Latin American Music Revenue Soars
Latin American music generated half-year revenue of $490.3 million in the first half of 2025, up nearly 6% from the same period last year. Music from across Latin America — including best-selling albums from Bad Bunny, Fuerza Regida, Rauw Alejandro, Karol G and more — helped the genre grow faster than the U.S. market in 2025.
The Power of Streaming
Streaming is doing all the heavy lifting and is responsible for a massive 98% of this increase, with paid subscriptions alone generating $271.1 million. This significant growth can be attributed to the ease of access to Latin music through streaming platforms, allowing fans to discover new artists and listen to their favorite songs with just a click.
Industry Insights
"Latin music continues to grow in popularity and generate greater value in the U.S. thanks to the incredible artists whose music transcends language and geographic barriers with the support of creative label partnerships. With a mid-year peak of nearly half a billion dollars, Latin music continues to gain new listeners and revitalize existing fans," said RIAA Vice President of Research Matt Bass. “With streaming providing more access than ever to legacy voices and next-generation icons shaping today’s culture, Latin has become the second fastest-growing genre in America.”
Changes in Reporting
As announced last month, the RIAA is now using wholesale figures in its reporting. According to the organization, this change will help capture the “continuous evolution in the music business across new formats, platforms and business models.” Historically, the RIAA has measured retail value using sales-based data as its primary measure. This shift in reporting methodology aims to provide a more accurate representation of the music industry’s current landscape.
Streaming Dominance
However, similar to previous years, the data suggests that streaming accounts for a majority of US revenue, accounting for 98% of the pie at $481.6 million (the increase in paid subscriptions generated $271.1 million). This marks the 12th consecutive year of mid-year growth, with Latin music overall accounting for 8.8% of U.S. music revenue. The dominance of streaming in the music industry is undeniable, and Latin American music is no exception to this trend. As the music landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Latin American music and streaming platforms continue to shape the industry.
