New BPI analysis shows British music exports have grown to over half a billion pounds for the first time

Highest figure recorded since 2000, when the BPI began its annual survey of record label overseas income

More artists share in this success as 500+ UK acts hit 50 million global streams per year

BPI calls for a new music partnership with Government to fully unleash British music’s potential and double annual exports to more than 1 billion by 2030

Streaming has pushed the value of the UK’s music sales and streams overseas to over half a billion pounds for the first time since records began, according to new figures released by the BPI, the UK’s independent and major record labels association.

The statistics reveal that the consumption of British music worldwide, which continues to rise, driven by the dynamic growth of music streaming, generated 519.7 million in export earnings in 2020 – an increase of 6% on 2019 and the highest figure recorded since 2000, when the BPI began its annual survey of record label overseas income. 

The UK is the largest exporter of music in the world after the USA, and around 1 in 10 of all tracks streamed globally are now by a British artist. A BPI report earlier this year, All Around The World, found that with the right support, including a continuation of the successful Music Export Growth Scheme that has benefitted SME independent companies and their artists, annual UK music exports could reach 1 billion by 2030.

The growth in music exports has been powered by British artists and labels successfully harnessing the global reach of streaming, with 300 British artists already achieving more than 100 million streams annually. Indeed, more than 500 UK artists now achieve 50 million streams per year or more, part of a rapidly expanding cohort of British talent for whom streaming is already generating a significant annual income, even before taking into account earnings from physical and digital sales, TV/radio, brand partnerships and, in normal times, live performances.

Major artists who have broken through in recent years such as Dua Lipa, Harry Styles, Lewis Capaldi, Stormzy, Little Mix and The 1975 have made a huge impression across the world, whilst more-established superstar artists who have been leading the way, such as Ed Sheeran, Adele, Coldplay, Sam Smith and Calvin Harris, continue to post impressive streaming and sales figures internationally. The global popularity of British classic artists such as The Beatles, Queen, Pink Floyd and The Rolling Stones similarly remains undimmed.

Building on this strong heritage, the UK recorded music industry continues to discover and develop, and promote and invest in a diverse array of vibrant new music talent. Independent and major label artist rosters are consistently growing and now also include a new wave of rap, hip hop and R’n’B/soul and dance artists such as Dave, Mabel, Jorja Smith, Headie One, J Hus, AJ Tracey, Aitch, D-Block Europe, Joel Corry, Gerry Cinnamon and Jax Jones, to name just a few, that are adding greater depth and breadth to the UK’s global appeal and profile.

Geoff Taylor, Chief Executive BPI & BRIT Awards, said:

“The explosive growth of music streaming around the world represents an unprecedented opportunity for British music. With global competition intensifying, now is the time to push hard, to actively promote our artists to a global audience and maximise our share of global growth, with artists such as Dua Lipa, Harry Styles, Lewis Capaldi, Stormzy, The 1975 and Mabel, among many others, now leading the way alongside the likes of Ed Sheeran Adele, Coldplay and Arctic Monkeys. 

“As the UK builds back from Covid-19 and forges its future as an independent trading nation, music can play a pivotal cultural and economic role. We call on Government to seize the moment and make music a champion of our global trading ambitions.”

The UK cannot be complacent, however. Despite this record growth in overseas revenues, the UK’s overall share of global music revenue is slipping within a hugely competitive global marketplace. The UK currently accounts for around 10% of the global total, down from a peak of 17% in 2015. Similarly, while the UK’s 6% growth in exports in 2020 is encouraging, overall the global music market grew more quickly (8.2%, IFPI). While some of this may be down to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the fact that artists have been unable to perform live, it emphasises the fact that the UK must work harder than ever before to market its music to the rest of the world and retain its share of an expanding global market. 

The BPI therefore repeats its call on the Government to strike a new strategic partnership with the music industry to seize the exceptional opportunity presented by rapidly growing music exports fuelled by streaming, so that, as we build back after Covid, the full economic and cultural potential of British music can be unleashed.

In particular, the UK Government should:

1. Double the successful Music Export Growth Scheme grant support, which generates a 12-1 return, and invest in international showcases and events that will help to promote British artists to the world; 

2. Ensure that a Cultural Exports / International Office provides effective targeted support to the commercial music sector, in particular to help navigate new administrative requirements following the UK’s departure from the EU, as well as facilitating cultural collaboration. 

3. Introduce a music production tax credit to encourage new investment into creating new recordings in the UK, boosting the generation of UK IP, jobs and skills; 

4. Prioritise agreements with the EU and third countries to enable artists and crews to tour and promote their music as easily as possible, and to make the UK easily accessible for global talent looking to visit the UK to record and perform;

5. Raise standards of copyright protection and enforcement in key export markets through trade negotiations, rejecting any watering down of UK copyright in deals.