Research Into Record Labels - Miss Georgiou

There are a range of purposes for the use of record labels. This kind of element is very important within the music industry. There are a range of record labels all over the world and some are extremely large and successful. The definition for major record labels is large companies within the music industry that may also own smaller record labels. Record labels allow particular artists signed with them which own their music. Record labels are used as it allows artists to become more popular, as they are experienced companies which know what type of promotion is effective and which isn't.

There are a variety of major labels within the UK today. Some of which are 'Virgin EMI Records.' Virgin EMI Records participate within the music entertainment in a British label which is owned by the Universal Music Group, and was formed in 2013. The company of Virgin are known to be very diversified as they branch out their company in a range of different categories within the media, including having a record label. They manage a range of successful and famous musical artists such as Taylor Swift, Emeli Sande, Jake Bugg, Gorgon City, Ella Eyre, The Vamps and so many more. In 2012, the company was the fourth-largest business groups and the family of the record labels within the recording industry was also one of four very big record companies. 

Another example of a British Record label is PMR records, which are mainly known for being involved within the pop genre of music. This is the label managed by artists such as Jessie Ware and Disclosure and is a record label in which manages upbeat, club type of music. The brothers Ben and Daniel Parmar started this record label. They wanted to start a music company that had a "real culture." PMR can seem by some relatively small-scale, perhaps due to its club-focused labels like Hyperdub and Numbers. One of the signed artists Jessie Ware's debut album was nominated for the Mercury music prize, and is currently on a sell-out world tour. The Lawrence brothers, now known as Disclosure, have had a Number Two single in the UK charts. PMR records combines low key indie music with qualifible success of a music major. 


Another large music label based within the UK would include the company Sony Music Entertainment. These are a major music label. This particular company own successful and famous artists such as Daft Punk, One Direction, Tine Tempah, Olly Murs and Miley Cyrus. As they are a large company, they also own a variety of subsidiary companies, some examples include Columbia Records and Epic Records. The company of Sony is very wide spread within different types of media platforms than just the musical entertainment. These include gaming, televisions, mobile phones and more.

The definition for an Independent company is the music labels that operate one or a few music labels. Independent labels can be just as successful but operate from a smaller company base. They are traditionally known as offering more 'organic' music than manufactured mainstream music. 

An example of a successful British record label is National Anthem records. This type of record label mainly focuses on grand hustle type of music, and is owned by Columbia records. This company is an independent company. Some artists which are managed within this company are Haim, LoveLife, Sir Sly, Josh Record, Wardell, The Orwells, Ecstacy and so many more. Nation Anthem record label is more of a less popular music label, which is not recognised by many. They also manage a range of less known, more alternative artists.




Another example for an independent music label is 'Fatcat Records.' This particular type of record label is based in Brighton and was funded in 1977. This label specifies within the music genres of electric, indie, punk rock, pop and house music. They have signed artists such as Nina Nastasia, Tom Brosseau, David Daniels and The Rank Deluxe. This particular type of independent record label signs new artists to allow them to be exposed in a certain way which the fresh artist needs in order to be seen as a star within the music industry.


There are a range of different record labels which have different purposes. Some are more dominant, successful and known than others. By having independent companies allows new and fresh artists to come into the musical industry scene and start of their career. I think record labels are essential within the music industry as they own the means of production. They handle different types of music genres and can help them to build their success within how famous they are, due to marketing. There is a major difference between independent and major record label companies. Major record labels are known to be the most dominant and 'rule' the music industry. After analysing these major companies, I have noticed a type of pattern. All of the companies are ones which are also successful within different types of terraces. These include elements such as travel, branded planes, also television, mobile phones etc. This is what's known as diversification. Such independent companies are all very unknown companies which focus only on their artists signed. This highlights their independence, as no audiences would be able to easily hear about it upon different media platforms like a major company would. Means of artists also vary within the record label industry, major labels own the artist and their success, however; artists whom are signed towards independent companies have a right towards their music and are not owned. These artists are then able to use their own music whenever they please and are allowed to sell their music off to such things like commercials, films, tv programmes, showing the advantages of working with independent companies. Major record labels also do have advantages towards signing with their company, as it gives the artist the type of advertisement which they need to become a success. Independent labels are still successful companies. An example of this is by the independent company of Nation Anthem, with one of their artist signed which is Haim, with one of her albums being 'one of the 100 best albums of the decade so far,' stated by Pitchfork Media in August 2014. Major record label artists would get similar responses which shows similarities within the two very different types of labels. An example of this is Sony Entertainment. An example of this is one of their best songs 'Up All Night' which quickly went to the top 10 in the UK singles chart, alongside their other singles such as 'What Makes You Beautiful' and 'One Thing.' Independent labels offer a range of things which major labels cannot. This include such things like taking time into your album and nurturing the artist. On the other hand, major record labels will only treat the artist like a money maker, they are encouraged to constantly make music to always be making money. 

I think that is not fair for the dominant record labels to have more power and more control than other companies. They have more well known artists which help to increase the number of rates and I come for employees within the industry as that is what the majority of audiences want to listen to and buy. They are also more of a reliable company. They can promise artists a successful career. Record labels give artists a large amount of money to promote themselves, such as go on tour. These amounts can go up to millions of pounds/dollars. This then means they are forever in the medias eye, however; artists which are signed to independent companies are not signed, such as making Youtube videos of them singing and relying completely on their fan base. It is unfair as they do not have the privilege to afford all the promotional materials essential to make a famous artist, due to the fact that they do not specify within the pop music genre. This also then means less visibility to promote themselves to a wide range of audiences. Being so reliable upon a fan base can be extremely challenging, as one artist could be a craze for one phase and then another craze for another artist the next, leaving independant artists left unsuccessful. Fans can also get bored as independant artists are not being beneficial in return for the fans loyalty. This can include things like concerts and flying to different countries for meet and greets. Dominant companies give artists a helping hand when trying to get to the top, but artist within independant companies have to do more by themselves. This has a high effect upon the independent artists as they cannot represent their full potential towards a wider range of audiences. They will struggle to try and meet the needs of a dominant company, meaning their alternative and different style will not be as recognised as it could be if it was signed to a dominant company. This are examples towards why I think different record labels are not equal and fair.