Music Industry Sees Fastest Growth in More Than 20 Years

  • Spotify, Apple drive 17% gain in sales, strongest in 23 years
  • Streaming grows to more than triple physical sales of songs

Photographer: Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images

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The music business posted its fastest growth since Boyz II Men and Hootie & the Blowfish topped the charts 23 years ago.

U.S. recorded music sales climbed 17 percent to $8.7 billion last year, the second straight gain in domestic revenue, the Recording Industry Association of America said Thursday.