Independent and Major Record Labels

Major record labels:

Major record labels are large company's who produce distribute and market their artists work this is because most major labels are owned by a parent company Sony BMG is owned by Sony and so on. one of the positives of being part of a major label is that they have large amount of contacts to get you the best people to market, produce and distribute your work. however with being part of a major label you have to sign a contract that will dictate how long you work for them. Here are The Big Three and some of their subsidiaries:

Sony BMG

subsidiaries; Columbia Records, Legacy Recordings and RCA Records

Universal Music Group

subsidiaries; Island Records, Motown, Virgin Records and Vevo LCC

Warner Music Group

Subsidiaries; Atlantic Records, Warner Bros Records, Fuelled by Ramen

The big three labels can make up around 80 percent of the music market.By industry definition, a major label is a label that commands a high percentage of the annual sales of records, and has their own distribution system.

Independent record labels.

 An independent record label (or indie label) is a record label that operates without the funding of or outside major record labels. Many commercial bands and musical acts begin their careers on independent labels. there are huge benefits to being signed by an independent record label for example you have more personal creative control over your work as an artist. however the down sides to being under and independent label is that it has a smaller range of distribution possibility's, and less contacts for marketing.

here are some independent labels and their signed artists.

Sumerian Records - Asking Alexandria

Rise Records - Cane Hill

Demon Records - Elvis Costello

Island Records - Amy Winehouse