British Prime Minister David Cameron praised UK music artists, Adele, Coldplay and Amy Winehouse’s contribution to the British economy today.
In this report from the Telegraph, David Cameron said “British music is loved all over the globe, and as a country we can be proud of the tremendous success of our music industry, which is a world leader.”
David Cameron praises British music
British Prime Minister David Cameron has praised UK music after Adele leads a rise in global sales for 2011.
The Prime Minister was reacting to British Phonographic Industry (BPI) estimates which suggest that albums by British acts – including Adele, Coldplay and Amy Winehouse – amassed 1.9 billion last year in worldwide sales, up from 1.83 billion in 2010.
Mr Cameron said: “British music is loved all over the globe, and as a country we can be proud of the tremendous success of our music industry, which is a world leader.”
He added that he was determined “to support British creative businesses that generate jobs and opportunities for young people.”
The spike in sales was driven by a hugely successful year for soul singer Adele, whose second album, 21, was the world’s best-seller last year. Her debut album, 19, was the third best-selling British album worldwide for 2011, while Coldplay’s Mylo Xyloto and Amy Winehouse’s Lioness: Hidden Treasures were the second and fourth best-selling respectively.
Overall, UK artists accounted for 12.6% of global music sales in 2011, up from 11.8% in 2010, according to the BPI.
Adele has reached another milestone as her career continues to soar – she’s become the fourth British star in five years to record the world’s biggest-selling album.
The Someone Like You hitmaker has now sold 18 million copies of her record 21, accounting for 1.6 per cent of total album sales around the world.
It means Adele follows her fellow Brits Amy Winehouse for her latest Lioness: Hidden Treasure album, Coldplay and Susan Boyle, who have all topped the international album sales chart since 2007.
With Amy Winehouse’s contribution to the British economy and the charity work the Amy Winehouse Foundation provides, young British people will hopefully benefit now and into the future.
