, 64 percent of UK listeners listed Spotify. YouTube came in second, with a 39 percent listener share nationwide. Other services such as Amazon Music and Apple Music were used to a much lesser extent - by 27 and 11 percent of users respectively. Despite Spotify having the nationwide lead, when it comes to teenagers, it is a different story. YouTube emerged as the top music streaming service among UK teens in 2019, used by 57 percent of respondents in comparison to the 54 percent that used Spotify.

A new era of digital music?

In 2018, the UK brought in Europe’s second highest digital music revenue at 815.4 million US dollars. This figure outstripped France in third place by an impressive 343.9 million US dollars. Furthermore, revenue from digital music within the UK has been on the rise since 2011 while sales revenue from brick and mortar stores have continued to decline. In fact digital music revenue had more than tripled during this period, from 333 million British pounds in 2011 to over 1 billion British pounds in 2018. This was also reflected in consumer spending, which reached over 1 billion British pounds for digital music in 2019.

According to data gathered in the United States in March 2023, Pop was the most popular genre for Generation Z. ** percent of Gen Z respondents included the genre to be among their favorites. Rap or Hip-Hop was second, being mentioned by a share of ** percent, while Rock concludes the top three, reaching ** percent.

Physical albums accounted for less than ** percent of music consumption in the United States in 2021. While fans of jazz or rock music were most likely to listen to artists via physical formats, the vast majority of listeners across all genres enjoyed their favorite tracks through on-demand streaming services. Stream it, just stream it A closer look at the distribution of streamed music consumption reveals that R&B and hip-hop is the most streamed music genre in the United States. Roughly ** percent of all streams came from this genre in 2021, which can at least partially be explained by its popularity among young and digitally savvy listeners. The overall demand for streamed audio content is growing rapidly each year, and in 2021, the number of paid music streaming subscribers in the U.S. surpassed a record ** million. That same year, nearly one trillion music streams were amassed in the United States alone, signaling a bright future for services like Spotify or Amazon Music. So which artists were audiences listening to? Most popular songs In 2021, "Levitating" by Dua Lipa was the most popular song in the U.S. based on audio streams. The track from her second studio album "Future Nostalgia" was streamed a total of *** million times while also ranking among the top three best-selling digital music singles worldwide. Looking at the artists with the most streams overall that year, Olivia Rodrigo topped the charts with a combined **** billion streams for her songs "drivers license" and "good 4 u".

Live Music Market Outlook

The global live music market size is anticipated to grow significantly, reaching approximately USD 56.42 Billion by 2033, up from an estimated USD 33.23 Billion in 2024, reflecting a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2% over the forecast period. This growth is primarily driven by the resurgence of live events post-pandemic, alongside increased consumer expenditure on entertainment and a growing preference for experiential over material goods. The live music industry is witnessing a renaissance as artists and fans alike return to in-person concerts, fueled by a pent-up demand for real-world experiences and the unique communal atmosphere that live performances offer.

One of the primary growth factors for the live music market is the increased investment by event organizers in innovative technologies and marketing strategies. Enhanced audiovisual technology, including augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), is being leveraged to provide richer and more immersive experiences for concertgoers. This not only improves audience engagement but also opens up new revenue streams through virtual ticket sales and digital merchandise. Additionally, social media platforms have become powerful tools for promoting live events, allowing artists and organizers to reach and engage with a global audience more effectively than ever before. Influencer partnerships and strategic digital marketing campaigns have amplified audience reach, thus driving ticket sales and overall market growth.

The evolving consumer preference for live music experiences over traditional music consumption, such as streaming or physical media, is another significant driver of market expansion. The unique atmosphere and energy of live performances create memorable experiences that cannot be replicated digitally. This has been particularly appealing to younger demographics, who value experiences that can be shared on social media and celebrated with peers. Furthermore, there is a growing trend of consumers prioritizing spending on experiences rather than physical goods, further fueling demand for live music events across various genres and venues.

Moreover, the diversification of revenue streams is playing an essential role in market growth. Artists and event organizers are increasingly monetizing live events through various channels such as merchandising, exclusive fan experiences, and sponsorships. Merchandising, in particular, has gained traction as fans seek memorabilia and personalized items that enhance their concert-going experience. Sponsorships and partnerships with brands provide additional financial support and opportunities for collaboration, further enriching the live music offering and creating value for all stakeholders involved.

From a regional perspective, North America and Europe currently dominate the live music market, owing to the large number of established music festivals and a high concentration of popular music venues. However, the Asia Pacific region is anticipated to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period, driven by an expanding middle class with rising disposable incomes and a burgeoning interest in Western music genres. Various governments in the region are also supporting the development of music tourism, further bolstering growth prospects. As music becomes an increasingly globalized culture, more artists are touring internationally, thus expanding their reach and contributing to the live music market's growth worldwide.

Revenue Source Analysis

Revenue sources in the live music market are diverse and pivotal to the financial health and sustainability of the industry. Ticket sales remain the largest revenue generator, as they directly reflect the public's demand and ability to pay for live music experiences. The pricing strategy for tickets typically varies based on the popularity of the artist, the type of event, and the venue's capacity. Dynamic pricing models have gained popularity, allowing prices to fluctuate based on demand and availability, thereby maximizing revenue potential. Additionally, premium ticketing options, such as VIP or meet-and-greet packages, offer fans unique experiences and access, often commanding higher prices and contributing significantly to overall ticket revenue.

Another key revenue source is sponsorships, which have become integral to the financial success of live music events. Brands are increasingly eager to associate themselves with popular music events to reach their target demographics effectively. Sponsorships can take various forms, from o

Spotify has about 11 million artists and creators on the platform.

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This statistic shows the frequency of exploring music outside of favorite genres among music listeners in the United States as of May 2018. According to a survey by Deezer, **** percent of respondents stated that they sought out music that was new to them on a daily basis, and *** percent said that they never actively looked for new music outside their favorite genre.

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The graph depicts the leading music genres among African Americans in the United States as of November 2018, by gender. During the survey, ** percent of male respondents stated that R&B was one of their top three genres of music.

Here are the full list of the 10 most popular artists on Spotify and how many total song streams they have.