Research into major record labels

Major record labels may be defined as large companies within the music industry which may also own the smaller companies within the industry.

A record label itself is either a brand or a trademark which is associated with the marketing of music recordings e.g albums, singles etc or music videos for instance the record label Young Money Entertainment which its artist often nod towards within their music often dropping it into their lyrics including artists such as Drake and Lil Wayne. It is a record labels job to take care of proceedings regarding the success and production of the artists work as well as dictating certain elements of their work which they can and cannot explore as well as cutting things out and altering them. However record labels have been known to do more than just prevent their artists from doing things but they have also been known to change artists work completely, setting them on a different path and telling them that they need to present themselves in a certain way so to maintain their deal with the company and receive success within the industry. For instance it has been stated that artist Lady Gaga's first album took a much more pop turn compared with her later works as her record label dictated what she could and couldn't do within her work so to launch her debut album with the label. Rap artist Eminem even launched his own record label 'Shady Records' as he didn't agree with the rules and regulations put up by other record labels and wanted to make the changes to the music industry he saw necessarily with his own label. Much of this involved the issue of censorship something which record labels are prone to being aware of as they don't want to get into trouble via coursing too much controversy and becoming sued for large sums of money as well as damaging the companies good name.

A record labels main object in the eyes of the artist is to work as both the funding, management and platform for them to release their work to the public eye in a respectable and sufficient way.

Major record labels in the UK:

EMI



EMI group limited also known as EMI music but often simply referred to as EMI was a British multinational (meaning that the works recorded and released within the company where available world wide) music recording and publishing company based in London however the company was also known for its manufacturing of of electronic devices and systems.

When the company closed (2012) it was the fourth biggest business group and family of record labels within the music industry hence making it apart of one of the fourth biggest record labels in the UK which has now been simmered down to just three. The companies record companies include EMI records, virgin records, Parlophone and capitol records.

Although the company was recognized as being fairly successful it faced financial trouble owing $4 billion in debt. Which result in company Citigroup taking over the company in February 2011 although Citigroups take over was only short as it was announced in November that same year that the company would be would be selling its music to the Universal Music Group for $1.9 billion.

EMI controlled the libraries of  music via artists such as Jayz and Beyonce, Chemical Romance, Sean Paul, The Black eyed peas and The Crystal Method (who are well known for one of their songs being made into the theme tune for popular American TV series 'BONES'.)

Bands and artists actually signed to the record label include world wide stars such as The Beatles, Spice girls, Kate Bush, White Snake and Iron Maiden.

Warner Music Group

Warner Music Group also refereed to as WMG is the worlds third largest business group and family of record labels with the music industry; hence making it one of the big three. (Referring to the three biggest record labels within the UK) Time Warner no longer holds ownership over the company in any form, Warner Music Group also obtains a publishing arm, Warner/Chappell Music which at present is one of the worlds largest music publishing groups. Due to the companies good reputation and known success in its time is has various big artists/bands signed for instance Basshunter, Death Cab For Cutie, Fleetwood Mac, and Gnarls Barkley.  The Warner name is also associated with various other projects hence boosting both artist and audience faith within the company such as Time Warner film productions including successful films such as the Harry Potter film series and the Scooby Doo film series starring Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr as well as various associations within the world of TV such as 'Friends' as well as it being well recgonised that ABC Family's hit TV series 'Pretty Little Liars' is filmed on location at the WB lot.

The Company is also unknown for the TV channels it has run it it's time; The WB Televsion Network which was commonly shortened to The WB which aired TV shows which were so popular they have formed well established 'fandoms' and cults such as Buffy The Vampire Slayer and it's spin off Angel as well as Charmed. Once the company ended this project they formed another TV channel The CW Television Network also shortened to The CW still airing in America today as one of the bigger channels facing competition big television stations such as Fox. Which has aired popular programs such as One Tree Hill, Veronica Mars, Gilmore Girls and Supernatural which is currently running on it's
eleventh season. The company's well rounded evident knowledge of the media as a whole urges artists/bands to warm towards the company as it displays the company's wide range of success illustrating how the company knows what they are doing and is aware of what the audience want. The company's good name works as brand loyalty as the audience is more aware and hence more comfortable with the brand compared to others as they are more use to seeing it due to their exposure to the company as well as it's good branding making sure that the audience is aware that this is work created within the form of the company one way in which they do this is via displaying their logo at the end of each episode of 'Friends', covering DVD boxes of films of their company with their logo so that the audience is forced to associate other works with this film etc. As the company is known for providing the audience with good experiences throughout their wide range of works the audience is likely to feel trust towards a product of any range when seeing the company's logo placed on it.

