Record labels manage the brands which coordinate with the production, manufacturing, distribution, marketing and the promotions. They have to make sure that they have copyright protection with their sound recordings and music videos so that it is known to be their production. Contracts are also normally written up with new and upcoming artists.
When an artist is signed by a record label they depend on them to broaden their audience, make their albums better marketed and heard on radio stations, television and on the internet. The internet is an ever-growing way of promoting yourself as a new artist as if you don't have a record label you most likely cannot afford to promote yourself. Promoting yourself on websites such as Youtube and SoundCloud you are able to make yourself known to the public and could also be scouted through the internet.
Major Record Labels
The four major labels since 2009, known as the 'Big Four' are;
- Sony Music Entertainment - http://www.sonymusic.com/
- EMI Group - http://www.emimusic.com/
- Warner Music Group - http://www.wmg.com/
- Universal Music Group - http://www.universalmusic.com/
Universal Music Group is the largest of the 'big four' record companies by its multitude of global operations. Universal Music Group owns a music publisher, Universal Music Publishing Group, which became the world's largest.
Universal Music Group is the world's largest music content company with market leading positions in recorded music, music publishing and merchandising. The recorded music business discovers and develops recording artists and then markets and promotes their music across the world. Labels include Barclay, ECM, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Island Def Jam Music Group, Machete Music and Polydor Records.
Featured Artists : Justin Bieber, The Black Eyed Peas, Bon Jovi, Mariah Carey, Eminem, Dr. Dre, The Killers, Lady Gaga, Lil Wayne, Maroon 5, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Kanye West.
Through an arrangement with Hollywood Records, UMG also distributes Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez and through an arrangement with Big Machine, Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift.
Featured Artists : Avril Lavigne, Beyonce, Britney Spears, Chris Brown, Foo Fighters, Pitbull, Shakira
EMI Group is the fourth-largest business group in the 'big four' record companies.
EMI Music is one of the world's leading music companies and has produced some of the most successful and best known recording artists. EMI aim to bring artists and fans together by creating good music experiences. Their record labels include Angel, Astralwerks, Blue Note, EMI Records and Virgin Records.
Featured Artists : Lily Allen, The Beatles, Coldplay, Depeche Mode, David Guetta, Katy Perry, Snoop Dogg, Tinie Tempah, Thirty Seconds To Mars and Robbie Williams.
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group in the 'big four' family.
Warner Music Group is home to a collection of the best-known record labels in the music industry including Asylum, Atlantic, Reprise and Warner Bros.
Featured Artists : Bruno Mars, Michael Buble, Cee Lo Green, Greenday, Madonna, Linkin Park and Paramore.
Independent Labels
An independent record label (indie record label) is a record label which operates without any funding from the organisations of the major record labels. Many bands and artists begin on independent labels before making it big.
Independent labels have a long history, even going back to the post-war period in the United States. In the United Kingdom during the 1950s the independent labels had problems due to the major record companies having so much power and they began to struggle becoming established.
No comments:
Post a Comment