The international breakthroughs of British artists including Olivia Dean, Lola Young and PinkPantheress helped push U.K. recorded music exports past £800 million for the first time in 2025, according to new figures from the British Phonographic Institute (BPI).
British recorded music exports totaled £800.3 million ($1.7 billion) in 2025, marking a new high since the BPI began tracking the data in 2020. The latest figure is up 50% from the £533 million ($713 million) recorded five years ago.
Related
Despite a slowing rate of growth (0.8%) compared with last year, the BPI said the emergence of a new generation of artists suggests the U.K.’s export pipeline is strengthening after several years in which breaking new talent on the global stage has become increasingly challenging.
Among the biggest contributors was Olivia Dean, whose star accelerated during the second half of 2025. Toward the end of the year, Dean earned her first Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit with “Man I Need” (No. 2), while sophomore album The Art of Loving debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200.
Elsewhere, a number of British artists have made their maiden appearances on the Billboard Hot 100 throughout 2026, including Sam Fender (“Rein Me In” featuring Olivia Dean), Lola Young (“Messy”), PinkPantheress (“Stateside”), Myles Smith (“Nice To Meet You”), Sienna Spiro (“Die On This Hill”), and Dave (“Raindance” featuring Tems). Elsewhere, RAYE’s “Where Is My Husband!” peaked at No.11, marking the singer’s biggest U.S hit of her career to date.
The U.S. also remained the biggest overseas destination for U.K. recorded music last year. It accounted for around £328 million ($438 million) of revenue, more than 40% of the annual exports total, according to the BPI.
In June, Luminate reported that U.K. artists increased their share of the U.S. streaming market by 0.8% during the first quarter of 2026, driven by the continued rise of Dean, Young and PinkPantheress alongside the return of established global stars including Harry Styles.
The Luminate report also detailed that 67 British artists each accumulated over 1 billion streams globally during 2025. Coldplay were the most-streamed U.K. act around the world last year, followed by Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Arctic Monkeys and Calvin Harris. Alongside legendary acts such as The Beatles, Elton John and Oasis, the top 20 most-streamed U.K. artists last year also included Charli xcx and Central Cee, whose debut album Can’t Rush Greatness became the first by a British rap artist to reach the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart in January.
Dr. Jo Twist OBE, BPI chief executive, said in a statement: “What was notable about last year’s record-breaking recorded music export figures was not just the contribution of a new generation of U.K. stars, but also the long journey they often had to undertake to build and connect with audiences. It is harder than ever to break an artist internationally, and it now takes longer for the mainstream to embrace new artists.
“While these figures are impressive, the slowing rate of growth highlights the need for continued international trade and export initiatives like the Music Export Growth Scheme, and for a supportive business environment in the U.K. to enable label businesses to continue to invest in British talent.”
The Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS), established in 2013, is administered by the BPI with joint funding from the Department for Business and Trade and the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), as well as from the wider British industry. It provides grants to independent U.K. music labels and management companies; the latest round of funding was announced in March with £1.4 million ($1.8 million) being distributed among 68 artists.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Fans of HUNTR/X and the Saja Boys can get ready for a “Takedown” by collecting all their favorite characters in Funko form — from Jinu to Rumi and even Derpy. Each vinyl figure is available now at Walmart and Amazon, with prices varying and multi-buy savings on select pops. But the toy brand’s latest addition includes a little mystery.
Available Sept. 17 with estimated shipping two days later, each blind box contains one figurine — either one of the five Saja Boys (Jinu, Abby, Baby, Romance and Mystery) or Crying Demon. Furthermore, fans get to hunt for a 1-in-72 Limited Edition Mystery Chase or a 1-in-1 Worldwide Chase where only a single figure exists.
BLIND BOX
Funk Pop! ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Saja Boys Blind Box
Pre-Order
Discover the excitement of unboxing with the Funko Pop! Saja Boys blind box.
