As the year 2024 comes to a close, the music industry is buzzing with several notable releases, performances, and industry updates.
In the hip-hop realm, December is seeing a flurry of new music. YoungBoy Never Broke Again is set to release his album *I Just Got a Lot on My Shoulders* on December 8, despite his upcoming 27-month prison sentence. This album marks his first project of 2024 and includes several singles he has been releasing throughout the year[1].
Another highly anticipated release is Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre's reunion album *Missionary*, scheduled for December 13. This 15-song album features guest appearances from Eminem, 50 Cent, and Method Man, among others. The lead single, "Gorgeous," features Jhene Aiko[1].
Additionally, DMX's posthumous project *Let Us Pray: Chapter X* is set to release, containing eight tracks including guest appearances by Snoop Dogg and Lecrae. This follows his previous posthumous release, *Exodus*, in 2021[1].
In the rock music scene, several special reissues and live recordings are on the horizon. The Rolling Stones are releasing *Welcome to Shepherd's Bush*, a live project recorded during a 1999 concert in London, available in various formats including 4K UHD and vinyl. Blue Oyster Cult is celebrating their 50th anniversary with *50th Anniversary Live: Third Night*, recorded at New York City's Sony Hall. Jethro Tull is also releasing a Christmas album titled *Fresh Snow at Christmas*, which includes all-new artwork and additional live material[5].
On the industry front, 2024 has seen significant financial investment returning to the music space after the economic downturn in 2022. Major players are engaging in buying, trading, and positioning themselves to leverage proven music catalogs. Notable lawsuits have also been a highlight, including Drake suing his label's parent company over unethical tactics and Miley Cyrus facing a copyright infringement suit over her song "Flowers"[4].
AI's influence on music has been a contentious topic, with major labels suing AI-music startups like UDIO and SUNO for training their models on copyright-protected content. This legal battle will set important precedents for AI use in music creation[4].
In terms of platform drama, TikTok continues to be a major player in music discovery but faces challenges, including a potential ban in the USA unless its parent company, ByteDance, sells the app. Spotify has also been in the spotlight for its attempts to pay less for music when bundled with audiobooks and for CEO Daniel Ek's controversial statement about the cost of content creation nearing zero[4].
Live performances have been a lucrative avenue for megastars, with acts like Adele and The Weeknd drawing massive crowds and generating unprecedented profits from mega-concerts. This trend highlights the economic challenges faced by lesser-known acts and smaller venues[4].
Finally, Apple Music is ending 2024 with a New Year's Eve livestream event and a 24-hour DJ takeover, featuring artists like Björk and Skepta. This event caps off a dynamic year in the music industry marked by significant releases, performances, and ongoing debates about technology, creativity, and ownership[2].
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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
