Major and Independant Record Labels

SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT (Sony ME)

Currently one of the second biggest global record label companys. Sony ME parent company is Sony Corporation of America. Sony Music Entertainment is not only responsible of running the vast majority of the music industry but it also the film, technical and gadgets business.

Some artists manged by Sony ME:

- Micheal Jackson
- Beyonce
- Kelly Clarkson
- One Direction
- The Wanted
- Katy Perry
- Rita Ora
- Jay-Z
- Kanye West
- Birdie
- Little Mix
- Girls Aloud
- Dizzee Rascal
- Flo Rida
Sony ME not only works closely with the music side of its company but also focuses on franchising its other popular label which often links alongside the musical label, which would be sony ME filming industry, which has released such films as ie. Ghostbusters, Spider-man and Men in Black.

Subsidiary labels include:

Columbia records- The hoosiers, Bob Dylan, Chipmunk
Roc Nation- Rita Ora,Rihanna,Kayne West
EPIC records- Olly Murs, Cher Lloyd, One direction
Fueled By Ramen- Gym Class Heroes, Paramore, A rocket to the moon
Warner Music Group- Oasis, T.I. Lupe Fiasco
Elektra Records- Ed Sheeran, Marina and the Diamonds, Cee lo Green
Atlantic Records- Wiz Khalifa, Cody Simpson, Kid Rock

The Parent company of Warners brothers, is infact Time warner; not only manages the record company but the business also branches in the televison industry with a company called CBS coporation; along side CBS is the hugely popular Boomerang,Cartoon Network and Time Warner which aims for two very different demographics, so gains a variety of interest from audiences.Warner bros  is mainly responsible for Time Warners success as it is one of its highest produced subsidary labels in the filming industry and has produced such as Harry Potter, Nightmare on Elm Street and many Disney productions to name a few.

Independant labels:
A much more riskier option, which usually results in a rather small fan base and following compared to subsidary labels as independant labels relie on purely on one or a few labels which usually means fewer artists.
Jeepster records-Specialises in alternative bands and indie artists/bands. One of its most successful acts are Snow Patrol and have been really lucky with their success from them as they have done really well in the industry and have moved into more mainstream, commerical careers.
V Records- One of the longest running labels starting back in 1993; V records specialises in finding current and upcoming acts that pruduce with drum and bass including such artists as DJ rush and Optical.

Other examples of artists on an independant label include:

- JME the CEO and one of the artists of BBK (Boy Better Know)
- Skepta from BBK (Boy Better Know)
-  John Conlee from 16th Avenue Records
- DeDe Higgins from 16th Avenue Records
Is it right in your point of view as well an industry point of view that 4 companies dominate the music industry?
In my own opinion I feel that is is fair that 4 companies dominate the music industry as the companies that are at the top of the industry have clearly worked really hard to work their companies to the top and also not all of the companies have the same demographics, which means that they specialise in not just one specific genre when being aired on the radio. This can be taken into account when looking at a world wide brand that is Sony ME which manage the likes of Katy Perry but also manage someone like Johnny Cash who is the complete opposite genre wise then Perry.

The same can be shown for Warner Music who have artists from Oasis to T.I. who couldnt be any more different with their music. But I can see why people would disagree with the 4 companies being dominant, and this is because the independant labels find it much harder getting their artists aired or showed on television and this is because most mainstream artists are being branded in more then just radio and are genuinly more commecial then independant labels.

Especially when money is involved because companys like Sony ME will be clear about their artists making money for their company and be prepared to range to a larger demographic. Whereas an independant company like V-records would put their name on the line to focus on only a few of their artists and appeal to their very niche audience which is a disadvantage for them.

What effect do you think this has on the industry?
I think that it makes it harder for audiences to listen to independant labels as they are rarely ever on radio stations, whereas companies like Sony ME are in full control of the charts which makes it hard for independant labels to get reconition. Shows like The Xfactor are a perfect example of how Sony ME will market their audiences and also mainly try to commecialise their artists by putting them on as the special acts on the show as they know Xfactor has a huge demographic.
 However their will always be artists who have an appeal to audience eg. One Direction who have very big control over the charts so Sony ME will use them on commecials to encourage sales. This has a huge impact on the industry as it sets a big divide which puts the labels who and who dont get money for the labels. This can be proven as a subsidary label can earn millions compared to an independant label who would be lucky to earn not even a quarter of that as their music has not been distributed in the charts as successfully as a subsidary label would have.
Are independant labels as sucessful as major labels, how do you judge this?
No, this can be purely proven by the artist in general and their fanbase that is keeping them on top of the charts, which is very unlikely to happen to independent labels as they do not advertise as successfully as well as a major label would promote their star. But if we were going to look at what independent labels aims are, then they would be successful as they have set out and achieved to target their niche audiences and apply to their specific genre even though compared to a major label whose artist will be much more well known then a independant artist.
Is there anything that independant labels offer the industry that major labels do not?
In my personal opinion I feel that Major labels are more involved with the money and the income of the star in sales and will do anything to make their artists 'perfect' at the time,for the music industry. Whereas independant labels focus purely on their artists talent and cater to their niche audiences and are not money driven which really connects distributors and consumers together. So presumely independant labels are purely music based and not for the publicity side of the media.