Every character has a 1-in-6 chance, while lucky collectors may uncover the ultra-rare Limited Edition Mystery Chase or the legendary one-of-a-kind Worldwide Chase. Each sealed blind box includes one 3.75-inch vinyl figure, featuring Jinu, Abby, Baby, Romance, Mystery or the unforgettable Crying Demon from Netflix’s hit animated film. Perfect for collecting, trading and displaying, this officially licensed Funko collectible is a must-have for KPop Demon Hunters fans, Funko enthusiasts, and lovers of surprise mystery figures everywhere.
The original KPop Demon Hunters Funk collection consists of 4.3-inch figures of Rumi, Mira, Zoey, Jinu and Derpy with Sussie.
Funko Pop! Kpop Demon Hunters – Set of 3 Huntr/x – Rumi, Mira and Zoey Vinyl Figures
A three-piece set of KPop Demon Hunters.
Right now, Amazon is running a special deal on a set of three figures, making up all the members of HUNTR/X for just $55.00. That’s 14% off the OG price, giving you the opportunity to collect all of the girl group members to add to your collection.
Funko Pop! Animation: KPop Demon Hunters Jinu Figure
Funko also has a figure of Jinu from KPop Demon Hunters.
Each character appears in their movie-accurate costumes made of sturdy vinyl. If you or a loved one are as obsessed with KPop Demon Hunters as the rest of the world, then you’ll want to jump on this collaboration ASAP.
The collection makes a great gift for collectors or HUNTR/X and Saja Boys superfans, both young and old. Sitting on a shelf or placed on your work desk, these figures add a ton of personality to any space.
Funko Pop! Animation: Kpop Demon Hunters – Derpy with Sussie
A glow-in-the-dark Derpy and Sussie figure.
Accompanying the collector’s items, you’ll also have the option to create your own Funko figure through the Pop! Yourself option on Funko’s website. Pricing for your personalized figure will vary based on the options you choose. On the company’s website, select whether you want a singular figure or a duo. Once selected, you’ll then choose your collectible’s skin tone, hairstyle, facial features, outfits and more.
There’s a bunch of options to choose from. You also have to tackle the impossible task of deciding which group you want to rep. Are you a HUNTR/X fan or loyal to the Saja Boys? Whichever one you choose, your collectible will be able to hold a lightstick for your desired group. (You can pick both if you can’t decide.)
Netflix’s animated KPop Demon Hunters dropped in June 2025, capitalizing on the massive popularity of K-pop and South Korean culture. The film is centered around a fictional K-pop girl group HUNTR/X, consisting of members Rumi, the lead vocalist of the group; Mira, the dancer; and Zoey, the rapper. The group performs while secretly slaying demons when not on stage in order to keep peace throughout the world.
Tony Thorpe, the guitarist and vocalist who assisted in the propulsion of the English glam-rock group the Rubettes to international success in the 1970s, has died at the age of 80.
Related
Thorpe’s death was announced in a statement shared to his official Facebook page, which remembered him as “a father to Clay, a husband to Shirle, a friend to many, and a mentor to countless musicians young and old.” The message added that despite Thorpe’s declining health in recent months, “his fierce intellect and sharp sense of humour” never faltered, and said he would leave “an unfillable hole in the lives of all who knew him, or his music.”
Formed in 1973, the Rubettes emerged near the end of the glam-rock era with a distinctive blend of 1950s-inspired doo-wop harmonies and pop-rock. Dressed in their trademark white suits and cloth caps, the group broke through with “Sugar Baby Love,” which topped the U.K. singles chart for four weeks in 1974 and reached No. 37 on the Billboard Hot 100, introducing the band to American audiences. The Rubettes would go on to score additional international hits with songs including “Tonight,” “Juke Box Jive” and “I Can Do It.”
Thorpe joined the band’s classic lineup in 1974 alongside Alan Williams, John Richardson, Mick Clarke, Bill Hurd and Pete Arnesen, serving as both lead guitarist and a songwriter. He also stepped in as a vocalist, singing lead on the band’s single, “Baby I Know.” Thorpe exited the Rubettes in 1979, though he remained active across multiple musical projects. Before and after his time with the group, he worked with artists like Cilla Black and Tommy Steele, and even taught music at Blackburn College. He published his own memoir, A Bride’s Nightie, back in 2014.
