As the year 2024 draws to a close, the music industry is abuzz with new releases, notable performances, and significant industry updates.
In the hip-hop realm, December has seen a flurry of new albums. YoungBoy Never Broke Again released 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. Another highly anticipated release is Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre's *Missionary* album, scheduled for December 13, featuring guest appearances from Eminem, 50 Cent, and Method Man, among others.
Additionally, 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.
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*. 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".
On the hard rock and metal front, several albums are set to release in the final days of December. Notable releases include Dominum's *The Dead Don't Die*, Genocide Kommando's *Third World War*, and Úlfarr's *Fornetes Folm*, all scheduled for December 27.
In terms of industry updates, 2024 has seen a significant return of investment in the music sector after the economic downturn in 2022. Major players are acquiring music rights, with Audius recently inking a multi-territory ICE licensing deal. This trend highlights the ongoing shift in the music industry, with new investors emerging to acquire existing music rights.
Live concerts have been a lucrative avenue for megastars, with acts like Adele and The Weeknd drawing massive crowds and generating unprecedented profits. However, this contrasts with the economic challenges faced by lesser-known acts and smaller venues.
Controversies have also marked the year. 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.
On the streaming front, 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 been in the news for its 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.
To cap off the year, Apple Music is hosting a New Year's Eve livestream event accompanied by a 24-hour DJ takeover, featuring artists like Björk and Skepta.
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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
