record labels

Record LabelsThere are four major record labels which operate in the UK; Sony BMG, Universal

Music Group, EMI and Warner Music Group.

Sony BMG

- This record label used to be 50/50 owned with Sony Music Entertainment and Bertelsmann Music Group in 2004.

- In 2008, Sony agreed to buy Bertelsmann’s 50% stake so that Sony would gain full control

- Many mainstream artists belong to this record label including; Beyonce, Elvis, Michael Jackson, The Strokes and many many more.

Universal Music Group

- Universal Music Group is the largest business group of record labels.

- Universal Music Group owns the Universal Music Publishing Group, which was the world’s largest in 2007.

- This record label also holds a lot of mainstream artists such as; Kanye West, Stevie Wonder, Fall Out Boy and Bon Jovi.

EMI

- EMI is the fourth largest of the “big four” record labels.

- EMI now holds the world’s largest music publisher, receiving an award for in 10 years running; the award was shared jointly with Universal Music Publishing, in 2009.

-Artists include; Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, Coldplay and Radiohead, along with hundreds of others.

Warner Music Group

-This is the third largest of the four.

-Warner Music Group also has a music publishing arm called Warner/Chappell Music, which is currently one of the world's largest music-publishing companies.

- Artists include; Aretha Franklin, Guns N’ Roses, The Prodigy, and many more.