The Day The Music, Did Not Die

Some notes and figures regarding the state of the music industry and its digital impact (all pulled from the 2009 Digital Music Report):

• 20% of all revenues in the music industry come via digital (source: PWC Global Entertainment and Media Report.
• Interesting (and intelligent) quote: “ A big album worldwide will sell about seven million units but many more people will enjoy the album. This is about lighting up all these other consumers.” - Rob Wells, Senior Vice President, Digital, Universal Music Group International.
• 95% of music is still being downloaded in an illegal fashion.
• The US accounts for 50% of the global digital music category (go iTunes).
• The #1 one downloaded single in 2008 was Lollipop, by Lil Wayne. He sold 9.1MM units.
• Most industry execs foresee the growth of digital music tied to mobile platforms. I agree.
• iTunes has sold more than 6 billion songs since launch.
• 20-30% of MySpace traffic was driven to unique music destinations in the platform in 2007, and probably higher in 2008.
• There are more than 1.8MM rock acts on MySpace Music, and more than 2.5MM hip hop acts.

That's just a summary. Lot's more to read.