Research into record labels - Miss Georgiou

Major record labels are large companies within the music industry that may in addition own smaller record labels. 3 major record labels who dominate the industry are: Sony Music Entertainment, The Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group Entertainment.

Sony music entertainment manages and owns many popular artists within the music industry which is why its a major company. A few artists include Justin Timberlake, Britney spears, Miley Cyrus, R.Kelly, Kesha, Taylor Swift, Usher and Rita Ora. The major record label also owns a number of smaller companies such as J records and Arista. Arista records manage artists such as  Aretha Franklin, Pink and Alicia Keys. J records manages artists including Maroon 5,  Leona Lewis, Mario and Jennifer Hudson. The company has a number of links within media in addition to the major record label. Sony creates televisions, mobile phones and computers therefore making them a major company. Sony is a growing major company and is particularly major in America.

 

The universal music group is known for managing major popular artists such as Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, 50 cent, Blink 182, Drake, Fall out boy and Florence and the machine. Universal media group also owns smaller companies which are subsidiaries such as Island records and Def Jam. Island records manages artists such as Justin Bieber, Jessie J, Taio Cruz, Ariana Grande and Ben Howard. Def Jam manages artists such as Jeremiah, Young Jeezy, Big Sean and Rick Ross. The company has links within the media industry such as producing films. They also helped to develop a website called 'Vevo' which is a website designed for music videos. Its similar to You tube however there is no advertisements. 



Another major record label is Warner music group. They manage artists such as Michael Buble, Alesha Dixon, Flo Rida, Linkin Park and Madonna. They own smaller companies such as Atlantic records and Parlophone records. Atlantic records manages artists such as Cher, Jason Derulo and Biffy Clyro.Parlophone records manage artists such as Conor Maynard, Becky Hill, Coldplay David Guetta, and Lily Allen. Warner music group is owned by time warner which is the world's largest media conglomerate therefore Warner music group is widely known. It has other links with other media such as film and television.



Independent labels can be just as successful but operate from a smaller company base. They are traditionally known as offering more ‘organic’ music rather than manufactured mainstream. Most artists begin their career with independent record labels until a major company scout them. Independent record labels can just be as successful as major record labels even though they are smaller.

There are many independent record labels within the UK. Rough trade is an independent record label within the UK. The record company is based in London. It was created in 1978 by a man named Geoff Travis. It grew over the years and started to manage artists over Britain. They manage artists such as The Libertines, Arcade Fire and The Strokes.

Another independent record label is Warp Records. It was founded in Sheffield in 1989 specialising in electronic music. It was founded by Steve Beckett, Rob Mitchell and Rupert Gordon. They are known for managing unique artists. They manage artists such as Aphex Twin, Maximo park and Flying Lotus.

Furthermore another independent record label in the UK is Domino which was founded in 1993. It is another record label which is based in London. They also have Divisions in other coutnries such as Germany, USA and France. They manage artists such as The Artic Monkeys, Orange Juice and Twin Siter.

I believe that's it's beneficial to the music industry and artists that 4 companies dominate the music industry as they have the most knowledge within the music industry. Therefore artists are more likely to be successful in the music industry if they are signed by the big record labels. They also understand the audience better therefore knowing what music is popular at the time and what type of music would suit the artists best therefore their artists are more likely to be successful. On the other hand it will be hard for new artists who are signed to independent records to break through and have success as there is such high competition from the dominating 4 companies such as universal, Sony, Warner music group and virgin records. New artists will have trouble being signed to a major record company as they have high standards and wouldn't want to take them on as they are unknown therefore the music industry can be seen as unfair and unequal opportunity. Due to major record labels independent record label artists might find it hard to be successful due to the popularity of major artist label artists therefore independent record labels may find it hard to gain success and may have a risk of going out of business. However Justin Bieber started his career from YouTube by uploading videos of him singing, he was signed by an independent record label called School Boy Records at first. As he got more popular Island records signed him which is a major record label therefore showing that independent record labels still help with the success of artists. I believe that having 4 dominating major companies benefits artists who are popular and known in the industry however new artists will find trouble having success when signed to independent labels. Having 4 dominating major companies will sometimes benefit the independent companies as they can pass on their knowledge of the music industry.

By having 4 main companies that dominate the music industry could have a positive effect on the industry as they have such a high standard therefore benefiting the artists as they are more likely to be successful. Having 4 dominating major companies will sometimes benefit the independent companies as they can pass on their knowledge of the music industry to independent records so that artists within the independent companies can be successful too. Also by having 4 main companies that dominate the industry will help artists dramatically as they know what type of music and style artists should sing therefore helping them find their own style. 

In my opinion I believe that major record labels are more successful than independent record labels as they manage more popular artists and are more widely known which shows that they have major power within the music industry. Therefore new artists would rather be signed to a major company rather than an independent one as they believe they can be more successful being managed by one. Therefore independent companies will have less success as less artists would want to be signed to them. However many major artists start being managed by independent companies therefore showing that independent companies are useful within the music industry and successful in discovering major artists. Therefore independent record labels are also important as they help to start off artists careers such as Justin Bieber. Major record labels are more successful also as they have wider knowledge of the industry therefore knowing artists styles and where they would fit in. 

Independent record labels promote unique artists who don't fit in with the mainstream to the music industry therefore making the music industry having more down to earth and diverse artists. Independent record labels are likely to sign unknown, unique artists giving audience a diverse range in music such as Aphex Twin. Independent records also have more time therefore spending it more with their artists. By spending more time with the artists the music they produce will be high quality and the record labels will be able to understand the artist more making them more successful.