Week one – Section B: Institutions & Audiences – The Music Industry

May 7, 2010 at 2:37 pm (AS Media Main Task)

A record label is the brand name for a music release. Record labels are responsible for the manufacture, distribution and promotion of a particular recording. The major labels today are all 4 media conglomerates that operate a number of specific label imprints – the actual company logo stamped on the recording. Within the music industry their products vary depending on the genre of music preferred. In these modern times there are many forms of products that cater to audiences with music in mind, for example ipods are devices that are created for the storage of music, videos, and so on. also there are games consoles which can not only be used to play games but also to play music. Adding to this is laptops, internet, Bluetooth, clothes, accessories, memorabilia, which is used to transfer music as well as other things to other people. these are all different ways that music is played, downloaded, and consumed by its audiences. The internet is now the most effective way of gaining access to music and the artists that produce it, as well as gaining the access to the products that are distributed by the the preferred genres.

These products vary according to its genre, for instance rock music products are generally seen with dark colors and skulls, and so on whereas r’n'b are more adventurous.

1. Universal Music Group

The Universal Music Group sells more music than any other major label. The group’s well-known label imprints include Geffen, Interscope, Island, Motown, and Universal. Key artists are:

2. Sony BMG Music Entertainment

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

3. EMI Group

The EMI Group 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:

4. Warner Music Group

The Warner Music Group 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:

These record labels all differ as they all exhibit different forms of genre of music within the label. They are all record labels set out to sell their artists and their music. They have sign artists that they know are going to be successful in a certain type of genre and utilize their elements to make sure that this is effectively done. Their companies are represented by multi millionaires who share the same interests as them , and therefore know that with the unification of the two brings good results. for example A record label by the name of Young ‘Money records uses their artists to represent them. artists such as Drake and Lil Wayne who are both wealthy artists that represent ‘Young money records, and not only do the artists benefit from the selling of their music, but also the labels benefits as they are becoming more recognized and gaining more status and credibility, increasing its audiences and so on.

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