Music Biz Hoping Kanye, 50 Cent Releases Will Revive Genre…
Posted September 12, 2007 — in Music News
Simon Cowell on Britney Spears…..The Worst Comeback in History.
“[MTV] they exploited Britney in helping to end her career. When Britney was opening, near the end, I felt so bad for her. I said, ‘Man, it’s a dirty game. This game will chew you up and spit you out.’” - Kanye West to NYZ’s Z100
Speaking of Kanye, he will do just fine as arrogant as he is - but his genre is having trouble..
As we already know, rap sales are in trouble. The music biz is hoping 50 Cent and Kanye West can revive the sinking genre although its highly doubtful.
Through the first half of the year rap albums are down 30% according to Neilson Soundscan with 26 millions sold to date.
Not to long ago hip hop acts were selling close to 100 million albums in the U.S.
Rap has declined the fastest among all genres but radio doesn’t seem to look at that trend. If top 40 Radio really wanted to make an attempt to keep its influence then HIP HOP wouldn’t DOMINATE the playlists. At least keep the playlist balanced.
Mayfield said hip-hop is also showing its age as a genre. It had practically 20 straight years of growth but it has finally gotten to the point for that it is an established genre prone to the same the cyclical issue that other established genres face. (NYPOST)
Rap Music Sales in Units
2004 - 81.4M
2005 - 75.1M
2006 - 59.5M
2007 - 26M
This is a pretty weak analysis of what is actually happening– “Rap has declined the fastest among all genres but radio doesn’t seem to look at that trend.”
While hip-hop may very well be going through a bit of a cyclical decline as noted above (lets face it, nothing lasts forever)– overall consumption has not. There has been a dramatic increase in demand for hip-hop & urban music in general across p2p networks, through mixtapes, etc. and we must remember that just because sales of the genre are way down does not necessarily mean that overall interest has waned in the same way.
Comment by tannylyle — September 12, 2007 @ 1:50 pm
honestly, most of my friends are bored of rap. Its the same thing. A commodity. Lost its spark. No creativity. Hip and Rap are degrading to Women. You see one video, you have seen them all. I listen to other genres now..
Comment by lizzz — September 12, 2007 @ 7:27 pm
i agree KOAR - every time i turn on the radio i hear rap or hip hop. I dont want to drive to work and back thinking im in a club. Hip Hop may be cool when im about to party Friday Night, but i dont want the BEATS at 10:00am in the morning.
I just have thousands of songs on my iPOD and play what i feel. I am no longer a victim to a PD who loves the BEATZ…
Comment by tom — September 12, 2007 @ 7:30 pm
I hope radio becomes interesting again. I wish they played NEW music. I cant stand hearing the same song over and over again. Why cant they wedge NEW songs on the playlist?
Is there seriously nothing out there? nothing that deserves radio play?
Comment by Rachel — September 12, 2007 @ 7:32 pm
Just switched to XM - hear alot of NEW Music, much more than radio…
Comment by Davie — September 12, 2007 @ 7:34 pm
Are digital tracks included in the unit count?
Comment by Kenan — September 12, 2007 @ 8:57 pm
Davie, check out XMfan.com also we have been in rotation on XM Squizz for about 11 months.our new tune “THIS SPELL” should be up on Squizz in 4 weeks.
they even give breaks to the “unsigned”
Comment by larry anderson — September 13, 2007 @ 4:27 am
“Lost its spark. No creativity. Hip and Rap are degrading to Women. You see one video, you have seen them all. I listen to other genres now..”
There’s a lot of artists doing different things though it seems the major labels would rather force feed us this garbage that they “think” we want. They’re no longer willing to take chances on something different. Hip hop was in better hands when it was run by the indies, Profile, Select, Sleeping Bag, and Def Jam (when they were indies). You could pick up a Slick Rick, EPMD, Big Daddy Kane, Run DMC or a De La Soul and Public Enemy. You could be a fan of Kool G Rap’s street music and still appreciate the quirkiness of a Tribe Called Quest.
Since the hip hop has become big business it seems the labels are more worried about turning a quick buck and rehashing the same tired schtick over and over. The kids coming up now only see what’s on videos and on the radio and that’s what the try and copying only adding more crap to the industry.
There are still hip hop artists more concerned with making good music as opposed to just following trends you just have to look beyond what BET and urban radio are feeding you. Artists like Blu & Exile (one of the best album of the year… see itunes), Kidz in the Hall, Talib Kweli, Common, Blue Scholars hell even Kanye West.
Due to the shuttering of a lot of mom and pop stores as well as larger retailers, shelf space is limited so you probably won’t find a Blu & Exile cd in stores, which is a damn shame. Since they’re on a small indie there’s no money to pay “independent promoters” to get their stuff all over the radio.
But with a little research… you’ll find that there’s a lot of good hip hop still being created.
Comment by Cartel — September 14, 2007 @ 4:43 am
Time to Move on People!!!
Comment by Michael Barile — September 14, 2007 @ 8:19 am
How can something drop 30% and overall consumption be up? Give me a break Will Ya! Get over it already!
The only thing that’s been keeping this “STUFF” alive.
Is GATEKEEPING!! There is plenty of great NEW MUSIC out there, and The “PIMPS”, “HO’s” “Bitches” and “Gangsta’s” know that soon they’ll be nothing they can do to STOP IT!!! Except maybe START SIGNING IT!!!
Comment by Michael Barile — September 14, 2007 @ 8:31 am
“The “PIMPS”, “HO’s” “Bitches” and “Gangsta’s” know that soon they’ll be nothing they can do to STOP IT!!! Except maybe START SIGNING IT!!!”
There’s another option…
They can kill it ….
Comment by Cartel — September 14, 2007 @ 9:20 am
Only if we let them! (lol) They won’t, their not that
stupid……………I hope!
Comment by Michael Barile — September 14, 2007 @ 12:22 pm
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