Record Labels Research

Dan Field

Reprise Records

Reprise Records was formed in 1960 by Frank Sinatra to allow for more artistic freedom for his own recordings.

The company has helped to produce records for various significant bands and artists, including; Faith No More, Fleetwood Mac, and Jimi Hendrix.

They are still functioning today producing material for; Green Day, Disturbed, and Mastodon.

There most recent project to date is Green Day’s ‘Revolution Radio’. Set to be released on October 7th 2016, it promises large sales as the single ‘Bang! Bang!’ from the upcoming album hit No.1 on the US Rock Charts.

Blackened Recordings

Blackened Recordings was founded in 2012 by Metallica as a more independent, controlled way of releasing their future albums.

Metallica also bought the rights to all of their previously released albums from warner bros. Allowing them to reissue and re-sell them under the new label.

As of November 18th 2016, Metallica will be releasing their first official album of the new record label. It is titled Hardwired…To Self Destruct.

However the first official release under the new record name was a DVD of the band playing live in Quebec in 2009.

Sony Music Entertainment (SME)

Sony Music Entertainment is an American record label, formed in 1929 as American Record Corporation. It was Renamed Columbia Recording Corporation in 1938 following its acquisition by Columbia Broadcasting System.

In 1966, the company was reorganized to become CBS Records. Sony Corporation bought the company in 1987 and renamed it Sony Music Entertainment in 1991.

Sony Music Entertainment have worked with artists such as; AC/DC, Aerosmith, David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, Michael Jackson, The Kinks, Tenacious D, and many more.

Warner Music Group

WMG/Warner Music is an American record label company based in New York City. It is one of the "big three" recording companies and the third largest in the global music industry, next to Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment.

Warner Music Group is the only American-owned music conglomerate worldwide. With a multibillion-dollar annual turnover, WMG employs in excess of 3,500 people and has operations in more than 50 countries throughout the world.

WMG has completed projects with famous artists, such as; Coldplay, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Prince, Metallica (before Blackened Recordings), Led Zeppelin, Kylie Minogue, Paramore, The Rolling Stones, and many more.

Epic Records

Epic Records is a division of Sony Music Entertainment. It was formed in 1953 as a primarily Jazz, Pop, and a Classical Music record label. However it has broadened its accepted artists over the years.

By 1960, the label's musical base had been expanded to include all genres. This was done in part to prevent the roster of Columbia Records (which, at the time, had a reputation for releasing material by more established acts) from being overstuffed with newer artists.

Over the years, Epic Records have worked with; Ozzy Osbourne, Pearl Jam, AC/DC, Michael Jackson, Iron Maiden, ABBA, Black Sabbath, George Michael, and many more.