Pop and Hip-Hop rule streaming, but Rock is on the rise
This is music to my ears.
Billboard reports that an AI-powered hit song analytics platform ChartCipher reveals some interesting trends in the music that dominated streaming in 2023.
Hip-hop and pop remain the kings of streaming, each claiming 27% of all entries on Billboard's Streaming Songs chart. Country saw a significant surge, grabbing 20% of the chart, while rock held steady at 19%. Notably, both country and rock experienced major gains in 2023, with country's presence more than doubling compared to the previous year. This can be attributed to the success of artists like Morgan Wallen, Taylor Swift, and Zach Bryan.
The overall mood of streaming music is shifting towards brighter tones. While darker-sounding songs still held the majority in 2023, their presence has been steadily declining since 2020, dropping from 65% to 42%. Conversely, brighter-sounding songs are on the rise, reaching 37% in 2023 – their highest level in over a decade. This shift is likely due, in part, to the declining influence of hip-hop production on the chart.
Major keys are also making a major comeback. From 2019 to 2022, songs written in major and minor keys were roughly equal on the Streaming Songs chart. However, 2023 saw a significant surge in major keys, again partly due to the decline of hip-hop, which often favors minor tonalities. In 2023, major-key songs dominated the chart with a 66% to 34% lead over minor-key entries. This trend reflects a shift towards a more optimistic and upbeat sound in popular music.
The decline of hip-hop's influence is echoed in other data points as well. ChartCipher's analysis aligns with broader trends suggesting a potential shift in listening preferences. A separate report by another music analytics company, not mentioned in the original article, indicates that the public's sentiment towards hip-hop might be cooling down. This report highlights a 58% increase in rock's representation on the singles charts over the last year, while hip-hop songs have seen a dramatic 37% decline.
This shift is also reflected in the instrumentation of charting hits. The prevalence of guitars is at its highest point in a decade, rising 56% from 2022 to 2023, while piano use is on the decline. Additionally, the tempo of charting songs has slowed down, with many falling into the mid-tempo category.
Overall, the 2023 streaming landscape saw continued dominance by pop and hip-hop, but also witnessed a rise in country and rock, along with a shift towards brighter sounds, major keys, and a more guitar-driven, mid-tempo feel. This suggests that listeners are increasingly seeking out music that uplifts and inspires them, and that the musical tide may be subtly turning towards a different and more melodic sound.
Now that’s music to my ears.