Major Record Labels

Major record labels

 

Major record labels are large companies within the music industry that may in addition own smaller record labels. The music industry is known to be dominated by three major record labels which include; Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group.

Sony Music Entertainment UK is part of one of the largest music and entertainment companies in the world. It has a broad array of local artists and international superstars, as well as a vast catalogue comprising of some of the most important recordings in history. The major record label owns a number of smaller companies including; Arista and J Records. . Arista manages artists such as, Alicia Keys and Avril Lavigne.

A few examples of bands/artists signed to Sony:

• The Tings Tings

• The Clash

• MGMT

• Justin Timberlake
• R.Kelly

 

The EMI Group is a British music company. It is the fourth largest business group and family of record labels, in the recording industry, make it one of the 'big four' record companies. EMI Group also has a major publishing arm- EMI Music Publishing- based in New York City. The company was once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index but is now wholly owned by Terra Firma Capital Partners.

A few examples of bands/artists signed to EMI:

 

• Whitesnake

• Iron Maiden

• Spice Girls

• Kate Bush

• The Beatles

 

Warner Music Group (WMG) is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, also making one of the big four companies. The current incarnation of the company was formed in 2004 when it was spun off from Time Warner, and as a result, Time Warner no longer retains any ownership. Warner Music Group also has a music publishing arm called Warner/Chappell Music, which is currently one of the world's largest music publishing companies. The Warner Music Group record label also owns smaller companies within the music industry such as; Atlantic and Warner Bros Records. Atlantic manages artists within the music industry like Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars and Wiz Khalifa. Warner Bros Records manages artists including Biffy Clyro, Jason Derulo and The Veronicas. Warner Music Group is owned by Time Warner, the world’s largest media conglomerate which has links with film and entertainment, publishing and television. 

A few examples of bands/artists signed to the Warner Music Group:

• Death Cab For Cutie

• Gnarls Barkley

• Basshunter

• Fleetwood Mac

• Enter Shikari

Universal Music Group (UMG) is the largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry. It is the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations. This major record label also owns a number of smaller companies who manage an array of artists. Some of the smaller companies the Universal Music group own are; Def Jam and Island Records who also manage Jessie J, Drake and Nicki Minaj.

A few examples of bands/artists signed to the Universal Music Group:

1.    Lady Gaga

2.    Gwen Stephani

3.    Keri Hilson

4.    Young Jeezy

5.    Mariah Carey

3.      Do the major labels own smaller companies and which artists do they manage?

 

4.      Are there any links within Media e.g. TV/Film/Magazines Etc?

 

 

Independents

 

 

An independent record label is a music label that operates one or a few music labels. It operates without funding of the organisations of the major record labels. A number of artists and bands begin their music career being signed to an independent record label. Independent labels can be just as successful but operate from a smaller company base. They are traditionally known as offering more ‘organic’ music rather than manufactured mainstream although this is only in opinion.

 

Throughout the UK there are a number of independent record labels some of which include; Rough Trade records, Arcade Fire and The Strokes. All of which are very successful in the UK.  Rough Trade who managed artists such as The Libertines began as a record shop, opened by Geoff Travis in Kensington, in February 1976. It was inspired by what Travis has described as the "community-based environment" of the City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco, and specialized in garage rock and reggae. The record label was formed two years later in1978 with artists mainly of genres including; punk, indie pop and reggae. Another well known independent record label is warp records which was founded in 1989. Warp Records is known for discovering some of the most enduring artists in electronic music. Warp have managed some of the best music artists and has been very successful not have conglomerate company funding. Some of theses artist are Aphex Twin, Maximo park and Flying Lotus.

 

In my opinion I do not believe that four companies should dominate the music industry there many reason that I feel this way. One of being that is four large conglomerate companies dominating the industry they control what is shown and there is not diversion in music. Many artists become very similar; many record labels also aim to imertate artists meaning there is no evolution of the genre of music. Contrastingly if there was more record labels evenly dominating the market there will be more diversion from artist all trying to create something different. In addition by there being more record labels it will make it easier for independent companies to grab hold of the music industry and display more to consumers. This will also good as consumers will hear more offering more ‘organic’. By having more companies dominating the market artists will have a larger chance of success within the music industry, as if one company doesn’t like what they offer there are many over which maybe trying to create something new which artists may offer them. By having more dominated force in the music industry it will help the industry to grow by all record labels trying to create something new for the consumer to want.

I believe that major record labels are without a doubt more successful than independent record labels. This is because they have some of the most popular and successful artists. Therefore having extreme power within the industry. Record labels can’t have similar artists making it hard for artist to through into the industry. Theses artist which can’t get in to the industry may have new skill to offer which go UN noticed not allowing the music industry to grow. Contrastingly by having more record label dominating the market these skills will be used as there will be more artists in the music business.   

By there being less dominate companies in the music industry Independent record labels will be able to get more power in the market. This will mean they will able to offer the music industry real artists who are not moulded to fit a specific persona that the public are desperate to have. This means that the music industries likely to have more relatable artists that are likely to highly appeal to the public, therefore helping the music industry to grow. Independent record labels are more likely to sign underdeveloped and unusual artists, providing the public with a variation from the artists they would usually find themselves listening to. Allowing consumer to differentiate in styles of music. This will help grow new genres and build popularity of artists.   

It is clear that although 4 companies dominate the music industry as they have the most knowledge within the industry and most successful artists. The music industry will clearly benefit more to having more companies have dominated power in the industry. This will intern grow and inivate the industry helping it to evolve and become more beneficial to what the consumer want.