Data Visualization supports Music industry report
The Problem
While the U.S. once played a foundational role in the development of EDM, its current global standing has diminished compared to the rest of the globe. This raises two questions:
Can the U.S. reclaim influence in the global EDM scene?
What factors will drive or hinder its evolution?
Trends vs Culture
Electronic dance music popularity has been on the rise in the United States since the 2010s. Once a prolific force in American culture, EDM has only been able to sustain short spurts in popularity. Is its recent rise just another phase, or is EDM here to stay?
Due to the data-centric perspective of this article, charts and maps are used to keep the reader engaged through large volumes of information.
History
Within the article, a concise overview of the history of EDM is presented. It is clear that America’s influence on the overall genre of EDM was the highest in the 1970s and 1980s. This sets the stage for how electronic music can reestablish itself as a staple in American culture.
1970s Disco Era: Emerging from a blend of soul, funk, and Latin music, coupled with advances in DJ technology and techniques (beat matching) led to the rise of Disco and club culture.
1980s Techno & House Takeover: Inspired by the disco movement and combined with the development of new technology such as synthesizers, drum machines, and MIDI Technology (Musical Instrument Digital Interface), house music was born in Chicago.
1990s EDM goes Global: The explosion of the rave culture, with genres like trance, drum and bass, and hardcore gaining massive popularity across Europe and the U.S., led to EDM being a part of mainstream culture for the first time.
2000s Breaking Into the Mainstream: The rise of digital production and online music distribution through platforms like Napster and Soundcloud, made EDM more accessible than ever.
Factors
Through research, three primary factors point to sustained popularity & longevity for American EDM culture. Each category has relevant data sets and charts connected to the article.
EDM Listers are the Ultimate Media Users
Looping Music is Highly Successful on Social Media Platforms
EDM Fans Dominate the Global Fesitval Scene
The combination of these factors should lead to a continued rise in the popularity of EDM in the United States and the re-establishment of subgenre cultures throughout the country.
Data Visualization
Supporting charts and maps were made using Data Wrapper
What’s Next
While the U.S. EDM scene may have lost some of its global prestige, the ecosystem is primed for reinvention.
EDM is primarily produced using electronic instruments and software. Not only does this create a level of creative freedom that is not achievable with physical instruments, but the technology required to produce this type of music is more accessible than other genres. It requires only a laptop and music production software. EDM’s new ultra-accessible nature is why the future of this genre is so bright!
