As the year 2024 comes to a close, the music industry is bustling with new releases, notable performances, and significant industry updates.
In the hip-hop realm, December is seeing a flurry of new albums. YoungBoy Never Broke Again is set to release his latest LP, *I Just Got a Lot on My Shoulders*, on December 8. This album, which includes several singles already released throughout the year, marks a significant release before the rapper begins his 27-month prison sentence[1].
Another highly anticipated release is Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre's *Missionary* album, scheduled for December 13. This reunion album, delayed multiple times since its announcement in 2022, features guest appearances from Eminem, 50 Cent, and Method Man, among others[1].
DMX's legacy continues with the posthumous release of *Let Us Pray: Chapter X*, which includes four songs and four instrumentals, along with guest appearances by Snoop Dogg and Lecrae[1].
In the rock music scene, several classic and contemporary artists are releasing new and reissued material. The Rolling Stones are releasing a live project titled *Welcome to Shepherd's Bush*, recorded during a 1999 concert. Blue Oyster Cult is celebrating their 50th anniversary with *50th Anniversary Live: Third Night*, and Jethro Tull is releasing *The Jethro Tull Christmas Album* subtitled *Fresh Snow at Christmas*[4].
Duran Duran is expanding their latest LP with a deluxe release of *Danse Macabre*, featuring bonus tracks, including a cover of ELO's "Evil Woman". Other notable releases include reissues from George Harrison, Neil Young, and a 30th anniversary reissue of the *Pulp Fiction* soundtrack[4].
On the industry front, 2024 has seen a significant return of investment in the music sector after the economic downturn in 2022. Major players are acquiring music rights and positioning themselves to leverage proven catalogs. This trend is highlighted by various acquisitions and deals, such as Audius's multi-territory ICE licensing deal[2][5].
TikTok continues to be a major player in music discovery, though it faces challenges, including a potential ban in the USA unless its parent company, ByteDance, sells the app. Spotify has also been in the news for its controversial attempts to reduce music payments when bundled with audiobooks and for comments from its CEO, Daniel Ek, about the cost of content creation nearing zero[5].
Live concerts have been a lucrative avenue for megastars, with acts like Adele and The Weeknd drawing massive crowds and generating unprecedented profits. This contrasts with the economic challenges faced by lesser-known acts and smaller venues[5].
In terms of controversies, 2024 has seen several high-profile lawsuits. Drake is suing his label's parent company over allegations of unethical tactics to boost a rival track by Kendrick Lamar. Miley Cyrus is facing a copyright infringement lawsuit over her song "Flowers," despite the original song's writers opposing the suit[5].
Apple Music is ending the year with a bang, hosting a New Year's Eve livestream event accompanied by a 24-hour DJ takeover, featuring artists like Björk and Skepta[2].
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