Podcaster, Writer & Consultant Jay Gilbert’s 2026 Music Predictions
Hypebot’s Future Predictions series is back. Join us as we ask the music industry’s expert analysts what they think might unfold in the world of music in 2026.
Jay Gilbert is a digital marketing innovator. He’s pioneered the industry’s first digital-only label, and he’s run award-winning campaigns for Nirvana, Bob Marley, KISS, and more. He’s the founder of the newsletter and podcast, Your Morning Coffee, which has over 25,000 subscribers. He’s also a consultant and the co-host of two other top industry podcasts, and a frequent contributor to Hypebot.
We asked Jay if he had any predictions for the music industry in 2026. Here’s what he had to say:
1. Performers Will (Finally) Get Paid When Their Songs Are Played on the Radio in the US
“Did you know that when your performance is played on the radio in the US, you get zero compensation? Let’s look at “I Will Always Love You”, written by Dolly Parton. Whitney’s version blew up… She (Whitney) got paid nothing for those spins in the US (only the songwriter).
The American Music Fairness Act [AMFA] requires terrestrial radio stations to pay performers when they play their songs on the radio. It’s a $14 B business on the backs of performers and songwriters. Digital platforms already pay and the US one of few countries not compensating performers for radio airplay (others include China, Russia and North Korea). Everyone knows this is bullshit. No, it won’t put any radio stations out of business. Annual fees equate to an accounting rounding error.
Do the right thing, US radio. We’re all watching. It’s time.
2. Suno: Introducing the GAW (Generative Audio Workstation)
We’re hearing increasingly more songs (words and music) that were created by (or assisted by) generative AI. Xania Monet, became the first AI-powered artist to debut on an airplay chart this year, and is one of several AI-driven acts to chart over the past three months, according to Billboard; that growing list includes Breaking Rust, Cain Walker, Childpets Galore. Unbound Music, Enlly Blue, and Juno Skye.
While it’s true that there are plenty of generative AI platforms that will create a song from your text prompt, one platform is blazing a new trail, Suno. Top Nashville songwriters are using Suno every day, not to write songs, but to arrange, record and demo them.
Nashville songwriters take demos very seriously, often recording them in the style of an artist they hope will cut the track. Nothing is left to chance. With Suno, they can upload their guitar or piano tracks and build from there, auditioning various instrumentation, styles, strings and horns. In 2026 I see Suno becoming a go-to GAW (generative audio workstation) with capabilities we can’t even imagine today.
3. Limits on Ticket Scalping Profits ARE Coming
The ticketing world has taken a lot of heat for high prices, system failures. hidden or “junk” fees and an overall lack of transparency. But there’s plenty of blame to go around. One problem that is finally getting its day in the sun is ticket scalping — re-selling tickets for big profits that the artists and teams putting on the shows don’t participate in. Another is what’s called “speculative tickets.” This is when a broker sells you a ticket for an event that they don’t actually possess. (What could possibly go wrong?)
It’s not fair fight when a fan is competing with professional ticket brokers assisted by software to buy up the best seats in the house then turn around and flip them for huge profits. The BOTS act (Better Online Ticket Sales) is a step in the right direction but it needs to be enforced. IMHO, there should be a maximum 15% cap above face value for ticket resellers.
Sorry SeatGeek, StubHub etc. Nothing personal.”
