The Big Four Record Labels

The Big Four Record Labels

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  The Big FourRecord Labels By Ikhlas, Kate and Nicola
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  Music Industry: Within themusic industry, most recording artists have become increasingly dependent on record labels to expand their audience, market their albums, and be both promoted and heard on radio, television, with publicists that assist performers in positive media reports to market their merchandise, and make it available via stores and other media outlets. The Internet has increasingly been a way that some artists avoid costs and gain new audiences, as well as the use of videos in some cases, to sell their products. Record labels may be small, localized, independent or they may be part of a large international media group, or in between. The largest 4 record labels are called major labels.
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  Record Labels: • Recordlabels are often under the control of a corporate umbrella organization called a music group. A music group is typically owned by an international conglomerate holding company, which often has non-music divisions as well. A music group controls and consists of music publishing companies, record (sound recording) manufacturers, record distributors, and record labels. As of 2005, the "big four" music groups control about 70% of the world music market, and about 80% of the United States music market. Record companies (manufacturers, distributors, and labels) may also comprise a record group which is, in turn, controlled by a music group. The constituent companies in a music group or record group are sometimes marketed as being divisions of the group.
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  Universal Music Group: TheUniversal 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
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  Sony BMG MusicEntertainment: 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
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  EMI Group: The EMIGroup 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
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  The Warner MusicGroup 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 Warner Music Group:
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  Statistics: The global marketwas estimated at $30–40 billion in 2004.Total annual unit sales (CDs, music videos, MP3s) in 2004 were 3 billion. The big four accounted for 71.7% of retail music sales: • Universal Music Group—25.5% • Sony Music Entertainment—21.5% • EMI Group—13.4% • Warner Music Group—11.3% • independent labels—28.3%