Record Labels and Sony Music
What is a Record Label?
''A record label, or record company, is a brand or trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos.''
In other words, record labels are usually a company that promotes and distribute music to consumers so that they make money. This could include music videos especially because they help to gain customer awareness of an artist. A record label has multiple objectives and roles in the movie industry. However, the overall objective is usually to make money using artists and their popularity.
Other roles include ''managing such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing, promotion, and enforcement of copyright for sound recordings and music videos; also conducting talent scouting and development of new artists''. Recruiting and developing anew artist is also called A&R.
Record labels become well-known to artists and the public as they are printed on music products such as CDs, vinyl and merchandise, etc.
Types of Record Labels
Major Labels
Major Labels include:
- Warner Music Group
- EMI
- Sony Music Entertainment
- BMG
- Universal Music Group
- and PolyGram.
These types of record labels have the potential to offer deals to the world's most successful musicians. This label owns distribution networks where the artist's music that is signed to the label is released and distributed to the consumers. The label and the artist have to sing several contracts considering licensing and distribution agreements. This will make sure that the label will get a cut of the artist's earning while the artist and his/her music is being promoted by the label.
Major UK Record labels:
Independent Labels
Independent Labels include:
- DFA records
- Fierce Panda Records
- 4AD, Matador Records
- Electric Honey
- and Factory Records
Independent labels also known as 'indie' labels can find it really hard to offer a good deal to an artist, but their objective is usually to let unknown artists become known to the community and let them expand their musical talent in the future. They do this for cheap deals that bring little profit into the business.
Indie labels have smaller distribution networks so there are less efficient ways of getting the name or song of an artist across to the listener. They aim to focus on their target more specifically. This could be a niche audience instead of a mass audience where an artist is likely to appeal to most of the majority. However, the reason why these labels are well-known and have a good reputation is that they are always up to date with what people prefer to listen to as well as they give distinctive artists a chance to become well-known for their talent. Sometimes, these labels pick artists who later become sensational musicians.
Indie labels have smaller distribution networks so there are less efficient ways of getting the name or song of an artist across to the listener. They aim to focus on their target more specifically. This could be a niche audience instead of a mass audience where an artist is likely to appeal to most of the majority. However, the reason why these labels are well-known and have a good reputation is that they are always up to date with what people prefer to listen to as well as they give distinctive artists a chance to become well-known for their talent. Sometimes, these labels pick artists who later become sensational musicians.
Independent UK Record Labels:
Record Label Controls
This is basically about the terms and conditions contracts that the label and the artist sign so that they will know who has more control and over what. Since signing to a label could be a good move for an artist, the label writes the contracts in its favor. For a new artist who just signed a label, he/she has a low level of control over the music being produced. For example, the label decides the type of music being recorded ''which can include everything from the way the music sounds to the song lyrics''. Also, the album cover could be changed.
Most of the times, a contract between an artist and a label is beneficial for both of them as they are making money out of the deal, there could be contentions times where the artist disagrees with the contract as he/she could be making a lot more money out of it. The more successful an artist becomes, the more relevant it will be for the label to keep him/her so that the label could increase revenue in the future. This also means that an artist will have the ability to renegotiate over the contract since the label wants to stick to the artist. Letting the artist have more control is the best way to make it happen.
Labels Today
In the 20th century, record labels used to be the driving force behind an artist's reputation. If a label decided to promote an artist then he/she could become much more profitable whereas if a label decided to stop promoting an artist, his/her career was more likely to end shortly afterward.
On the other hand, in the modern days, a lot of artists distribute their own music through the internet, and music streaming platforms such as Sound Cloud and Apple Music. Labels no offer 360 deals which means that the artists get a cut from their album sales, media appearances, and product endorsements.
On the other hand, in the modern days, a lot of artists distribute their own music through the internet, and music streaming platforms such as Sound Cloud and Apple Music. Labels no offer 360 deals which means that the artists get a cut from their album sales, media appearances, and product endorsements.
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/what-is-a-record-label-2460614
What is Sony Music?
Columbia is the oldest record label in the recording industry formed in 1887. From this point, Sony music evolved and became the best in the business to create a world-class record label and industry leader. Other labels such as Columbia, RCA, Syco, Commercial Group, Red Essential, Relentless, Black Butter, Ministry of Sound and insanity all make up the Sony music family. Sony has signed several local and international superstars both in the past and the present. The oldest ones Include Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash etc.
On the official website of Sony, viewers could look up the artists who have recently signed to the labels of the record, and the music news such as which one of those artists have released new songs, albums or music videos. Unreleased albums could also be pre-ordered for each upcoming album which is a good example of how Sony Music is trying to expand through increasing revenue and the probability of making a potential customer buy a product.
On the official website of Sony, viewers could look up the artists who have recently signed to the labels of the record, and the music news such as which one of those artists have released new songs, albums or music videos. Unreleased albums could also be pre-ordered for each upcoming album which is a good example of how Sony Music is trying to expand through increasing revenue and the probability of making a potential customer buy a product.
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