2. WHAT IS A RECORD LABEL
Record labels are companies which handle many responsibilities of
a music artist. Such responsibilities as the recording, marketing
and also distribution of the artist’s music. Allowing the artist to
focus on their star image as they do not have the stress of dealing
with all the responsibility of selling their product. In many ways
record labels aid artists in becoming successful, however in some
cases with particular record labels an artist may feel used by their
record label or that the company is trying to mould them into
something their not, something more profitable.
3. MAJOR RECORD LABEL
There are only really four major record labels to sign to as an
upcoming artist, these include Universal Music group, Sony-BMG,
EMI and Warner Music Group. Any other apparent “Major labels”
are in fact subsidiary labels owned by one of the four actual major
record labels. For example RCA, Columbia and Provident are all
subsidiary labels owned by Sony-BMG.
There are many pros and cons signing with a Major record label,
including but not limited to the following on the next slides.
4. PROS OF SIGNING TO A MAJOR RECORD LABEL
The pros of signing to a major record label mostly involve the fact
that they will have a much larger budget than that of an
independent record label. This means access to the best of the
best pro photographers, recording equipment, music video
technology, marketing campaigns, etc.
Major record labels can do everything that a independent label can,
only to a much better quality and more efficiently. Everything will be
done to professional standards and if you the artist can perform
highly and consistently then the you too can reach a level of
financial success.
5. CONS OF SIGNING TO A MAJOR RECORD LABEL
When you sign to a major record label, they own you as an artist for the duration
of the contract. They have full rights to your music, this means they will own your
music forever or at the least until you the artist or someone else buys the
ownership ‘rights’ to your songs and this is only possible if the label is willing to
sell it. Furthermore the record label will have control over your star image, this
means that they will tell you when and where to be somewhere, getting the
artists star image well known is key to the success of an artist so it is important
to make appearances at big events such as music awards ceremonies or charity
events.
You are just one of many other artists signed to the label, so if you’re not
bringing the label success within the time expected then the record label is likely
to lose interest in you and focus on their more profitable artists.
6. INDEPENDENT LABEL
Unlike the four major labels, there are vast amounts of independent
record labels for an artist to sign to. Furthermore these record
companies are much more genuine, they are not just signing you to
use you for profit. Independent labels are often genuine fans of
your music if they have decided to sign you. Alike the artist they
truly enjoy music on a personal level and therefore they have more
of a personal passion and drive in promoting your music. They sign
and promote artists because they love music and they want to see
you succeed not only because it turns them a profit but because
they feel you the artist deserve to.
7. PROS OF SIGNING TO AN INDEPENDENT LABEL
The types of contracts used by independent labels can vary greatly depending
on the record label. Some contracts are similar to Major label contracts but differ
in certain aspects due to the differences between the two. Some are as simple
as distribution and promotion deals and others can be anything and everything
in between. It all depends on the record label and the artist’s needs, contracts
with independent record companies are more likely to be able to be altered to
suite the needs of both parties. Furthermore you are likely to have much more
creative freedom over your music and the star image you portray when signing
to an independent record label.
Independent labels will often have a smaller amount of artists signed to them so
that means you will possibly get a lot more attention. You will be much more
important to the label, as a result you’ll get more communication access with
your label to talk about your album and planning. This is great for passionate
artists that need to feel like their music is taken seriously by their label.
8. CONS OF SIGNING TO AN INDEPENDENT LABEL
The main and only real con of signing to an independent record
label is the size of their wallet, being a smaller company means
having a much smaller budget. These labels do not have millions to
invest into the production, marketing and distribution of an artists
music as they simply don’t have it. This means limited access to
resources such as studio equipment which are very important when
trying to become successful in the music industry.
9. MY ARTIST
I have decided to sign my artist to an independent record label as I
do not want them to get too caught up in the politics of the music
industry, I have chosen them to stay true to their music. From my
research, generally choosing a major record label over an
independent label is giving up your creative influence over your
music and star image for potential financial gain. Where as signing
to an independent label would be to still have control over the
music that is put out there. This is important to passionate artists
who want their music to be taken seriously and carry a message.
10. MY ARTIST
I believe Fools Gold Records is the best choice of record label for my
artist to sign to. The label has found success for great up and coming
artists such as Danny Brown and Kid Kudi who both have such an
influence over their own music and the message behind their music, I
believe the label can do the same for my artist “FranKo”. Furthermore the
label appears to be very modernised I the sense of what genres their
artists primarily come under, hip hop and pop. Furthermore they have
established an online presence with a well suited website and also across
social media networks such as Twitter and Instagram. The label even has
an account on Spotify where they have a playlist to upload the latest
releases from their artists. An online presence is extremely important to
any business or company trying to become successful in todays music
industry.
11. COPYRIGHT LAWS
Copyright infringements an ever-growing problem following the
invention of MP3 technology, due to audio files being able to be
quickly and easily distributed over the Internet.
Copyright laws look to give exclusive and assignable legal right,
given to the originator for a predetermined amount of time, to print,
publish, perform, film, or record literary, artistic, or musical material.
When using copyrighted music, especially in a music video it is
important to make sure to add a disclaimer, stating that you do not
take any credit in the production of the song at all. It is being used
merely for an educational purpose.
12. MY OWN RECORD LABEL
The name for the independent record label I have created is
“THE TIME RECORDS”.
The record label is an upcoming label looking to sign unique and
youthful artists with a keen passion to succeed in the music
industry whilst staying true to their origins. Other artists that this
label would be interested in signing are Chance the rapper, Joey
Bada$$, Father and other influential artists of the hip hop genre.