The company even branded promo shots for its television works this wasn't simply so that the audience knew were to watch the programs but also to engage the audience with the brand making sure that they are taking credit for their work.

You may have noticed that the company has also created a reputation for working with the same actors etc for different projects for instance working with Sarah Michelle Gellar in both Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Scooby Doo plus other projects and giving David Boreanaz his own Spin off series after his credible work on Buffy The Vampire Slayer provides the company with a wholesome, trustworthy image which again works in the favour of promoting the company to both people they are looking to work with and the audience as it suggests to potential employees that the company will look after them and be a good platform as they will be able to help them branch out with their career and position them into a variety of different projects. Whereas for the audience it helps them build a bond with the company as they grow towards these familiar faces associating them with the brand. Both Gellar and Boreanaz are known for having large fan bases Boreanaz has had fans wish have traveled with him from his early days on Buffy The Vampire Slayer to his current show 'BONES' (mentioned earlier for it's work with The Crystal Method) running on it's eleventh season, this loyal fanbase has allowed of Boreanaz's long running TV shows to be in the list of top twenty shows in America of their time. This proves the importance of fan/audience loyalty. 

Sony Music 

Sony Music Entertainment UK usually referred to as Sony Music is involved in the 'big three' record labels in the UK. The company obtains a large array of artists ranging from local to international stars such as Kesha. Other artists signed to the record label include The Clash, The Ting Tings, MGMT, Ellie King, Carrie Underwood and Fifth Harmony. Sony Music is another record label involved in a company which is associated with a range of different businesses throughout the media.  

The Sony name is also known for it's selling and creation of media based products such as TV's, PlayStation etc. As well as having popular video game character Crash Banddicoot originally being exclusive to the brand.

The purpose of all of this works within the same manner as Time Warner's other projects help with their record label. Via the concept of brand loyalty keeping the consumers on side due to previous good performance from the company due to both service and products. As well as proving to both artists and the audience that the company has a well sided knowledge of the media hence suggesting that anything which comes from the company should be of a good standard as well as successful. Artists are more likely to wish to work with a record label which is known for performing well as it suggests more about them as an artist. If you was to hear about someone you knew signing onto a record label you may be skeptical about it however if you was to hear that it was a big record label they had signed onto possibly even one of the big three then it is likely that you would believe a lot more in their talent; as well as the legit-ness behind the signing as you may wonder whether it was a sort of fraud scheme etc. Artists want to sign to a more respected record label as this implies a certain amount of credibility factor upon them because the fact that such a big record label is taking a chance on them indicates that they are a talented musician as the company clearly knows what works well within the industry due to their varied success stories and wouldn't want to damage the companies good name by signing someone who wouldn't suit to their usual standard or even waste money investing in an artist who wouldn't provide much for the company.

Universal Music Group

Universal Music Group otherwise referred to as UMG is THE largest business group and family of record labels within the industry hence earning it's stop in the UK'S top three record labels. This is as a result of it's commanding market share as well as it's multiple global operations. Including it's spot in the film industry involving works in films such as  Legend starring Tom Hardy, Bad Neighbors staring Seth Rogen, Dave Franco and Zac Efron, Straight outta Compton, Pitch Perfect, Jurassic Park, Lucy, Fast and Furious and many more big name motion pictures. As you can see the company is already associated with big names and success without even considering it's record label which has names matching up to those starring within it's film including Gwen Stephani, Lady Gaga, Keri Hilson, Mariah Carey, Young Jeezy, Ben Howard, Elton John, Jhene Aiko and Jake Bug as well as a long line of other well known successful artists.

