Global Music Reports Highlights Nashville's Influence

The 2025 Global Music Report, released by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) this week, underscores Nashville’s rising influence on global music industry trends, spotlighting its evolution beyond its traditional country music roots. 

The Tennessean reports a 9.8% growth in global recorded music revenues for 2024, reaching $30.4 billion, driven largely by a 10.5% surge in paid streaming subscriptions (now at 615 million users worldwide). 

Nashville’s contribution shines through its expanding footprint in this digital boom. The city, long dubbed “Music City,” is no longer just a country music hub—its influence now spans pop, rock, hip-hop, and Americana, fueled by a blend of legacy institutions like the Grand Ole Opry and a thriving independent scene. The IFPI report, per Marcus Dowling’s analysis, points to Nashville’s artists and studios driving streaming gains, with acts like Post Malone and Lainey Wilson bridging country with broader genres, boosting global playlists.

Nashville’s infrastructure—over 200 recording studios and a $7.5 billion economic impact on Tennessee (RIAA, 2024)—positions it as a creative powerhouse. The report highlights how the city’s collaborative culture, seen in events like the Opry’s centennial celebration (5.3 million viewers), amplifies its trendsetting power. Artists like Jelly Roll and Morgan Wallen, who dominate streaming charts, exemplify Nashville’s shift toward genre fluidity, a trend the IFPI flags as defining 2025’s music landscape. X posts echo this, with users noting Nashville’s knack for exporting “vibes” that resonate worldwide, from TikTok-driven hits to hybrid sounds.

The report also ties Nashville’s influence to industry shifts like AI and live music’s resurgence. With 74,289 songwriters (RIAA) and a growing tech presence, the city is poised to shape innovations in music production and distribution, even as FCC Chairman Carr’s anti-DEI stance (March 21, 2025) looms over corporate deals like Paramount-Skydance. Globally, Nashville’s model—melding tradition with adaptability—offers a blueprint as revenues climb toward Goldman Sachs’ $45 billion projection by 2030. Its influence isn’t just numbers; it’s a cultural recalibration, redefining how music connects in a streaming-first world.