Following the news of his death, Rubettes frontman Alan Williams shared a touching tribute on the band’s official Facebook page: “Mercifully now at peace. Dear Tony, our paths having crossed but fleetingly during which time was conceived wondrous music and often hilariously memorable moments. Your brilliance with the axe and the pen cannot be denied and remains with us, never forgotten. Rest now Cowboy.”
Though “Sugar Baby Love” remains the Rubettes’ signature hit, Thorpe’s gift as a guitarist, songwriter and vocalist guided the band’s sound throughout their career. He left behind a catalog that continues to resonate with fans, even five decades later.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Laneige is giving beauty lovers a new way to experience one of its most viral products. The K-beauty brand behind the viral Lip Sleeping Mask has launched a new customization experience that lets shoppers create their own personalized lip care blend. The move builds on Laneige’s previous collaborations with K-pop stars, including BTS’ Jin and KATSEYE.
At a time when consumers are looking for more personalized beauty products, Laneige is introducing a digital mix-and-match experience centered around its bestselling Lip Sleeping Mask. First launched at the brand’s flagship store in Seoul, the immersive experience is now available to U.S. shoppers exclusively through Amazon.
The experience allows customers to create their own custom blend by choosing from five flavors: Champagne, Blue Cream Soda, Sweet Candy, Lemon and Orange. After selecting two scents, shoppers can watch their choices digitally combine before adding the personalized Lip Sleeping Mask to their cart.
MAKE YOUR OWN
Laniege Lip Sleeping Mask
Two-Scent Custom Swirl
Create your lip care match with a custom overnight mask blend featuring two scents of your choice.
Laneige’s fan-favorite Lip Sleeping Mask is getting a custom makeover. Available exclusively on Amazon, the new digital experience lets shoppers personalize their overnight lip treatment by selecting two scents that are blended into their own custom creation. Made with Berry Fruit Complex, vitamin C, murumuru seed butter and shea butter, the rich formula helps replenish moisture and provide antioxidant care for visibly soft, hydrated lips by morning.
The launch arrives as Laneige continues to expand its presence in pop culture and beauty. In 2024, the brand named BTS’ Jin as its first-ever male brand ambassador, adding the global superstar to its growing roster of celebrity partnerships.
The “Butter” singer’s partnership with Laneige follows the brand’s collaborations with other major names, including Sydney Sweeney, who became the brand’s global ambassador in 2022, as well as its limited-edition collection with Baskin-Robbins.
The custom Lip Sleeping Mask experience also comes after Laneige tapped K-pop girl group KATSEYE as its newest global partners and faces of its JuicePop Box Lip Tints.
And now, fans can shop Laneige’s latest innovation and create a Lip Sleeping Mask that’s uniquely their own. See the custom mixing experience in action in the video below.
A collection of late Country Music Hall of Famer Johnny Cash’s personal archives is set to have a permanent home at Nashville’s Belmont University.
A partnership among the Cash family, the John R. Cash Revocable Trust and Belmont University allows the collection to serve as the anchor for the new Johnny Cash Learning Center at Belmont’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business’s upcoming Music Row-located building. The collection is from the late singer-songwriter’s children, Rosanne Cash, Kathy Cash Tittle, Cindy Cash, Tara Cash Schwoebel and John Carter Cash. The $8.6 million acquisition was made possible in part through the support of Scott and Sandi Borchetta, Mike and Linda Curb and the Harper House Music Foundation.
The archives collection includes some of Cash’s personal correspondence with fellow artists, family and other public figures, as well as personal notes, photographs, scrapbooks, handwritten lyrics, cassette tapes and more. Belmont also begin a digitization process to catalog and preserve the collection prior to the opening of the Cash Learning Center. That digitization effort will be spearheaded by Dr. Mary Ellen Pethel, who will serve as director of the Johnny Cash Learning Center, in partnership with Belmont University Special Collections.
The Johnny Cash Learning Center will also include space for archival research, digital and physical exhibits, and educational programming integrated into Belmont’s curriculum. The space will also include a secure reading room to allow appointment-based access for researchers, while an open digital collection allow the archival materials to be available to the public online.
