Atlantic Records Group
Warner Brothers Records Inc.
Rhino Entertainment
Independent Label Group
2. EMI
Angel Music Group
Capitol Music Group
Capitol Music Group
Blue Note Label Group
Caroline Distribution
EMI Christian Music Group
3. Sony Music Entertainment (Formerly Sony BMG)
Columbia Records
Epic Records
Epic Records
RCA Music Group
Zomba Label Group
Legacy Recordings
Sony Music Nashville
Provident Music Group
Sony Masterworks
Red Distribution
Syco Music
Sony Music International
Interscope/Geffen/A&M
Island Def Jam Music Group
Universal Motown Republic Group
Universal Music Group Nashville
Universal Music Latin Entertainment
Sanctuary Group
The Verve Music Group
Decca Label Group
Universal Music Enterprises
V2/Co-Operative Music
********Please note, there are too many sub-labels and affiliated companies to list. If you need further information you can visit wikipedia's website under record labels. Or, click the links above to research about a specific company.
Currently, major music companies make up for about 75% of all music sales in the world. Each of the four majors are comprised of record labels and sub-labels. For example, under the Warner Music Group imprint is Atlantic records (a major record label). Under Atlantic records is Bad Boy records (a sub-label of Atlantic). It can get pretty complexed although this is pretty much the standard "flow". Mergers and acquisitions are typical practice throughout the label game and seem to be a yearly occurrence.
Why should artists/bands chose a major label? Great question...
Major label representation is "probably" still the best option for artists/bands, however the DIY (Do-It-Yourself) structure is becoming more and more prevalent. Major labels will be able to invest more money into your project and give you the larger advance compared to independent labels where you may not get an advance. However, in my opinion the most beneficial reality of a major label is the fact that they have the biggest budget to work with. Meaning they can spend big bucks on marketing and promotion. Major labels are technically "investors" to bands/artists, and will in turn take a big chunk of the money you make which is determined by the type of record deal that you sign. More often than not, if you make $10 on an album sale the label keeps $9 for relatively unknown artists which are new to the label. Sounds like a rip-off right? But thats the model that has been in place for years. If you don't like it, stay independent. I will certainly respect it....
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