Research into record labels - Miss Georgiou

Research into record labels

Major Record Labels 

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

The major record labels in the UK currently are Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group. A music group controls and consists of music publishing companies, record (sound recording) manufacturers, record distributors, and record labels. As of 2007, the "big four" music groups control about 70% of the world music market, and about 80% of the United States music market. Record companies (manufacturers, distributors, and labels) may also comprise a "record group" which is, in turn, controlled by a music group. The constituent companies in a music group or record group are sometimes marketed as being "divisions" of the group. 

Universal Music Group own artists such as Bastille, Ellie Goulding, Elton John , Emeli Sande, Fall Out Boy, Fat Boy Slim, Florence + The Machine, Iggy Azalea, Imagine Dragons, Jake Bugg, Kaiser Chiefs, Kate Perry, Ne-Yo, One Republic, Sam Smith, Taylor Swift, 50 Cent. The Universal Music group own smaller record labels including Def Jam and Island Records Def Jam manages Jay-Z, Kanye West and Rihanna. It is also credible that the Universal Music Group co-developed the website Vevo which is designed to display music videos (often promoted through video search engine YouTube) Vevo allows free, ad-supported streaming of music videos and other music content to audiences and is very easily accessible.

Sony Music Entertainment own artists such as Miley Cyrus, Faith, Williams, Daft Punk, Olly Murs, Tine Tempah, 1 Direction and Warner Music Group own artists such as James Blunt, Ramones, Paolo Nutini, B.o.B, David Guetta, Coldplay, Fleetwood Mac, Ed Sheeren. The conglomerate company also own subsidiaries: Arista and J Records which aren't as well known as companies within Universal which is world-renownd. Arista manages Alicia Keys, Avril Lavigne whilst J Records manages: Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera. Sony is also such a big name brand as they sell a variety of electrical products which gives it a household name, this helps the record label to become more successful as the audience are already aware of the brand before knowing the artist, the artist will seem more appealing.

Michael Buble, Cee Lo Green and Christina Perri are just a few artists when exploring the Warner Music Group in which manages them. This US music group owns Atlantic and Warner Bros Records. Atlantic manages Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars and Wiz Khalifa whilst Warner Bros Records manages Biffy Clyro and Jason Derulo. Warner Music Group is owned by Time Warner, the worlds largest media conglomerate which has numerous links including film, entertainment, publishing and television. Due to Warner Music Group having a variety of cross-media links, it allows the audience to relate to the artist signed to the label more so than if it didn't  offer other services to the public.

Independents

Definition: An independent record label is defined to be a music label that operates one or a few music labels. It operates with the lack of funding which makes them different to major labels which generate a large profit. Many artists and bands start their career within the music industry signed to an independent record label and then venture out to a more recognised label. Independent labels can be just as successful as major record labels although they operate from a smaller company base. 

There are a number of independent record labels in the UK. These include Rough Trade records who managed artists such as The Libertines and The Strokes. The independent label was founded in 1978 with artists originating from punk and indie pop genres which were rife and legendary in music history. Rough Trade are promoted through a shop in London which appeals to young people who are interested in historical music records. The Rough Trade shop is based in Brick Lane, London which is popular amongst many young people who enjoy music of the Indie genre as it is a quirky location which has a lot to offer. This record label therefore closely relates to our chosen artist Paloma Faith as she is of the soul/indie/alternative genre and appeals to a niche audience opposed to a mass market like mainstream artists. Another independent record label within the UK industry is Warp Records founded in Sheffield in late 1989. The record label is known for discovering successful electronic artists such as; Aphex Twin, Maximo Park and Flying Lotus. 

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

I believe it is a positive thing that 4 main companies dominate the music industry. Due to them having the most knowledge, experience and resources that will therefore enable the artist an increasingly high chance to become successful within their specific genre and therefore contribute to music history. Despite this, there are negative aspects too. It is a hard task to break through the music industry if an artist is managed by an independent label due to the competition of the 4 companies which currently dominate it. 

What affect do you think this has on the industry?

By having 4 main companies that dominate the music industry it could have a positive affect on the industry. This is because the 4 main companies will manage artists of an extremely high standard and will also be able to get them high up in the music industry. By having 4 main companies within the music industry it may also entice independent record labels to increase their artists musical standards which would therefore provide more competition within the industry. 

Are independent labels as successful as major labels, how do you judge this?
If success in the music industry is dependent on whether an artist is well known/a household name and the artists music is in the top charts, major record labels are more successful in comparison to independent ones. Because they have access to the best artists around as they have extreme power within the industry.Major labels also have larger funding allowances than independents which also increases their success which therefore benefits the artist signed to the label. Independent labels are often over-thrown in the industry and not considered by new and upcoming artists who want success within their chosen art form because they are not seen to produce music popular with vast audiences. Therefore, I believe that major labels are far more successful, although independents are viewed as more innovative and 'organic' which is why many Indie artists favour a small record label and may chose to re-sign to a major one once they have become 'successful' within the independent route.

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

Independent record labels are able to offer the music industry real artists who are not moulded to fit a specific persona that the public are desperate to have. Therefore, this means that the music industry is likely to have more down to earth and relatable artists that are likely to highly appeal to the public. Despite this, 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.