Music 
Labels
What is a record label? 
• A record label is a brand/trademarks associated with the 
marketing of music records and music videos 
• Record labels can also be publishing companies that co-ordinates 
production, manufactures, distributes, 
markets, promotes and enforces copyright, talent scouts, 
the development of artists and maintains contracts with 
recording artists 
• Record labels derive from the circular label in the centre 
of a vinyl record, prominently displaying the 
manufacturer’s name.
The Larger 
Record 
Labels
Universal Music Group 
• Universal Music Group is the largest 
music corporation in the world. 
• It currently operates as a subsidiary 
of Paris- based media conglomerate, 
Vivendi. 
• UMG also owns Universal Music 
Publishing (the second largest music 
publishing company in the world) 
• Some notable artists signed by UMG 
are Calvin Harris, Miley Cyrus, 
Ariana Grande, Enrique Iglesias 
etc…
Sony Music Entertainment 
• Sony Music Entertainment is 
an American music 
corporation owned and 
operated by Sony corporation. 
• It is the world’s second largest 
music company 
• Some notable artists signed by 
Sony Music Entertainment are 
Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Bruno 
Mars, Daft Punk etc…
Warner Music Group 
• Warner Music Group are also a 
major global record company and it 
is the 3rd largest in the world 
• The company operates some of the 
largest and most successful 
recording labels in the world 
including Warner Bros Records, 
Parlophone Records and the more 
recognisable Atlantic Records. 
• Some notable artists signed to the 
label are B.O.B, Jason Derulo, Katy 
Perry, Metallica, Madonna etc…
Niche Record 
Labels
4AD 
• 4AD is a British 
independent record label 
that was founded 1979 by 
Ivo Watts- Russell and 
Peter Kent 
• Some notable artists 
include Ariel Pink, Purity 
Ring, Bon Iver, Grimes
Captured Tracks 
• Captured Tracks are a 
Brooklyn based indie-alternative 
record label 
• Artists from this label 
include Beach Fossils, 
Blank Dogs, Blouse, 
Perfect Pussy, Soft Moon 
etc…
Constellation Records 
• Constellation Records are an 
independent record label 
based in Montreal, Quebec 
• They are anti- corporate, anti-capitalist 
and anti- globalist 
• Artists signed to the label 
include 1- Speed Bike, Clues, 
Esmerine, Colin Stetson and 
Exhaust

Music labels

  • 1.
  • 2.
    What is arecord label? • A record label is a brand/trademarks associated with the marketing of music records and music videos • Record labels can also be publishing companies that co-ordinates production, manufactures, distributes, markets, promotes and enforces copyright, talent scouts, the development of artists and maintains contracts with recording artists • Record labels derive from the circular label in the centre of a vinyl record, prominently displaying the manufacturer’s name.
  • 3.
  • 4.
    Universal Music Group • Universal Music Group is the largest music corporation in the world. • It currently operates as a subsidiary of Paris- based media conglomerate, Vivendi. • UMG also owns Universal Music Publishing (the second largest music publishing company in the world) • Some notable artists signed by UMG are Calvin Harris, Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande, Enrique Iglesias etc…
  • 5.
    Sony Music Entertainment • Sony Music Entertainment is an American music corporation owned and operated by Sony corporation. • It is the world’s second largest music company • Some notable artists signed by Sony Music Entertainment are Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Bruno Mars, Daft Punk etc…
  • 6.
    Warner Music Group • Warner Music Group are also a major global record company and it is the 3rd largest in the world • The company operates some of the largest and most successful recording labels in the world including Warner Bros Records, Parlophone Records and the more recognisable Atlantic Records. • Some notable artists signed to the label are B.O.B, Jason Derulo, Katy Perry, Metallica, Madonna etc…
  • 7.
  • 8.
    4AD • 4ADis a British independent record label that was founded 1979 by Ivo Watts- Russell and Peter Kent • Some notable artists include Ariel Pink, Purity Ring, Bon Iver, Grimes
  • 9.
    Captured Tracks •Captured Tracks are a Brooklyn based indie-alternative record label • Artists from this label include Beach Fossils, Blank Dogs, Blouse, Perfect Pussy, Soft Moon etc…
  • 10.
    Constellation Records •Constellation Records are an independent record label based in Montreal, Quebec • They are anti- corporate, anti-capitalist and anti- globalist • Artists signed to the label include 1- Speed Bike, Clues, Esmerine, Colin Stetson and Exhaust