The success of the Universal group is even larger than that of the other record labels meaning that they company can afford to focus mainly on promoting its success rather than primly creating a bond of sorts with it's audience making following up with brand loyalty. Having such big names working with the company applies a sense of accomplishment to the brand, regardless of whether up and coming artists like the policy's etc of the record label due to the strong build up of the company artists would find it a lot harder to turn down such a powerful record label when comparing it to others. Imagine the pride and sense of accomplishment when a record label as big as UMG signed to artists such as Mariah Carey is interested in working with you the credibility factor of working with them is certainly something most new artists would love. Working with such a powerful group allows these artists to create a name for themselves and just like with Time Warner artists would be able to move up in the ranks and try out different areas of the media such as acting however the Universal group provides bigger opportunity's due to it's larger success.

Independents 

Independents may be defined as music labels which one or a few artists/bands.

Independent record labels are able to be just as successful as the larger record labels as they are open to the same opportunity and are streaming towards the same goals and motives. However some may disagree as the bigger companies are able to attract more attention due to previous success. Although every record label has to start somewhere before it becomes near the greatness of one of the 'big three, it can be argued that independent record labels aren't as capable of becoming as big and successful compared with the big three as they don't have the support and background knowledge which comes with already having other projects within the media.

Angular Recording Corporations is a record label founded in June 2003 where it was based in New Cross, South London. Although not a big label the company still found it's way into well respected music critics work for instance even making apperances in music magazine NME which made the record label the lead review ahead of many major label releases.

The record label has worked with a signed a variety of different artists including The Violets a combination of post punk/indie/pop band, The Long Blondes, Wetdog, Ruth as well as many other artists. 

ATP Recordings is a British recording label, founded in 2001 via London concert promoter Barry Hogan. The label was originally created bring out a complication CD. Although the record label doesn't behold particularly mainstream artists that doesn't mean that the company isn't successful in it's own right. Although in the modern world which is filled with so much media coverage it appears that the main aim and indicating signs of an artists success is how well known they are on a global scale this isn't always true. Some artists prefer for their music to be heard by their chosen audience and them only, not being bothered by the temptations of fame or the concept of providing a bigger audience for their music as they simply want to be heard by people they know share interests with them and that's enough for them. Some artists prefer to keep their music on the down low as they believe this mass media world has corrupted the image of music and originally as the modern way has taken away from the original concepts to the art form and turned it into something it was never intended to be. Artists signed to the record label include Fuck Buttons, Band, The Magic Band and The Mars Volta.

Audio Antihero is a British record label  which was formed in October 2009 by Jamie Halliday,where it was based in South East London. Although only an independent record label the company has faced itself as being the centerpiece of several BBC radio PRI and international radio stories. Artists who have released music with the company include Diane Chuck, Fighting Kites, Jack Hayter and still corners.

From a music point of view the concept that there is a group of record labels dominating the music industry can split opinions on one side it may appear unjust that these groups are controlling the music industry as well as the idea that the industry has become more about a money making scheme, hence those involved focus more on the awareness and publicity of an artist even their like ability factor rather than their actual talent as a musical. This can be viewed as spoiling the industry and taking away what some people believe music stands for as it becomes a less qualify based, personal experience. However on the other side people may believe that this is a good thing as fierce competition means that both artists and companies are having to work harder to ensure sales and their place within the industry which means that the audience are being provided with a better experience it also means that the audience have a clear cut of what artists are thought to be the best on a more mainstream scale as will be the ones who are signed to the dominating record labels.

As I stated previously although major record labels may be more successful on a larger scale which to some people means more successful over all as they bring in more sales revenue, more money and more fans however to others this isn't the aim. Some people simple want to listen and release music due to the strong personal connections they feel with it, often people find themselves trying to avoid mainstream music as they desire a more personal connection with the music they listen to, which these smaller independent record labels are able to provide. A major record label may never really be content in their revenue as they will always be focusing on the next big thing due to the ever demanding changes within the industry however for an independent record label setting more personal goals once they are achieved then they're achieved which suggests that in reality they receive more success as they are able to set certain goals and meet them although they might not be earning the same amounts of money this may not be a motivating factor for the label.

