Rosalía & Peso Pluma Drive Sony Music’s Double-Digit Sales Rise

Sony Music Group is riding high on the global success of Latin artists, reporting a double-digit increase in quarterly sales. The company’s fiscal third quarter revenue climbed to 542.4 billion yen ($3.47 billion), a 60 billion yen jump, with operating income rising 9% to 106.4 billion yen ($681.2 million). The strong performance is largely attributed to the streaming dominance of Rosalía’s latest album, Lux, and the collaborative project from Peso Pluma and Tito Double P, Dinastía.

Lux, Rosalía’s fourth studio album, proved to be a chart-topping force, debuting with five number-one songs across Billboard charts. The album’s success, coupled with a re-release of Pink Floyd’s iconic Wish You Were Here, significantly contributed to the revenue surge. Notably, Wish You Were Here reached the number one spot in the United Kingdom the week of Christmas.

The impact of Música Mexicana is also undeniable, with Peso Pluma emerging as a leading figure in the genre’s global expansion. His collaborative album with Tito Double P, Dinastía, has become one of the most streamed albums of the quarter, solidifying Peso Pluma’s position as one of the fastest-growing Latin artists in Spotify’s history. He was the first artist to go from 2 million to 50 million monthly listeners on the platform in under a year, a testament to his rapidly growing fanbase.

Sony Music isn’t solely reliant on streaming, however. The company also saw a 17% increase in revenue from vinyl records and other physical music sales, reaching 35 billion yen ($224 million). This resurgence in physical media, alongside a 30% uptick in revenue from live events and merchandise, contributed to a 13% overall rise in recorded music revenue, totaling 355 billion yen ($2.27 billion).

Looking ahead, Sony Music Group anticipates continued growth, revising its full-year revenue forecast upwards to 70 billion yen ($448 million), a 4% increase from previous guidance. Operating income projections have also been raised by 16% to 60 billion yen ($384 million), fueled by anticipated releases from Harry Styles, A$AP Rocky, and Luke Combs in the coming months.

The company’s publishing division also experienced significant growth, with revenue increasing 14% to 108 billion yen ($691 million). Visual media and platforms also contributed to the positive results, with revenue rising 14% to 76 billion yen ($487 million), driven by the continued success of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle.

The financial results reflect a broader trend of increasing profitability within Sony Group Corporation. In its Q3 FY2025 earnings call, Sony reported record results with 1% year-over-year revenue growth to JPY 3.71T and a 22% year-over-year increase in operating income to JPY 515B. Gaming, Music, and Semiconductors were identified as key drivers of this profitability.

Peso Pluma’s ascent has been further recognized within the industry. He was recently honored with the BMI Champion Award at the 2025 BMI Latin Awards, acknowledging his significant contributions to Música Mexicana and his overall impact on the music landscape. Tito Double P was also presented with the BMI Impact Award during the same ceremony. Peso Pluma has accumulated 13 BMI Awards, a GRAMMY for Best Música Mexicana Album for GÉNESIS, and four Latin GRAMMY® nominations, including Record of the Year and Best Contemporary Mexican Album for GÉNESIS.

The success of artists like Rosalía and Peso Pluma underscores the growing global demand for diverse musical voices. Sony Music’s ability to capitalize on this trend, coupled with its continued investment in both streaming and traditional revenue streams, positions the company for sustained growth in the evolving music industry. The company also noted that a weaker U.S. Dollar resulted in a 5.1 billion yen ($32.7 million) gain in the quarter, benefiting from the conversion of U.S. Dollar sales into Japanese yen.

The company’s strategic initiatives, including a joint venture with TCL and the acquisition of Peanuts, signal a long-term commitment to diversification and expansion beyond its core music business. These moves, combined with the strong performance of its existing divisions, suggest a confident outlook for Sony Group Corporation as it navigates the complexities of the global entertainment market.