The Music Industry Has Stepped Up As The Pandemic’s Most Generous Donor

The music industry has been among the most affected by COVID-19, but, as businessman Stephen Brooks says, it has responded with great “generosity.”

Even though the growth in revenue in the music industry doesn’t compare with that of audiovisual productions or video games, it has been the industry that has demonstrated the most altruism during the global COVID-19 crisis.

“Everyone from the artists to the businesses have been hit hard by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Stephen Brooks, creator of the online music channel Latido Music, told Efe.

Nonetheless, he affirms that “they have demonstrated such generosity that brings honor to our art. I’ve never been more proud to belong to the global music family.”

This pride is due to the response of artists towards the crisis, as they were among the first entertainment figures to support the creation of funds to help the working class, provide concerts on social media, and give donations to help fight the pandemic.

Ricky Martin was among the first to come forward and, through his Instagram, has insisted to his followers the importance of staying home and donating to foundations that are helping to fight the virus.

The virtual concert phenomenon began with Juanes and Alejandro Sanz, whose approach was then followed by Panamanian artist Sech and Jorge Drexler, from Uruguay, who hoped to bring their music to the homes of their fans. Eventually, businesses both small and large and TV channels followed their lead.

Anglo-Saxon artists have also started their own initiatives. Rihanna announced that she had donated five million dollars through her Clara Lionel Foundation, “for food banks in high-risk communities and elderly citizens in the US, as well as the purchase of tests and materials to help the sick in Haiti and Malawi.”

Streaming platforms have also opened up their wallets, donating to funds destined to help workers in the industry who, for the most part, worked for them. Spotify donated 10 million dollars and launched an initiative that would match the donations from their listeners.

The data collected from reports run by companies like Nielsen and Billboard indicate that the growth in music has remained stable in comparison to other sectors of the entertainment business, which have been struggling. “Some have even declined. There are indicators that point to a slight user decline in music platforms and on Youtube.” 

Even then, the spirit of musicians doesn’t let up and every day they keep announcing new events on social media and organizations in need of support to help fight the pandemic. 

Click here to learn more about the music industry’s generosity during the pandemic.