Record Labels

Major Labels vs. Independent Labels

Owen Husney is a musician, artist manager, and concert promoter based in Minneapolis. He was Prince's first manager, and the person who arranged the famous contract with Warner Brothers which allowed Prince nearly unprecedented creative control over his music. This is him speaking about the relationship between major record labels and independent/indie labels.

The common perception of a record label is the top four major labels. These labels are brands and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion, and enforcement of copyright protection of sound recordings and music videos; conducts talent scouting and development of new artists; and maintains contracts with recording artists and their managers. The term "record label" derives from the circular label in the centre of a vinyl record which prominently displays the manufacturer's name, along with other information. In comparison with this, independent labels are small, local or a part of a bigger companies. These companies hunt for new artist including talent scouting which is the tradition way in the industry. The contrast of the two different types of labels is the cycle in which they go under to find talent, for example independent labels look at scouting at local gigs, whereas the big four use new medias like talent shows and youtube to create the idea of mass production. For artist like Boosh, scouting is the only way to get noticed as it is a very niche market of music and will need to be found through their talent and not by the ease of the major record label factory.

The Top Four Major Labels 

1. Universal Music Group

The Universal Music Group sells more music than any other major label. They accounted for 25.5% of the market in 2005, according to IFPI. The group's well-known label imprints include Geffen, Interscope, Island, Motown, and Universal. Key artists are:

• Black Eyed Peas
• Mariah Carey
• 50 Cent
• Gwen Stefani
• Kanye West

Subsidiaries: 

• Interscope Geffen A&M
• The Island Of Def Jam Music
• Decca
• Show Dog

 2. Sony BMG Music Entertainment

Sony BMG Music Entertainment is the second biggest major record label in music sales. They accounted for 21.5% of the market in 2005. The company's well-known label imprints include Arista, Columbia, Epic, J, Jive, and RCA. Key artists are:

• Kelly Clarkson
• Alicia Keys
• Outkast
• Shakira
• Britney Spears

Subsidiaries:

• Columbia Records
• Epic Records
• RCA
• Roc Nation 

3. EMI Group

The EMI Group is the third biggest major record label in music sales. They accounted for 13.4% of the market in 2005. The group's well-known label imprints include Astralwerks, Capitol, EMI, Mute, and Virgin. Key artists are:

• The Beatles
• Coldplay
• Gorillaz
• Rolling Stones
• Robbie Williams

Subsidiaries:

• Blue Note
• Capitol Music
• Caroline Distribution
• Virgin Music

4. Warner Music Group

The Warner Music Group is the fourth major record label in music sales. They accounted for 11.3% of the market in 2005. The group's well-known label imprints include Asylum, Atlantic, Lava, Reprise, Rhino, and Warner Bros. Key artists are:

• Green Day
• Madonna
• Alanis Morissette
• My Chemical Romance
• Rob Thomas

Subsidiaries:

• Atlantic Records
• Warner Bros. Records
• Rhino Entertainment
• Fearless Recorde