Independent record labels are able to offer a bigger sense of old school music compared with the bigger record labels which are always promoting what is big and new in that moment even if they were to release music which is aiming towards this feel of old school music it wouldn't have the same effect as this would be done in attempt to suit to a theme of old school music which is popular in that time. Independent record labels are able to offer the audience experiences away from the mainstream.

Having just four large companies dominating the music industry isn't just from a music point of view as it means that artists which are mainstream pop aren't such as Mikki Ekko who has many great songs such as 'We must be killers' and 'who are you really?' which don't have music videos for as they don't have the backing and support from a record label who wanted to promote these songs via creating a music video for them as they saw less of an opportunity to create money on them than they did from other artists whom are creating more conventional and mainstream music which the record label already knows how to benefit from. Therefore artists such as Ekko aren't as likely to find their way into the industry as these record labels don't want to take a gamble on them when they could stick to using the typical mainstream artists which they are familiar and therefore comfortable with and know who to promote.  One of Ekko's songs which had a music video produced for it was a song which the artist teamed with Rhianna a successful artist whom record labels know works well often fitting to conventions suggesting that she was a large part of Ekko receiving his music video. This kind of attitude is what is damaging the music industry as it becomes more about money and less about actual talent. This is unfair on independent artists who have a different take on the industry who may actually work a lot harder than other artists and are likely to be considered more talented as they often write their own songs and have taught themselves to sing meaning that they have a more unique voice henceforth they're able to provide the audience with something like unlike other artists who have actually found their way into the charts who are often thought to be very similar. Without independent artists breaking through and bringing their music to the audience it will become more likely that the audience are receiving a lesser experience from their music as the audience are being subject to only music which is produced out of a love for money not a respect for the industry and the impacts it may have upon the audience.

A good example of an independent artist would be Nina Nesbitt, an independent artist who has built herself up completely without the help of a record label her has built herself a social media empire with her videos on YouTube standing with over twenty millions views and obtaining over 130, 000 followers on Twitter. However mainstream artist Rihanna who has gone through the typical route of getting into the industry through the use of a record label has over five billion Youtube views and 52.6 million followers on Youtube. Both artists social media successes are representative of the artists record sales. This highlights that although an independent artist is able to strive through the struggles which come from attempting to get into the industry on your own without a record label yet they are still unlikely to reach the success of an artist such as Rihanna who conforms to the mainstream as they are less likely to receive this record label support. As well as not obtaining the same kinds of connections and knowledge as those who would be helping them if they had the support of a record label hence they are less likely to find their way into the right elements so to achieve fame and success.

 Although belonging to a record label can be very beneficial to an artist as they are able to provide the artist with the right chances, contacts and knowledge to promote themselves further however record labels aren't as able to provide their artists with the time, commitment and chances to experiment with their style of music so to provide their audience with different experiences and break into new zones. Where as independents tend to be all about being subversive and achieving what is different for the mainstream so to encourage the audience to indulge in their new style which they are bringing to the industry and discover new things. If a record label was to take this leap with an artist and allow them to experiment away from the mainstream procedures would be put in place so to help the record label keep track of the artists success and if deadlines aren't met then the record label is likely to drop them as they aren't making money. This works because for these companies many money is the entire theme of producing money unlike independents who tend to have a genuine passion for music.


There are both positives and negatives to belonging to dependent and independent records labels. For instance working for a dependant record labels introduce artists to the right contacts within the industry to help them achieve success as well as inviting them to met other artist. Whom they may choose to work alongside or even to take inspiration from as well as impacting their credibility factor as if it appears to the public that an artist is friendly with a successful artist such as Britney Spears it suggests that the artist is really good as Spears is allowing herself to be associated with her. Whereas independent labels are able to provide artists with more time, care and understanding. This is important as it means that artists are allowed more room to  make their music unique and personal to them which may really benefit the audience as it is providing them with a fresh experience which mainstream audience cannot provide.