Major record labels

Major Record Labels

Definition:

Large companies within the music industry that may also own smaller record labels

Who are the major labels in the UK currently?

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.

A few examples of bands/artists signed to Sony:

1. The Tings Tings
2. The Clash
3. MGMT
4. Ke$ha
5. 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:

1. Whitesnake
2. Iron Maiden
3. Spice Girls
4. Kate Bush
5. The Beatles

Warener Music Group (WMG) is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recroding 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 asa 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. ]

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

1. Death Cab For Cutie
2. Gnarls Barkley
3. Basshunter
4. Fleetwood Mac
5. 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.

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

Independents

Definition: Music labels that operate one or a few music labels

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 you may disagree!

Task:

1.      Identify some of the independent labels in the UK and a brief history of each.

2.      What artists are signed to these labels

Task:

Consider the following questions:

1.      Is it right from a music point of view as well as an industry point of view that 4 companies dominate the music industry?

2.      What affect do you think this has on the industry?

3.      Are Independent labels as successful as major labels, how do you judge this?

4.      Is there anything that independent labels offer the industry that the majors do not?