A new BPI report published today shows UK artists’ share of US and Canadian music markets has risen significantly - and for the fourth year in a row. More than one in ten albums sold in North America are now by British acts, with their market share rising to 10% during 2008 from 8.5% in 2007. In Canada, British artists accounted for almost 15% of album sales, up from 12.5% in 2007.
The UK’s success is thanks to a mixture of older established acts building on their past success in the territory, such as Coldplay and Radiohead, and younger new acts breaking into the market for the first time, including Duffy, Leona Lewis, Estelle and The Ting Tings.
Commenting on the report and the success of UK artists in North America, Tony Wadsworth, BPI Chairman said:
“Britain’s creative industries consistently excel on the world stage – with British music chief amongst them. After the US, we are the biggest exporter of repertoire, and in the US itself the UK is the second largest source of repertoire after US home grown artists. The increase in our North American market share reflects the UK’s enduring ability to create world-class artists.”
“One of the great things about the music business, is that the success of these artists will help other new acts break through. Revenues generated from sales abroad are crucially important for new acts, with UK labels reinvesting an estimated 20% of their revenues back into A&R.”
Geoff Taylor, BPI Chief Executive added:
“The outstanding performance of British artists in the United States and Canada reflects the unique voice that our country's talent brings to the world. It also reflects the energy, enterprise and investment that British music companies commit to breaking their artists overseas."
The BPI report throws some light on the success of UK artists at the 2009 Grammy Awards. Former Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant and American bluegrass star Alison Krauss led the way – their Raising Sand collaboration saw them win five Grammys including those of Record of the Year and Album of the Year. Also, Coldplay were awarded three awards including Song of the Year.
Ends–
For more information please contact Sarah Beyer on 0207 803 1395 or email Sarah.Beyer@bpi.co.uk
Notes to editors:
UK artists’ share of US album sales 2003 – 2008
2003 8.5%
2004 7.6%
2005 8.1%
2006 8.2%
2007 8.5%
2008 10%
UK artists selling 1m+ tracks
Coldplay - 5.054
Leona Lewis - 4.728
Natasha Bedingfield - 3.923
M.I.A. - 2.235
Queen - 1.725
Estelle - 1.565
Rolling Stones - 1.304
Led Zeppelin - 1.176
Duffy - 1.039
Top 10 UK Albums in USA 2008
1 2 Coldplay Viva La Vida Capitol
2 5 AC/DC* Black Ice Columbia
3 13 Leona Lewis Spirit J
4 48 Amy Winehouse Back To Black Republic
5 54 Duffy Rockferry Mercury
6 55 Radiohead In Rainbows ATO Records
7 78 R.Plant & A.Krauss* Raising Sand Rounder
8 80 Natasha Bedingfield Pocketful Of Sunshine Epic
9 101 Led Zeppelin Mothership Atlantic
10 116 AC/DC* Back In Black Columbia
* Dual Nationality
Top 10 UK Single Track Downloads USA 2008
1 1 Leona Lewis Bleeding Love Syco
2 8 Natasha Bedingfield Pocketful Of Sunshine Epic
3 15 M.I.A. Paper Planes Interscope
4 25 Coldplay Viva La Vida Capitol
5 33 Estelle ft. Kanye West American Boy Atlantic
6 46 Leona Lewis Better In Time J
7 64 Coldplay Viva La Vida (New Edit) Capitol
8 67 Duffy Mercy Mercury
9 70 Gavin Rossdale Love Remains The Same Interscope
10 86 Natasha Bedingfield Love Like This Epic
Top 10 UK Albums in Canada 2008
1 1 AC/DC* Black Ice Columbia
2 2 Coldplay Viva La Vida EMI
3 14 Leona Lewis Spirit J
4 30 Amy Winehouse Back To Black Island
5 41 Radiohead In Rainbows Fontana North
6 45 Duffy Rockferry Polydor
7 67 Led Zeppelin Mothership Rhino-Atlantic
8 84 Johnny Reid Kicking Stones Open Road
9 90 James Blunt All The Lost Souls Atlantic
10 94 Sarah Brightman Winter Symphony EMI
* Dual Nationality
About the BPI
The BPI represents the UK recorded music business, and is a trade organisation funded by its members - which include the UK's four major record labels and hundreds of independent music companies. BPI members account for more than 90% of all recorded music sold in the UK, and globally the UK's recorded music market is the third biggest. Its work covers protection (anti-piracy, lobbying), promotion (the charts, industry stats, the BRITs) and support & representation (events & services for members, media relations).
The BPI also organizes the annual BRITs show and the organising company, BRIT Awards Limited, is a fully owned subsidiary of the BPI. Proceeds of the show go to The BRIT Trust, the charitable arm of the BPI that has donated almost £15m to charitable causes since its foundation in 1989.
For more info on the BPI and what it does, visit - http://www.bpi.co.uk/