Major VS Independent Record Labels

By Sophie Scott

Major Record Labels Independent Record LabelsRecord label operating without the funding of or outside the organisations of major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.

The independent labels usually aimed their releases at a small but devoted audience, not relying on mass sales for success, giving artists much more scope for experimentation and artistic freedom.

Record labels are often under the control of a Music Group. The artists are funded by major record company's who have the funding to support the artist.

A music group is typically owned by an international conglomerate holding company which often has non music divisions as well. Controls and consists of music publishing companies, record manufacturers, record distributors and record. Major record labels aim their release at big audiences, relying on mass sales for success.

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The artist benefits from the record label. The production of the song an artist sings is mainly controlled by the record label and its assigned producers. The distribution of the song will be taken care off by the record label by spending a lot of money advertising Knowing that they will make the money back because of the above and below the line promotion.

The artist normally does not benefit the record label but not in all cases. Some independent artists make a profit because of their loyal listeners that buy their merchandise and/or follow the movement of them e.g. shows.

Some of the independent labels are solely independent but some are controlled by major labels. Production, distribution and exhibition is limited because of the lack of money.

Who are the Big 3?

Major labels since 2012 (Big Four) are : Universal Music GroupSony Music Entertainment (BMG)Warner Music Group

Subsidiary Labels - Warner Music Group:Atlantic Records GroupWarner Bros. Records GroupRhino EntertainmentParlophone Label GroupWarner Music NashvilleWarner ClassicsWarner Music International

Subsidiary Labels – Universal Music Group:1 Interscope-Geffen-A&MCapitol Music GroupRepublic RecordsIsland RecordsDef Jam RecordingsUniversal Music Group NashvilleUniversal Music Latin EntertainmentThe Verve Music GroupUniversal Music ClassicalUniversal Music EnterprisesShow Dog-Universal MusicEagle Rock EntertainmentUniversal Music UKUniversal Music Group national companiesThird-party major labels distributed by Universal Music Group

Subsidiary Labels - Sony Music EntertainmentColumbia RecordsEpic RecordsRCA RecordsSony Music NashvilleSony MasterworksProvident Music GroupLegacy RecordingsRED DistributionIODA and The Orchard LabelsSony Music UKSony Music JapanOther Sony Music national companiesIndependent labels distributed by Sony Music Entertainment

Independent Labels

Alive or Lifeless: an inclusive independent group, production team and record label representing the Maryland/D.C. area for Rap/Hip-Hop street music

Find out about someIndependent labels (you finda list of UK one here)

Heavenly Recordings: is a London-based independent record label founded by Jeff Barrett. In its history spanning over two decades, the label has discovered and released records by influential artists including Manic Street Preachers,

Imaginary Records: was an independent record label based in Heywood, Greater Manchester, England, which specialised mainly in indie rock and post-punk. It was created and owned by Alan Duffy, known for his lyrical contributions to Porcupine Tree's first two albums

Tempa: is a dubstep, 2-step garage and UK garage record label run by Ammunition Promotions, out of the Truman Brewery, East London. Tempa is widely considered to be one of the founding labels of the dubstep sound,

War: commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music

Anjunabeats: is a British record label, started by producers Jonathan "Jono" Grant and Paavo Siljamäki in 2000 which releases trance music