In 2024, Warner Music faced significant challenges while also achieving remarkable feats. Its Atlantic division underwent a major overhaul, and the entire business and the industry as a whole witnessed changes. However, it can be safely said that the company is ending the year on an upward trajectory. Warner Records has successfully completed a multi-year turnaround, with hits from Zach Bryan, Teddy Swims, Benson Boone, and many more. The chief executives, Aaron Bay-Schuck and Tom Corson, were named Variety's Hitmakers executives of the year. Atlantic also had a flurry of hits from Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga, Coldplay, Rose, and Charli xcx. In publishing, Warner Chappell division has three of its writers up for the songwriter of the year Grammy - Jessi Alexander, Raye, and Amy Allen, who was named Hitmakers songwriter of the year.

Warner Music's 2024 - A Journey of Growth and Innovation

NEW TALENT

This year, Warner Music has led the industry in terms of impactful new talent. Benson Boone had the biggest song worldwide in 2024, and Teddy Swims had the biggest song in the US, the largest market. Both are signed to Warner Records and Warner Chappell and are up for Best New Artist at the Grammys. Amy Allen became the hottest songwriter globally and is nominated for Grammy Songwriter of the Year along with WCM's Jessi Alexander and Raye. Across the world, there is an extraordinary new generation lighting the way forward, including Artemas, Aziya, Bea and her Business, BENNETT, Bug Eyed, Dasha, Florence Road, Forrest Frank, Jeff Satur, Jordan Adetunji, The Marías, Michael Marcagi, Tokischa, Roxy Dekker, TitoM, and Yuppe. These artists are bringing fresh sounds and new ideas to the music scene.

For example, Benson Boone's unique musical style and Teddy Swims' soulful voice have captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. Amy Allen's songwriting skills have set her apart, and her nominations are a testament to her talent. The new generation of artists is pushing the boundaries and creating a buzz in the music industry.

NEW HEIGHTS

Warner Music has also helped established artists and songwriters reach new heights. Bruno Mars became the biggest artist in the world, smashing records with 138 million monthly listeners on Spotify. This was partly due to new collaborations, including with ROSÉ, who set new streaming records for a K-pop soloist. Charli xcx's "Brat" brought a radical newness, and Linkin Park's record-breaking return with a soulful new singer was a significant event. Additionally, there were incredible new projects from stars around the world such as Alex Warren, Ana Mena, Ayed, AYLIVA, Bailey Zimmerman, Burna Boy, Cardi B, Charlie Zhou, Coldplay, CYRIL, Dani Fernández, David Guetta, Diljit Dosanjh, Don Toliver, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Fred again.., Geolier, Gunna, Iñigo Quintero, Jack Harlow, Kenya Grace, King, Lay Zhang, Lil Uzi Vert, María Becerra, Megan Thee Stallion, Michael Bublé, Miriam Bryant, Myke Towers, NLE Choppa, SCH, twenty one pilots, TWICE, and Zach Bryan. Reissues of iconic music from David Bowie, Grateful Dead, Green Day, Joni Mitchell, Madonna, Neil Young, and Talking Heads also won new fans and drove new spikes in streams.

The success of these established artists shows Warner Music's ability to support and enhance their careers. The collaborations and new projects have added a new dimension to their music and reached a wider audience. The reissues have also reminded fans of the timelessness of these iconic artists.

NEW WORLD

Warner Music has not only helped its artists and songwriters do new, brave, and disruptive things but has also held itself to the same standard. The industry is at a pivot point, and the changes made this year have put the company in a strong position. Due to the changes, the company has delivered on its promise to put more money behind the music, growing its A&R investment by double digits. It prioritized market share growth, bringing in pioneering new leaders in major markets like the US with Atlantic and in Japan. It also invested in talent and entrepreneurs in high-growth territories such as India. The company has shrunk the world, flattening its structure to make it easier for artists to break worldwide while fully globalizing its catalog and distribution services. It successfully advocated for innovation in pricing and royalty models at the streaming services and demonstrated the potential of AI with Randy Travis as an example.

The throughline of Warner Music's success is its ability to amplify unique voices, increase contrast, and bring the shock of the new. Going into 2025, the company aims to expand the music ecosystem while growing its share. Its mission is to turn dreams into stardom and audiences into fans.