Latin music recorded $490.3 million in revenue in the first half of 2025, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) announced in its mid-year Latin music report released Friday (Oct. 17). According to the analysis, that number represents 6% growth over last year’s mid-year’s wholesale value, outpacing growth for the same period across the overall U.S. market.
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Earlier this year, the RIAA began reporting figures on a wholesale basis, which makes it difficult to compare year-over-year performance for metrics other than overall wholesale revenue (previous year’s reports used retail value as the revenue metric). Still, the report states that, once again, streaming dominated over all other formats, providing 98% of total revenue, as Latin music delivered $271.1 million in paid subscription revenue. Furthermore, Latin music revenue is up for the 12th straight year at mid-year, and Latin music represents 8.8% of total recorded music revenue in the U.S.
“Latin music in the U.S. continues to gain popularity and generate increased value thanks to the incredible artists whose music connects across language and geographical barriers with support from creative label partnerships,” Matt Bass, RIAA’s vp of research, said in a statement. “At a mid-year high approaching half a billion dollars, Latin music continues to earn new listeners and invigorate existing fans. With streaming offering more access than ever to legacy voices and next generation icons defining today’s culture, Latin has become the second-fastest growing genre in America.”
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A number of Latin acts helped usher in another record mid-year for Latin music revenue, including Fuerza Regida, whose 111XPANTIA reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 — the highest-charting Mexican music album ever. Bad Bunny has also been a key figure this year with Debí Tirar Más Fotos, which ruled the Billboard 200 for four weeks and has so far spent 37 weeks atop Billboard‘s Top Latin Albums chart following the LP’s release in January. Latin music’s growth over the past few years has also been driven by the success of Karol G, Peso Pluma, Tito Double P and Rauw Alejandro, all top finalists at this year’s Billboard Latin Music Awards.
The 36th anniversary of Billboard Latin Music Week, which will feature exclusive panels, conversations and performances by Latin music’s biggest stars, will take place Oct. 20-24 in Miami, coinciding with the Billboard Latin Music Awards on Oct. 23. Purchase tickets to Billboard Latin Music Week 2025 here.
