New data from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and the Official Charts have revealed consumption of rap and hip-hop singles and albums reached an all-time high in terms of market share in 2020!
Figures revealed that titles classed as rap and hip-hop accounted for 22% of all UK singles consumptions last year, while albums in the same genres accounted for 12.2% consumption in the UK. Both figures are the highest ever for rap and hip-hop which continues to soar.
Data also found UK talent accounted for a third of rap/hip-hop UK singles consumption in 2020, with the analysis finding that Headie One, Dave, S1mba and AJ Tracey got up to 50 million plays in the UK each.
Other artists such as Bugzy Malone, Young T & Bugsey, and M Huncho, as well as female rappers such as Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion and Doja Cat, have also been acknowledged by BPI for contributing to the rise of rap and hip-hop in the UK.
The data has been published ahead of All About the Music 2021 – the 42nd edition of the BPI Yearbook – which evaluates UK music consumption and trends.
“To know how much Black British music has impacted the music industry at large is something that I couldn’t be more proud of,” says Joesph Patterson, Editor-in-Chief at Complex UK and Founder of TRENCH.
“From the days when Grime and UK Rap was an afterthought in mainstream spaces, to now being a driving force in the UK’s musical landscape — it just goes to show that with great music and an even greater work ethic, the sky really is the limit.”
For more information on the data, click here!