“We are thrilled that our father’s archive has found a home at Belmont University. An enormous body of his work, including unpublished writings, will now be available for scholars and students to more intimately connect with the foundational elements of his artistry for years to come,” the Cash family said in a statement.
“Johnny Cash was one of the greatest storytellers in American music,” added Belmont University President Greg Jones. “At Belmont, his archives will bring those stories to life for students across every discipline. We are humbled that the Cash family chose us as the permanent home for this legacy, and deeply grateful to everyone who made it possible.”
“There is no parallel for what this means for our students and scholars,” said Brittany Schaffer, Dean, Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business. “Direct access to the personal papers and lyrics of one of the most important artists in American history is something most institutions can only dream of. The Johnny Cash Learning Center will be a place where his story is not just preserved but experienced.”
“As Trustee, it’s been an honor and pleasure to work with the family to find a home for this archive,” said Catherine Sullivan of the John R. Cash Revocable Trust. “As a lifelong resident of Nashville, Tennessee, I’m proud to know that generations of Belmont students will be able to study Johnny’s legacy.”
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Zara Larsson season is officially here. The Swedish pop star is having a major 2026, with her latest Midnight Sun era bringing together chart-topping music, festival performances at Lollapalooza and All Things Go and a growing fashion moment. For fans looking to channel Larsson’s signature Y2K style, there are plenty of new pieces to shop.
Earlier this week, the singer launched a limited Depop drop featuring pieces from her personal early-aughts wardrobe alongside upcycled Midnight Sun merch, with proceeds benefiting charity. The collection sold out within minutes, but fans can still shop her nostalgic aesthetic through official merch, including baby tees, low-rise jeans and her recently restocked True Religion collaboration now on sale.
BEDAZZLED MOMENT
Joey Low Rise Crystal Flap Cut-Off Short
Only sizes 24 to 28 are still in stock.
True Religion is bringing back the Y2K denim trend with these crystal-adorned cut-off shorts. With a low-rise fit, eye-catching embellishments and signature horseshoe stitching, they’re made for festival season.
Y2K STAPLE
One-Shoulder Ruched Top
Comes with an adjustable side ruching for a figure hugging fit.
From festival season to a night out, True Religion’s One-Shoulder Ruched Top makes a statement. The asymmetrical neckline, crystal accents and cinched detailing create a flattering look with plenty of Y2K appeal. Choose from a white or black colorway.
POP OF PINK
Jennie Mid Rise Super T Curvy Skinny Jean
Available in sizes 24 to 34.
Your denim collection deserves a pop of personality with True Religion’s Jennie Mid Rise Super T Curvy Skinny Jeans. Designed with pink Super T stitching, clean hardware and horseshoe back pockets, this style puts a playful spin on the classic denim skinny silhouette.
AFFORDABLE FIND
Oversized Zara Larsson Graphic Tee
Made from 100% cotton and available in sizes XXS to XXL.
If bold merch isn’t your style, this Hollister graphic tee offers a more understated way to rep Zara Larsson. Crafted from 100% cotton, it features a classic crew neckline, short sleeves and an oversized fit that’s easy to style with everything from low-rise jeans to cargo pants. At just $20, it’s also one of the most affordable picks in the collection and is available in four additional concert-inspired graphics.
HOT PINK DENIM
Joey Mid Rise Pink Flap Flare Jean
A pair of flared jeans with a neon pink overdye wash.
A colorful take on a Y2K favorite, these Joey Mid Rise Pink Flap Flare Jeans pair a mid-rise fit with a flared leg for a nostalgic silhouette. Style them with a baby tee or going-out top to channel Zara Larsson’s signature look. Please note: The crystals on Zara’s pair were hand-bedazzled by the singer and are not included.
BEST SELLER
Zara Larsson Midnight Sun Portrait T-Shirt
Use code HTEXTRA for 10% off, plus an additional 50% off.
Rep Zara Larsson’s Midnight Sun era with this light pink graphic tee. The front showcases a tonal portrait of the singer wearing her “Connected” tee, along with Zara Larsson’s logo underneath for a subtle nod to the album. Made from 100% cotton, it’s available in unisex sizes XS to 2X.
