From 1999 to 2009, what drastic shift changed the music industry?

The correct choice highlights the emergence of internet-based digital sales technologies, notably Apple’s online iTunes store, which revolutionized how music was consumed and purchased during that time period. From 1999 to 2009, the music industry experienced a profound transformation with the introduction of digital downloads. This shift allowed consumers to purchase individual songs rather than entire albums, significantly altering sales dynamics.

iTunes in particular made buying music more convenient and accessible. It played a crucial role in legitimizing digital music sales, helping to combat piracy while establishing a new revenue model for artists and record labels. As a result, music consumption shifted from physical formats like CDs to digital formats, changing the landscape of the industry forever.

This period also coincided with the decline of physical album sales and highlighted a growing trend toward digital music consumption, influencing future developments in streaming services that further shaped the industry landscape. Thus, this answer captures the essence of the major changes that took place in how music was distributed and consumed during that decade.