Music record labels

Rhianna Henson-

Smith

What is a record Label? A record label is a brand or trademark associated with

the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Often, a record label is also a publishing company that

manages such brands and trademarks. Coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution,

marketing and promotion. They enforce copyright for sound recordings and music

videos. They Conduct talent scouting and development of new

artists They maintain contracts with recording artists and their

managers.

Popular record labels: 1) Warner Bros 2)Island/Def Jam 3) Aftermath 4)Epic 5)Cash Money Billionaire Records 6)Atlantic 7)Young Money Entertainment 8)Motown 9)Shady Records 10)Roadrunner records 11)Sony 12) EMI 13) Universal

The big four:

The ‘Big four’ are the main four record labels in the UK and are the leading record labels on the market, signing hundreds of acts.

Warner BrosExamples: Damon Albarn, Lily Allen, Avenged Sevenfold, The

Black Keys, Michael Bublé, Biffy Clyro, Jason Derulo, The Flaming Lips, Goo Goo Dolls, Green Day, Linkin Park, Prince, Mastodon, Kylie Minogue, Muse, Green Day, Never Shout Never, Disturbed, My Chemical Romance, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, Muse, Linkin Park, Paris Hilton.

About: American record company Established in 1958 as the recorded

music division of the American movie studio Warner Bros. Pictures.

In 2003, these music assets were divested by their then owner Time Warner and purchased by a private equity group. This independent company traded as the Warner Music Group (WMG), before being bought by Access Industries in 2011.

WMG is the third-largest of the three major international music conglomerates and the world's last publicly traded major music company.

EMI is one of the four biggest record labels in the UK. They have signed hundreds of acts from many different genres.

Examples: 30 Seconds To Mars, Coldplay, Iron Maiden, Madness, Sex Pistols, Gorillaz, Five Finger Death Punch, You Me At Six, Chimaira, and Alice in Chains.

Universal Music Group have some of the most popular acts signed to them.

Examples: Taylor Swift, Them Crooked Vultures, Justin Bieber, One Republic, Rihanna, Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga, Eminem, Weezer, Ne-Yo, Mika andKanye West.

Sony Sony Music is another of “The Big Four” and it has acts from a variety of genres . Examples: AC/DC, Beyonce, Lemar, Calvin Harris, Foo Fighters, The Clash, Leona Lewis, Mark Ronson, MGMT, Kasabian,

JLS, Manic Street Preachers and The Kings of Leon. Sony Music Entertainment Sony music was founded in 1929 when several different record companies merged to become one

company, the company started under the name American Record Corporation it went through many different name changes, merging and being bought out by different companies and labels, it eventually became Sony Music Entertainment on January 1 st 1991.

In 2004 Sony entered in a joint venture with BMG becoming the newly named Sony BMG but after four years on October 1 st 2008 Sony bought out BMG’s 50% share in the company to once again become Sony Music Entertainment as they are known today.

Sony Music is part of one of the biggest music and entertainment companies in the world. It has a vast variety of acts signed to the label, many of which have achieved world wide fame.

Has over 200 artists signed to the label from major worldwide sell-out artists such as Beyoncé. Sony Music Entertainment UK is known for it’s partnership with other labels and people in the music industry. One of these

partnerships include Simon Cowell's label Syco which accounts for over 75% of Sony Music UK's profits. Sony owns many other music labels. Three of the main are Columbia, RCA and Sony CMG. Sony RED distribution company are owned by Sony Music Entertainment and handle releases for 50+ independent record labels.

Motown American record company Founded by Berry Gordy The Motown Sound typically used

tambourines to accent the back beat, prominent and often melodic electric bass-guitar lines, distinctive melodic and chord structures, and a call-and-response singing style that originated in gospel music.

Examples:The fantastic four, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, The Jackson Five, Matrix, Diana Ross, Bruce Willis.

About:

Epic American record company A division of Sony music

entertainment Epic was founded predominantly as

a jazz and classical music label in 1953.

Later expanded its scope to include diverse musical genres including pop, R&B, rock and hip hop.

Dave Clark Five, Sly & the Family Stone, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Shakira, Sade, Pearl Jam, Europe and Jennifer Lopez