POP STAR STYLE
Zara Larsson T-Shirt
A mini version of Zara Larsson merch, this tee features front and back prints and comes in kids sizes only.
As Midnight Sun continues its summer takeover, younger fans can celebrate Zara Larsson’s latest era with this graphic tee. The under-$20 style comes with a round neckline, short sleeves, a bright pink logo and a Y2K-inspired portrait of the singer on the back. It’s available in kids sizes for ages six to seven and 11 to 14 years.
Larsson’s latest wave of success marks a major milestone in a career that has been more than a decade in the making. After winning Sweden’s Got Talent in 2008 at just 10 years old, the singer went on to release her debut album in 2014 and quickly became a global pop force with hits including “Never Forget You,” “Lush Life” and “Ain’t My Fault.”
Now, the Swedish singer is reaching new heights with her Midnight Sun album. Larsson recently made Billboard history by becoming the first artist to earn their first two Pop Airplay No. 1 hits in consecutive weeks, with “Stateside” featuring PinkPantheress followed by “Midnight Sun.” The achievement marks another defining moment for an artist who has continued to evolve while building a loyal fan base around the world.
The momentum isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Larsson is set to perform at Lollapalooza and All Things Go this summer, while songs from Midnight Sun continue finding new listeners after being featured throughout the latest season of Love Island USA. Between her chart success, sold-out Depop drop and Y2K-inspired merch, Zara Larsson’s latest era proves she’s entering one of the biggest chapters of her career yet.
Aaron Dessner and Gracie Abrams have now made three albums together, with the pop star’s third studio effort, Daughter From Hell, arriving July 17. But one song in particular has stirred up a few misconceptions, and in a recent conversation with Billboard, the producer cleared them up.
Hopping on a Zoom call on Tuesday (July 21) — just days after joining Noah Kahan on stage in New York to perform one of The Great Divide songs he produced, a cameo that severe weather almost ruined — Dessner addressed confusion over the production and subject of “Death Wish,” one of the most talked-about tracks on Daughter From Hell. Some listeners have expressed surprise that the spritely album version sounds so different from the somber live piano version Abrams initially recorded and released amid her Secret of Us Tour, questioning why the duo would “change” the “original.” (Spoiler alert: They didn’t.)
Meanwhile, others have speculated that Abrams’ former Eras tourmate Taylor Swift inspired eviscerating lyrics such as “And I used to pretend that it didn’t feel evil/ Your light of a million suns burns through people,” even though the Gen-Z star has only ever praised the 14-time Grammy winner and even attended her wedding to Travis Kelce earlier in July. (Abrams has also said herself that “Death Wish” is about “a friend of mine who recently was dating, like, a mega narcissist,” something doubters have either forgotten or ignored.)
But if the commenters won’t listen to Abrams, maybe they will listen to Dessner. He sets the record straight in the condensed conversation below, while also telling Billboard about his ever-evolving dynamic with Abrams, whether she fills him in on the drama that may or may not inspire her songs, his cameo at Kahan’s show and more.
What’s the story with “Death Wish”?
The studio version predates [the live recording] by several months. We wrote it, actually, the week that we recorded “That’s So True,” “I Told You Things” and [other] songs that were on The Secret of Us deluxe. In the wake of [Daughter From Hell] coming out, people were like, “Wait, what about the original version?” This is the original version.
There’s been speculation online that it’s about Taylor Swift.
Yeah, definitely not. It was written at a time when [Gracie] was writing about a friend’s ex, being in a bad relationship. So it was kind of about that person, I think. I wouldn’t even actually know who that person was.
How much do you and Gracie — or any of the artists you work with — talk about the real-life subjects of songs while you’re working on them?
Ultimately, you just become friends. Like, Gracie and I have worked together for more than six years now, and you kind of grow together, and there’s a lot of experience that has nothing to do with making songs. She’s very aware of my personal life, and I’m of course aware of hers — she’s close with my kids, for example. So I think, naturally, if she writes something, I’ll know. But we don’t really talk about it. It’s weird. It’s kind of unsaid.
