With U.S. album sales trending downwards since last year, the future of the music industry looks bleak to many. According to Reuters [click here], music sales in the second quarter of 2009 have been almost 15% lower compared to sales in 2008, pulling in modest numbers that will lead the music industry to fall for the eighth time in nine years. Ironically, it has not been new music that has helped to slow the decline of falling music sales, rather, it’s been the more classic tunes that have boosted record sales.
The death of pop king Michael Jackson and the re-release of the Beatles music catalog have given music fans a renewed interest in buying albums. Since his passing on June 25, Jackson‘s music has sold 5.5 million units in America alone. The Beatles, whose music was re-released in early September, have sold 1.3 million up to this point. This year has seen 11 albums hit the 1 million-unit mark, which is the same as in 2008. Last year’s top seller was Lil Wayne‘s “Tha Carter III,” with 2.5 million units, and this year’s top seller is Michael Jackson‘s “Number Ones,” with 1.8 million units sold.
While rock sales dropped 11.5% to 88.1 million units, R&B (including Hip Hop) dropped only 6.6% to 51.4 million units.
In other news, MTV has announce that it will air a documentary series begun by DJ AM (real name Adam Goldstein) before he passed in late August of an accidental overdose. With permission from the Goldstein family, MTV will produce an eight-part series in which AM helped families and friends of drug addicts plan interventions for loved ones.
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To be titled “Gone Too Far,” the series will see AM helping addicts between the ages 20 and 25 battle their addictions.
Lastly, Eminem‘s publishing company Eight Mile Style has finally settled its conflict with Apple and Aftermath record label. In 2004, the publishing company sued the two powerhouses after Aftermath reportedly sold 93 of Eminem’s songs to Apple for digital use [click to read]. The publishing company alleged that the transaction was done illegally, claiming that they had rights over Em‘s music. Eight Mile Style reportedly demanded millions from Apple and Aftermath, claiming losses.
The three companies came to agreement last Thursday, although details of the settlement have not been disclosed. All companies have declined to comment on the issue.
