4 Major Music Labels

The 4 Major Music LabelsThe 4 Major Music Labels

By Sophie GarrodBy Sophie Garrod

Artists Artists UMG UMG Promotes:Promotes:

Lady Lady GagaGaga

RihannaRihanna

Black Eyed PeasBlack Eyed Peas

Miley CyrusMiley Cyrus

Jessie JJessie J

Subsidiary Music Labels Subsidiary Music Labels UMG own:UMG own:

• Geffen RecordsGeffen Records

• Interscope RecordsInterscope Records

• A&M RecordsA&M Records

• Polydor RecordsPolydor Records

Controversy!Controversy!

In 2006 an investigation revealed that UMG bribed radio stations top play

song by artists under their label – the company paid 12 million dollars to

the state in settlement

Sony Music Sony Music EntertainmentEntertainment

Artists SME Promote:Artists SME Promote:

Britney Britney SpearsSpears

Alexandra BurkeAlexandra Burke

Calvin HarrisCalvin Harris

Kings Of LeonKings Of Leon

P!NKP!NK

Subsidiary Labels that SME Subsidiary Labels that SME Own:Own:

• Syco Music – founded by Simon Cowell

• Jive Records

• RCA Records

• Epic Records

• Columbia Records

Controversy!!Controversy!!In 2005 SME sent out CDs that had DRM In 2005 SME sent out CDs that had DRM

(Digital Rights Management) (Digital Rights Management) technology built in that when put in a technology built in that when put in a

computer could hide a virus computer could hide a virus undetectably in a ROOTKIT, causing all undetectably in a ROOTKIT, causing all sorts of problems and another part of sorts of problems and another part of the DRM technology meant that SME the DRM technology meant that SME

could find out who’s listening to the CD could find out who’s listening to the CD and how often. Sony recalled these CDs and how often. Sony recalled these CDs which led to law suits and PR problemswhich led to law suits and PR problems

Warner Music Warner Music GroupGroup

ParamoreParamore

MadonnaMadonna

Michael BubléMichael Bublé

Bruno MarsBruno Mars

Cee lo GreenCee lo Green

Subsidiary Labels owned by WMG:

• Atlantic RecordsAtlantic Records

• Lava RecordsLava Records

• LaSalle RecordsLaSalle Records

• Sire RecordsSire Records

• MaverickMaverick

Controversy!!Controversy!!In 2008 – WMG fell out with In 2008 – WMG fell out with

YouTube and as a result blocked YouTube and as a result blocked or muted videos that have music or muted videos that have music belonging to its labels – claiming belonging to its labels – claiming Copyright. This is still continuing Copyright. This is still continuing

and the CEO of WMG said that and the CEO of WMG said that WMG would stop licensing songs WMG would stop licensing songs to free music streaming services to free music streaming services

and that WMG will focus on and that WMG will focus on services that require payment.services that require payment.

Artists that EMI Artists that EMI promote:promote:

Robbie Williams

KylieKylie

ColdplayColdplay

Eliza DoolittleEliza Doolittle

Katy PerryKaty Perry

Subsidiary Music Labels Subsidiary Music Labels that EMI own:that EMI own:

• Virgin RecordsVirgin Records

• Angel RecordsAngel Records

• Manhattan RecordsManhattan Records

• Priority RecordsPriority Records

Recent DevelopmentsRecent Developments

On February 1On February 1stst 2011 2011 Citigroup took 100% Citigroup took 100%

ownership of EMI Group ownership of EMI Group from Terra Firma, writing from Terra Firma, writing off £2.2 billion of debt and off £2.2 billion of debt and reducing EMIs debt load reducing EMIs debt load

by 65%by 65%