The answer to the question of whether rock music generates more revenue than hip-hop music is a complex one and depends on several factors, including the market size, popularity, and target demographic of each genre.
According to a report published by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), in 2019, the total revenue generated by rock music was $2.9 billion, while hip-hop/R&B generated $7.7 billion. This disparity in revenue could be attributed to hip-hop’s popularity among younger audiences and its crossover appeal to other genres, such as pop and electronic dance music (EDM).
Another factor to consider is the size of the market for each genre. The hip-hop market is larger than the rock market, with more artists, labels, and fans. This larger market size allows for a wider range of revenue streams, including merchandise sales, touring, and streaming.
In terms of touring, hip-hop artists tend to have more lucrative tours than rock artists. According to a report by Pollstar, the top-grossing hip-hop tours of 2019 were led by Travis Scott, <a href="https://blog.jambox.io/who-is-the-queen-of-rap-music/”>Cardi B, and Post Malone, all of whom grossed over $100 million in tour revenue. In comparison, the top-grossing rock tours of the same year were led by Elton John and Pink, who grossed $84 million and $52 million, respectively.
Furthermore, hip-hop has a more extensive merchandise market than rock, with hip-hop artists often collaborating with fashion brands to release limited-edition clothing lines. These collaborations can generate significant revenue for both the artist and the brand.
It’s also worth noting that the rise of streaming has had a significant impact on the music industry, and hip-hop has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of this shift. According to the RIAA, streaming accounted for 80% of the total revenue generated by the music industry in 2019, and hip-hop was the most streamed genre on platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music.
In conclusion, while the revenue generated by rock music is significant, hip-hop generates more revenue overall. The larger market size, popularity among younger audiences, and wider range of revenue streams, including touring and merchandise sales, contribute to hip-hop’s financial success. Additionally, the rise of streaming has also benefited hip-hop, making it a more lucrative genre in terms of revenue.
Source:
- Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA): 2019 Year-End Music Industry Revenue Report.
- Pollstar: Top 50 Worldwide Tours (2019).