I would say the same thing for other people I’ve worked with. [I’m] giving feedback at times, lyrically, but I tend to … you don’t want to be like, “Well, you’re talking about this, right?” It’s more mysterious not to.
Gracie said recently that she tried to be less “careless” this time in terms of how songs might impact their subjects. Is that something you observed firsthand?
I think she’s probably referring to certain songs that were written about past relationships. [As] songwriters, we all deal with this. What’s most compelling is to write about your own life or your experience, but … this record, to me, is more looking at herself. [She] was not editing [lyrics] after the fact, or writing and being like, “Oh, I gotta take that out. It’s too painful for someone else.”
Do you have a favorite song on Daughter From Hell?
“What If It’s Right?” is one that when I listen to it, I’m still just floored. The song “Humming” is one that we had written, and then Justin Vernon [of Bon Iver] joined us and helped finish it. It’s just so magical.
“Cold Goodbyes” is just me playing this one synthesizer DX7 organ and Gracie’s singing, and it’s almost improvised in the studio. You could just tell that that was going to be the last song of the record. It still gives me chills.
I was personally surprised that Daughter From Hell was even less pop-centered than The Secret of Us, especially at a moment when Gracie could easily start reaching for bigger chart hits.
Some of the [songs] that we left off [the album] might be more obvious [pop hits], because they fit the bill of what someone might expect, but I think where she’s coming from, who she is as an artist … her motivation is very pure. She’s not trying to chase that kind of chart success or dominance. It’s much more about what feels most compelling artistically, and this was the group of songs that felt closest, I think, to her heart.
Also, for us, they’re all hits, you know? And I think that over time, my favorite records are ones that take time to reveal themselves, and this is one of those.
You performed with Noah over the weekend and have joined Taylor and Gracie on stage several times as well. As their producer, what goes through your head when you’re up there with them?
If you would allow yourself to think for a second that the song you made in the quiet of your home was now in front of 90,000 people with their phones out, it can be pretty scary. But I love the feeling of when songs take on meaning for people — you work on them so hard, they finally get released to the world, and then you’re hearing them sung back at you.
Going on stage with Taylor at the Eras Tour, there was nothing that could prepare you for that. Those are NFL stadiums … there was no way to really know what that would feel like until you’re up there. Fortunately, she’s really good at making you feel in the moment. It felt safe. Noah, he’s so himself up there, the [same] way he is in the studio. [The Great Divide] is so loved, so the vibe is just really amazing. It felt very warm to go into that and join him.
You were originally supposed to perform with him the night prior, before that show was canceled due to severe weather, right?
There were constant meetings with meteorologists, basically. And they just figured out that, there was no safe way to do it. I was driving over there earlier in the day, and there was flooding everywhere. Even right around Citi Field, there was four feet of water.
It was a real bummer to be that close to performing, and then to cancel it. I was going to have to travel — the World Cup Final was the next day, which is very important to me [laughs] — but then we were like, “Is there a way I could stay?” And we figured it out.
Tom Waits, reconocido también por su faceta de lector y su devoción por la generación Beat, habló en una entrevista sobre los encuentros que tuvo con Charles Bukowski, a quien considera una de las mayores influencias de su carrera y uno de los poetas más importantes de Estados Unidos. Waits comparó la experiencia de beber […]
Ver más noticias en Indie Hoy.
Kneecap, el trío de hip-hop irlandés, acaba de confirmar su primer show en Argentina, que tendrá lugar el lunes 19 de octubre en el C Art Media. Las entradas saldrán a la venta a través de Passline el viernes 24 de julio a las 10 h, con todos los medios de pago habilitados y la […]
Ver más noticias en Indie Hoy.
Diciembre es el nuevo documental dirigido por Lucas Gallo, una mirada alternativa al estallido social de 2001 en la Argentina. Exclusivamente a través de material de archivo televisivo, el director propone una lectura diferente sobre lo que ocurría en las calles, la efervescencia social, el levantamiento popular y los acontecimientos dentro de los recintos de […]
Ver más noticias en Indie Hoy.