Independent artists make up 55% of nominations in all non-producer and non-spoken word categories, according to tabulations from A2IM. In 43 of the 81 categories, majority of nominees were on independent labels.
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The 2018 Grammy nominations have again recognized the importance of independent music.
The independent music label sector accounts for about 37% of U.S. recorded music sales market, based on copyright ownership; but independent artists made up 55% of all 2018 Grammy nominations in the non-producer and non-spoken word categories.
In the Jazz, 92% of the artists nominated were on independent labels. In the American Roots and Composing/Arranging categories, 80% were indie.
Leading Indie Labels
Concord Music Group led independent labels with 12 nominations, Mack Avenue had 8, Naxos 7 and the Beggars Group landed 5 nominations. Ninja Tune/Counter Records received 4 nominations), and three each went to Big Machine, Compass Records, Eleven Seven Music, Numero Group and Sub Pop.
“Independent music is doing better than ever with a record global market share of 37.32% according Billboard. Last year more than two-thirds of Grammy nominations were independent releases. Independent music’s authenticity, vitality, and genre diversity ensure its keystone role in the recording industry and American culture. A2IM thanks the Recording Academy and its members for its inclusiveness.” says A2IM CEO Richard James Burgess.
Here is a complete list of independent Grammy 2018 nominations.