What kind of year has it been in the music biz? Let’s start with some wild stats. Taylor Swift’s individual overall market share stands at 1.7%, with 15.6m album units YTD—more than Mercury, Big Loud and Imperial combined. That’s crazy enough, but even without Taylor, the Republic group would still be #1 in current share. Now that is dynastic dominance times two.

At midweek KQ/RCA's ATEEZ is on track for a #1 opening as five new titles hit the Top 10—three of them K-pop and one Latin. Meanwhile, Warner’s Linkin Park will debut in the runner-up spot with...

I.B. assesses the aftermath of the Grammy noms and how they reflect the biggest biz and music stories of 2024.

With six weeks left in 2024, the signs of good cheer are popping up all over. Wicked is shaping up as the holiday movie; upbeat earnings reports bring visions of sugarplums to Live Nation, Sony and Spotify; Grammy noms and Latin Grammys conjure shiny objects; and Linkin Park has just the gift for rock fans. Plug into HITS List.  

Vocal marvels Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are earning major props for their performances in the long-anticipated movie musical Wicked, and we fully expect the Verve/Republic soundtrack to catapult composer Stephen Schwartz’s beloved songs to the forefront of the zeitgeist.

I.B. Bad addresses the outcome of the election and its possible implications for the biz and beyond. 

This time out, Grammy accomplished its most important task: It rewarded some of the most essential artists and recordings of the last year in the top categories. By our reckoning, they were about 80% on the money.