2008 in Music

What do music fans have to look forward to in 2008? The music industry had quite an interesting year in 2007. Sales of albums continued to decline, while downloads rapidly rise. Several new acts including Amy Winehouse, Daughtry, and Taylor Swift carved names for themselves while pop stars like Justin, Beyonce, and Rihanna show they may be here for a while.

What does this mean for music in 2008? Will sales continue to slump, or is Josh Groban's Holiday Triumph, Noel, a sign of things to come? It is still unclear what will exactly happen. Perhaps the key to sales these days is producing wholesome tunes. Disney soundtracks also ruled in 2007. Perhaps music buyers are sick of raunchiness and erratic behavior.

2008 could easily be a diva showdown. Count on releases by Mariah Carey, Ashanti, Beyonce, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, and Madonna. They are all sure to make a splash on the charts, airwaves, and concert halls all across the globe. 2008 could be a make or break year for artists like Janet; it could also cement the careers of artists like Alicia Keys. Female artists like Carrie Underwood, Alicia Keys, and Mary J Blige, who all released material in the fourth quarter of 2007, will also be big.

Lil Wayne, Usher, and Coldplay are also scheduled to release albums of new material in 2008. It will be interesting to See if Wayne will finally sell some major units, and whether or not Usher still as mass appeal. 2008 should definitely be a better year for the music industry. A lot more big names are scheduled for releases the new year and well, how can things get worse? I seriously doubt that they industry could decline any more then it already has.

Scandal and controversy will continue to cast a shadow over Hollywood in 2008 as well. We will continue to watch Amy Winehouse and Britney Spears self-destruct, while artists like Rihanna continue to wear less clothing. I have a feeling we have only begun to experience the ridiculousness of Ms. Britney Shameless. Expect more of her antics in 2008.

Michael Jackson should also be a spectacle in 2008. The pop legend will is scheduled to re-release "Thriller" and is reportedly in the recording studio on a daily basis. He will continue to be a freak of nature in the next year. There is no telling what kind of music or social impact he will have in the next year though. Tabloids will have a field day in 2008!

Sources: Ukmix.org, billboard.com