Peru’s music industry, once battered by the pandemic like many across the region, is bouncing back and then some. In 2024, for the first time, total recorded-music revenue reportedly cleared the US$50 million mark, reviving hopes for artists, labels and promoters alike. What’s behind this rebound? A shift in listening habits, a surge in streaming, and a cultural moment that’s putting homegrown Peruvian music back in the spotlight.
As Spotify (Latin America) puts it: “Peru’s music industry is healthier than ever, reaching record-breaking levels largely driven by streaming.” By examining the forces at play from charts to consumption, from cumbia’s resilience to rising urban-music scenes we get a picture of a country rediscovering its sound.
Streaming as the engine, how digital transformed the landscape
Streaming is no longer a niche: it is the main driver of Peru’s music boom. According to a 2023 report, Peruvian artists collectively earned around US$52 million on Spotify a historic high.
Globally as well, Spotify disbursed over US$10 billion in royalties in 2024 alone, underscoring how much the economics of music have shifted.
For Peru, that shift meant a wider distribution of income: the number of artists making more than 50,000 soles annually reportedly doubled compared with 2021.
That democratisation more artists earning meaningful revenue is transforming what it means to “make it” in Peruvian music. And the data suggests that this isn’t just about a few superstars: many smaller and independent artists are now able to build sustainable careers thanks to streaming.
Cumbia leads the charge, the enduring power of traditional genres
If there is one constant in Peru’s rapidly shifting music scene, it’s the resilience of cumbia. The 2025 edition of Spotify Wrapped 2025 placed traditional cumbia bands among the most listened-to artists in the country, underlining how deep and widespread the genre’s appeal remains.
Bands like Grupo 5, Corazón Serrano, Armonía 10 and La Única Tropical consistently dominate streaming charts.
That matters. In a country where much of the population values humility, accessibility and cultural authenticity over polished superstar glamor, cumbia resonates across social and economic divides. For many Peruvians whether in coastal cities, highlands or jungle towns this music carries memory, identity and communal ties.
A new generation urban and cross-border scenes rising fast
But Peru’s musical story isn’t limited to traditional rhythms. Urban music and crossover genres are gaining traction, especially among youth aged 15–30. Artists such as Gonzalo Genek, Jaze, MNZR, Lui5 and Vincez are starting to collaborate beyond Peru in Spain, Colombia, Mexico and Argentina.
This cross-border collaboration, along with genre blending, reflects a broader trend: Peruvian music is no longer just local. It has global ambition. Combined with the infrastructure provided by streaming, younger artists have a shot at reaching international audiences and reshaping what “Peruvian music” sounds like.
Challenges and inequalities, why streaming doesn’t solve everything
Here’s the thing: streaming brings opportunity, but it also brings challenges. In many parts of Peru particularly rural or economically marginalized areas access to smartphones or reliable internet remains a barrier. For those listeners, platforms like YouTube (or other lower-cost video platforms) remain dominant. As a result, streaming revenues may still underserve the full population.
Moreover, despite the recent uplift, not every artist benefits equally. While the top earners now make more, many mid- or small-tier musicians struggle to translate streams into sustainable incomes. Even globally, there are concerns that streaming’s payout model favors volume meaning the most streamed tracks and artists get the lion’s share of revenues.
Media infrastructure also remains uneven across Peru. Live-performance venues, promotion budgets and distribution networks especially outside Lima are still less developed than in major Latin American capitals. So for many artists “breaking in” outside the cumbia mainstream remains tough.
What’s next! Where Peru’s music industry could go from here
Given current trajectories, there are five areas to watch:
- Regional diversification. As more streaming-savvy listeners emerge outside major cities, coastal, highland and jungle regions could develop distinct musical identities. Marketing strategies will need to adapt accordingly.
- Fusion and experimentation. Expect more collaborations between traditional cumbia bands and urban or experimental artists creating hybrid sounds rooted in Peruvian identity but appealing to global audiences.
- Live music revival. Once pandemic restrictions fade, demand for concerts and festivals could soar especially in cities beyond Lima.
- Independent growth. Smaller, indie labels and self-producing artists might use streaming and social platforms to bypass traditional gatekeepers.
- Cross-market collaborations. Partnerships with neighboring music hubs (e.g. Mexico, Colombia) could accelerate, opening international circuits for Peruvian talent.
More than recovery, a renaissance in motion
Peru’s music industry is more than just back on its feet. What we’re seeing now looks like a renaissance one that blends tradition and modernity, roots and global ambition. The surge in streaming revenue provides hope, but real change will come if that potential reaches across the country across regions, genres and communities.
For artists, labels and industry players, the challenge is to build equitable infrastructure and seize momentum while the spotlight is bright. For listeners, it’s an invitation: dive deep into your local sounds they might define global Latin music’s next chapter.
