British labels body the BPI has announced another bumper year for music exports. The value of British recorded music abroad grew by 13.7% to £590.8m (around $710m) in 2021 – the highest since the BPI began tallying these revenues in 2000.
It’s also an acceleration on 2020’s 6% rise. Megastars like Adele, Dua Lipa and Ed Sheeran’s global success is, of course, a lot to do with this, but the body highlighted the fact that nearly 400 British artists generated more than 100m global music streams last year, up from around 300 in 2020.
Meanwhile, more than 600 British artists did more than 50m global streams in 2021, and more than 1,500 more than 10m. As ever, these figures are being released with one eye on politicians, with the BPI warning that “a supportive policy environment that ensures the UK maximises its export potential” is needed.
CEO Geoff Taylor called for “sustained support from government” for initiatives including the Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS), which counts among its alumni more than 60 British artists who generated at least 20m global streams last year.
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