Music Industry Research

When artists make it into the music industry, it normally means that they've been signed to a record label. A record label is a brand and a trademark that is responsible and associated with of music recording and the music videos that go with them. Also a record label manages other brands that coordinate the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotions. They also take charge of the enforcement of copyright protection of their sound recordings and music videos, conduct talent scouting and development of new artists and maintains contracts with recording artists and their managers.

In the music industry most artists that have been signed with a contract have become increasingly reliant upon record labels to broaden their audience, market their albums, and heard on radio, television with publicists that assist performers in positive media reports to market their merchandise, and make it available via stores such as HMV. The Internet has increasingly been a way that some artists avoid costs and gain new audiences via YouTube to sell their products.

Major Record Labels

In the music industry, the 4 record labels that are mentioned below have been recognised as the 4 major record labels and known as 'The Big Four'

Sony Music Entertainment- http://www.sonymusic.com/

Sony Music Entertainment is a global recorded music company with a roster that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars. The company has a vast catalog that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. Also it is home to premiere record label representing music from every genre. This record company is just one part of the whole 'Sony' enterprise. They manage major record labels such as Columbia Records and Epic Label Group.

Artists signed to SME include: Avril Lavigne, Britney Spears, Bruce Springsteen, Chris Brown, Duran Duran, Dido, Good Charlotte, Jennifer Lopez, Justin Timberlake, Ke$ha, Leona Lewis, Will Young, Kings Of Leon and Beyonce.

EMI Music- http://www.emimusic.com/

EMI Music is one of the world’s leading music companies and home to some of the best known recording artists of all time. Through their companies and network of licensees, they're able to provide for artists from all parts of the world. EMI Music aims to bring artists and fans together by creating value wherever music is experienced. Their record labels include Angel, Astralwerks, Blue Note, Capitol, Capitol Latin, Capitol Records Nashville, EMI Classics, EMI CMG, EMI Records, EMI Records Nashville, Manhattan, Parlophone, Virgin Classics and Virgin Records.

Artists signed to EMI include: Lily Allen, The Beatles, Coldplay, David Guetta, Norah Jones, Katy Perry, Tinie Tempah, Robbie Williams and Thirty Seconds To Mars.

Warner Music Group- http://www.wmg.com/

Warner Music Group is home to a collection of the best-known record labels in the music industry including Asylum, Atlantic, Cordless, East West, Elektra, Nonesuch, Reprise, Rhino, Roadrunner, Rykodisc, Sire and Warner Bros.

Artists signed to WMG include: A-ha, Bruno Mars, Michael Buble, Cee Lo Green, The Darkness, Fleetwood Mac, Green Day, Josh Groban, Madonna, Muse, Linkin Park and Paramore

Universal Music Group- http://www.universalmusic.com

Universal Music Group (UMG) is the world’s largest music content company. Their recorded music business discovers and develops recording artists and then markets and promotes their music across a wide array of formats and platforms. UMG's music publishing company, Universal Music Publishing Group, discovers and develops songwriters, and owns and administers copyrights to musical compositions for use in recordings, public performances, and related uses, such as films and advertisements. Labels include: A&M/Octone, Barclay, Decca, Deutsche Grammophon, Disa, ECM, Emarcy, Fonovisa, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Island Def Jam Music Group, Machete Music, Mercury Records, Polydor Records, Show Dog–Universal Music.

Artists signed to UMG include: Justin Bieber, The Black Eyed Peas, Bon Jovi, Colbie Caillat, Mariah Carey, Eminem, Nelly Furtado, The Killers, Lady Gaga, LMFAO, Jennifer Lopez, Maroon 5, Rihanna, Duffy, Florence + The Machine, Jessie J, Elton John, Mumford & Sons, Snow Patrol and Take That.
Through an arrangement with Hollywood Records, UMG also distributes Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez and the Scene, and through an arrangement with Big Machine, Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift.

Independent Labels
Independent Labels in the USA can be linked back to post war times with record labels being attracted to rock and roll artists such as Elvis Presley. However in the UK, independent record labels really struggled to compete with the major labels at that time (EMI and Decca). However the UK independent label scene started to rise and nowadays artists from these labels are well known, maybe not as huge as some international stars but known in the UK and they try to break their talents into the USA scene.
Some UK Independent labels and their artists:

• 4AD: Bon Iver
• Barely Breaking Even: will.i.am
• Beggars Banquet Records: Biffy Clyro
• Cherry Red Records: The Runaways
• Cooking Vinyl: Less Than Jake, Fightstar and Blondie

Many more artists who came from independent background and make it to be signed to the major record labels either based in the UK or in America. The type of music I want to use will be Indie as the target audience is around my age so it will be logical for me as I can relate to others opinions. The artist I will use would be signed to something like these independent labels such as Beggars Banquet Records. However some of these independent records become owned by bigger labels but I can imagine using a piece of music with this style and genre that would fit in a independent label.