Overview

The music industry is constantly evolving.

27.2% in 2003.

2

During the same period,

Styles of popular music, change at a

while sales of albums by foreign artists 

dizzying rate, requiring artist & repertoire

in the top 200 continued to decline, albums

(A&R) departments at record labels to

by Canadian artists led by Shania Twain,

stay on their toes. More notably, the latest

Avril Lavigne, Sarah McLachlan and

shift in music format and consumer

Diana Krall actually grew 36.8%.

3

It's

behaviour to the online realm has the

little wonder that in a recent survey con 

global music industry playing catch up. The

ducted by Millward Brown, more than

result: five years of declining music sales.

90% of Canadians said they consider the

quality of music produced by Canadian

Between 1999 and 2003, the value

artists to be equal to or better than that of

of music sold dropped 28%, from

foreign artists.

4

$1.3 billion to $946.4 million.

Canadian artists` share of the top

This downturn is as true in Canada, the

200 best selling albums in Canada

world's sixth largest music market, as

has increased from 15.1% in 2001

elsewhere. Between 1999 and 2003, the

to 27.2% in 2003.

value of music sold dropped 28%, from

$1.3 billion to $946.4 million.

1

Last year,

Canadians also shone on the international

the decline in value was 2.9%, and some

stage, based on foreign album sales as well

predict the slump to continue for at least

as performing rights royalties collected

another year.

by the Society of Composers, Authors and

Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN).

Ironically, the last few years have been a

Between 1999 and 2003, Canadian artists

period of incredible success for Canadian

garnered 144 album certifications from

artists, both at home and abroad. On the

their three largest foreign markets alone 

y

strength of releases from the likes of

the United States, the UK and France.

Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Avril Lavigne

Performing rights royalties from interna 

and Nickelback, Canadian artists' share

tional sources have flowed to SOCAN

of the top 200 best selling albums in Canada

songwriters, composers and publishers in

has increased from 15.1% in 2001 to

higher numbers, reaching $47.3 million

4