Record Labels are split into two categories: major and independent.
Major
Labels:
Major
Labels can be looked at like a family tree. At the top of the tree you have
'The Big 4': Universal Music Group, Sony-BMG, EMI, and Warner Music Group. And
then from these 4 you have their subsidiaries, for example Sony-BMG would look
like this:
Universal Music Group
The
‘Universal Music Group’ was founded in the year 1996 and is the record label
with the biggest family of subsidiaries. Being the biggest label it also boasts
the more popular and widely known artists as well as more successful artists
than any other label. Examples of Artists that have been assigned to Universal Music group are Taylor Swift, Kanye West, Lana Del Rey, Will Smith, ABBA and many others.
Sony-BMG
Sony-BMG was founded in 2004 and now owns many
different record labels such as J Records, Colombia Records, RCA Victor Records,
Epic Records, Jive Records and many more. Sony-BMG also have a signed agreement Youtube
allowing Sony-BMG content to be viewed on YouTube. Some examples of artists who have been signed by Sony-BMG: Michael Jackson, George Michael, Beyoncé, The Chainsmokers, Prince, Calvin Harris and many others.
EMI
Being founded in 1931, EMI is the oldest label out of 'The Big 4'. EMI tends to sign up-and-coming artists instead of signing internationally recognised artists unlike other labels. Artists who have been assigned by EMI include The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Queen, Iron Maiden, Red hot Chilli Peppers, AC/DC, Robbie Williams, Duran Duran and many others.
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group was founded in 1958 as "Warner Bros Records". Artists such as Led Zepplin, the Bee Gee's, Ed Sheeran, Madonna, Prince, The Rolling Stones, Phil Collins and many others have been signed by Warner Music group.
Independent Labels:
Independent labels have played an important role over the years with music within genres such as: country, jass, Rock 'n' roll and blues. Some independent labels include the likes of:
Sun Records
Sun Records was founded by Sam Philips. The record label is an independent record label in America that was first to record artists such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and other well known artists.
A&M Records
A&M Records isn't technically an independent record label anymore however when it was founded by Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss as "Carnival Records". However after releasing two singles they changed their name to A&M Records as Carnival was already being used by another label. After the Sex Pistols were dropped by EMI, A&M Records signed them however they then dropped them after one week.
A&M records have assigned various well known artists such as Bryan Adams, Janet Jackson, Sting, Gun and many others.
After one decade A&M Records became the biggest independent record label in the world.
Beserkley Records
Founded in 1973 by Matthew King Kaufman.
EMI
Being founded in 1931, EMI is the oldest label out of 'The Big 4'. EMI tends to sign up-and-coming artists instead of signing internationally recognised artists unlike other labels. Artists who have been assigned by EMI include The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Queen, Iron Maiden, Red hot Chilli Peppers, AC/DC, Robbie Williams, Duran Duran and many others.
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group was founded in 1958 as "Warner Bros Records". Artists such as Led Zepplin, the Bee Gee's, Ed Sheeran, Madonna, Prince, The Rolling Stones, Phil Collins and many others have been signed by Warner Music group.
Independent Labels:
Independent labels have played an important role over the years with music within genres such as: country, jass, Rock 'n' roll and blues. Some independent labels include the likes of:
Sun Records
Sun Records was founded by Sam Philips. The record label is an independent record label in America that was first to record artists such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and other well known artists.
A&M Records
A&M Records isn't technically an independent record label anymore however when it was founded by Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss as "Carnival Records". However after releasing two singles they changed their name to A&M Records as Carnival was already being used by another label. After the Sex Pistols were dropped by EMI, A&M Records signed them however they then dropped them after one week.
A&M records have assigned various well known artists such as Bryan Adams, Janet Jackson, Sting, Gun and many others.
After one decade A&M Records became the biggest independent record label in the world.
Beserkley Records
Founded in 1973 by Matthew King Kaufman.
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