2. Major Record Labels Independent Record Labels
Record label operating without the funding of or outside the
organisations of major record labels. A great number of bands and
musical acts begin on independent labels.
The independent labels usually aimed their releases at a small but
devoted audience, not relying on mass sales for success, giving artists
much more scope for experimentation and artistic freedom.
Record labels are often under the control of a Music Group.
The artists are funded by major record company's who have the
funding to support the artist.
V S
A music group is typically owned by an international conglomerate
holding company which often has non music divisions as well.
Controls and consists of music publishing companies, record
manufacturers, record distributors and record.
Major record labels aim their release at big audiences, relying on
mass sales for success.
The artist benefits from the record label. The production of the
song an artist sings is mainly controlled by the record label and
its assigned producers. The distribution of the song will be taken
care off by the record label by spending a lot of money advertising
Knowing that they will make the money back because of the
above and below the line promotion.
Some of the independent labels are solely independent but some are
controlled by major labels. Production, distribution and exhibition is
limited because of the lack of money.
The artist normally does not benefit the record label but not in all cases.
Some independent artists make a profit because of their loyal listeners
that buy their merchandise and/or follow the movement of them e.g.
shows.
3. Who are the Big 3?
Major labels since 2012 (Big Four) are :
Universal Music Group
Sony Music Entertainment (BMG)
Warner Music Group
Subsidiary Labels - Warner Music
Group:
Atlantic Records Group
Warner Bros. Records Group
Rhino Entertainment
Parlophone Label Group
Warner Music Nashville
Warner Classics
Warner Music International
Subsidiary Labels – Universal Music Group:
1 Interscope-Geffen-A&M
Capitol Music Group
Republic Records
Island Records
Def Jam Recordings
Universal Music Group Nashville
Universal Music Latin Entertainment
The Verve Music Group
Universal Music Classical
Universal Music Enterprises
Show Dog-Universal Music
Eagle Rock Entertainment
Universal Music UK
Universal Music Group national companies
Third-party major labels distributed by Universal Music Group
Subsidiary Labels - Sony Music
Entertainment
Columbia Records
Epic Records
RCA Records
Sony Music Nashville
Sony Masterworks
Provident Music Group
Legacy Recordings
RED Distribution
IODA and The Orchard Labels
Sony Music UK
Sony Music Japan
Other Sony Music national
companies
Independent labels distributed by
Sony Music Entertainment
4. Independent Labels
Alive or Lifeless: an inclusive independent group,
production team and record label representing the
Maryland/D.C. area for Rap/Hip-Hop street music
Find out about some
Independent labels (you find
a list of UK one here)
Heavenly Recordings: is a London-based independent
record label founded by Jeff Barrett. In its history spanning
over two decades, the label has discovered and released
records by influential artists including Manic Street
Preachers,
Imaginary Records: was an independent record label based
in Heywood, Greater Manchester, England, which
specialised mainly in indie rock and post-punk. It was
created and owned by Alan Duffy, known for his lyrical
contributions to Porcupine Tree's first two albums
Tempa: is a dubstep, 2-step garage and UK garage record
label run by Ammunition Promotions, out of the Truman
Brewery, East London. Tempa is widely considered to be one
of the founding labels of the dubstep sound,
War: commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering
independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in
1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring
artists in electronic music
Anjunabeats: is a British record label, started by producers
Jonathan "Jono" Grant and Paavo Siljamäki in 2000 which
releases trance music
