New artists lead the UK’s recorded music market, says BPI

Almost three-quarters of 2022’s Top 100 hits emerged from this last decade, new industry figures from the BPI have revealed. 

The findings, revealed in the BPI’s ‘All About the Music’ 2023 yearbook, showed how new music and artists are leading the UK’s recorded music market, suggesting there are more opportunities for emerging talent to succeed than ever before. 

Nearly four in every five streams generated by the year’s top 15,000 tracks was for music released after the millennium and more than a quarter for music from the last two years;

Music from the 20th Century accounted for just a fifth of last year’s streams, while fewer than five percent of streams were for tracks from the 1970s and only 2.6 percent for 1960s releases. 

James Brister, ICMP’s Industry Liaison Manager, said: 

"We’re delighted to see the results of this latest BPI support and how new artists are leading the UK’s recorded music market. The findings show how music audiences have a real appetite for new artists."

It’s great news for anyone looking to launch a music career as it demonstrates their potential to shape the future of the music industry, ambitions we are able to support through our fantastic programmes and in-depth industry knowledge."

The share claimed last year by tracks from the 2010s included 'Location' by Davefeaturing Burna Boy, 'Shape Of You' by Ed Sheeran, George Ezra’s 'Shotgun', Harry Styles’ 'Watermelon Sugar' and Lewis Capaldi’s 'Someone You Loved' which all featured among the year’s top 100 streamed tracks. 

According to the BPI, the enduring popularity of these songs highlights how a successful new release can result in continued long-term demand through repeat plays and an audience that relentlessly grows over time.

There is also potential for a stream to generate additional and ongoing income.  

The BPI annual Yearbook 'All About The Music 202s' is free to BPI members but can be purchased here.

Previous industry statistics showed how UK recorded music revenue rose in 2022 for the eighth successive year.