1. RECORD LABELS
Record labels are essential to an artist and its marketing in terms of their image, recordings
and music videos.
The record label coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing,
promoting and enforcement of copyright for their artists work.
There are numerous record labels in the music industry which are well established in the
urban industry, throughout my research I have found a variety of record labels which would
be suitable to my own artist.
2. MAJOR VS INDEPENDENT
MAJOR RECORD LABELS
A major record label make up 75% of the music market and more
depending on the year, they are linked to the Big Four Labels which
essentially provide funding, artists, and any facilities which they
need.
PROS
• EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUNDING - produce high quality
production, packaging, global physical distribution as well as
digital distribution through the major online outlets, world
tours, and music video shoots.
• NETWORKING AND CONNECTIONS – being well known in the
business allows them to have numerous connections which
allows them to get involved in most music outlets.
• SIZE AND REPUTATION – this allows them to be dominant of
most of the music industry which means they over power
independent labels meaning their artists are given more
opportunities.
CONS
• FIGHT FOR ATTENTION – being in a major label is extremely
competitive, artists may find themselves trying to get attention
rather than working on their music.
• ARTIST UNFRIENDLY DEALS – major labels are completely profit
involved meaning possibilities of small royalties, but it means the
artist does not get to keep the rights or even the creative control
over the music.
• CORPORATE AMERICA - although there are people who work
within the music industry that love music, there are just as many
who don’t, who only see it as the business it is and the product is
music.
INDEPDENDENT RECORD LABELS
An indie label is a record label that is independently funded and
not connected to one of the Big Four major labels.
PROS
• MUSIC RIGHTS – artists have completely control over there
music and what they wish to do with it.
• BELIEF – independent labels unlike major labels are genuinely
involved in love for music, if signed its because they love your
music not because they are being pressured by bored of
directors.
• CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS – independent record labels tend to
have much smaller artist rosters than the larger, major record
labels which means artists typically work one-on-one with a
representative who they can form a much more personal
relationship with.
• PRO ARTIST CONTRACTS - contracts are known to be more
artist-friendly, giving the artist more money for their work
through either profit-sharing programs or simply a larger royalty
percentage than given by the major labels.
CONS
• LACK OF FUNDS – labels are not funded meaning smaller
budget for recording, production of physical disks, packaging,
distribution costs, tour support, merchandise, etc
• DISORGANIZATION - labels are informal, there is the possibility
of things being done incorrectly and then being overlooked
• SIZE - label itself has less influence and power within the music
industry. What this means for an artist, is that a small label may
not be able to cater to their tour and promotion needs.
3. DEF JAM RECORDS
Def Jams is a very well known Hip Hop and R&B based
record label and has worked with very well known
artists in the industry; Frank Ocean, August Alsina,
Jhene Aiko, Jeremih, Mariah Carey etc. Not only this but
they work cooperatively in the distribution of Roc-A-
Fella Records & Kanye West's GOOD Music .
Def Jams is a major record label which means they will
be able to offer our artist an excessive amount of
funding, networks and connections & a good
reputation.
I believe this record label would be best suited with our
own artist, Abdul – from the artists' the label has
worked with, especially August Alsina we can see the
correlation between the label and our own artists
which would allow Abdul to have an appropriate image,
& representation, other than this the label has a vast
amount of connections and links which would mean
our artist would be given a great advantage in terms of
recognition and publicity.
4. ATLANTIC RECORDS
Atlantic Records, similarly to Def Jam Records is a very well
established record label mainly based in urban genres –
R&B, Hip Hop, Jazz & Rock and Roll and works
cooperatively with artists such as Trey Songz, Craig David,
Ed Sheeran, Estelle, Missy Elliot etc.
I believe this record label would be perfectly suited to our
artist, not only has the company been running for a
substantial amount of years meaning they have created a
reputable image for themselves but if we look at the
companies former artists it has names such Craig David, Ed
Sheeran & Estelle which are all British recording artists and
have all had number 1 singles in both the UK and USA
whilst being signed to this record label which shows the
opportunities that this label opens for British artists, other
than this, Trey Songz is a former recording artist for the
label – for our artist, Trey has played a big part in inspiring
and shaping him as an R&B artist.
5. I chose this label due to it being independent, as an underground artist,
Abdul would still not have all the connections and fans he would need
in order to become worldwide which would decrease the amount of
offers he would receive from a major record label, therefore it would be
more likely for an independent label to support him – although much
harder, he would still be able to produce videos, music with the support
of his label unlike being an independent artist, he would also slowly
begin to gain connections whilst being able to control his own image
and work.
In addition to this it is a british label which will be more suitable to
Abdul seeing as he is a british artist himself, this will also help him
establish a british fan base before moving onto other countries which s
extremely helpful seeing as he would have support from his own
country which is good publicity.
JAGUAR RECORDS
This is an impendent record label which has worked with well known
UK grime artists such as P Money, Big Narstie, Jinxci D, 3 Step etc.
These are all underground british artists which suits Abduls image as
it will give him the same chance as other artists whereas if he were
to immediately introduced to a major record label he would be in
competition for recognition with others in the same label whereas
with an independent label it is easier to gain recognition and
exposure.
Due to the label being independent it gives the artist rights to their
own music, close personal relationships and pro artist contracts
which is essential for an artist who is just starting.
6. INDEPENDENTAnother solution rather than becoming part of a record label would be becoming an independent artist, there are
multiple ways in which independent artists raise their recognition, there are a number of independent artists in the
UK which can be compared to Abdul– Abel Miller & Bluey Robison are both UK artists and have established their
own fan base without the help of record labels.
Ways in which they have done this consist of predominantly using social media such as Twitter, Facebook,
Soundcloud, Youtube – In terms of releasing their music they create free downloads, EP’s and covers which are
available on Soundcloud & Youtube, as time goes recognition increases which gives them the opportunity to upload
their albums on iTunes which increases publicity and recognition.
Other than this, both artists have worked collaboratively with famous UK rappers such as K.Koke, Stormzy and
Sneakbo on youtube pages such as SBTV, Fire in the booth, Link up TV and even BBC 1 Radio which are extremely
popular amongst urban audiences – this allows the artist to get suitable recognition from the correct audience.
This could possibly be an alternative solution for our artist reason being he will be able to market himself and create
his own brand name seeing as record labels would control this instead – this could help him establish himself as an
artist and would reduce him competing with other big names in his label, the only problem would be him becoming
well known world wide seeing as an independent artist will be mainly known in their own own city, although if
successful in promoting his name he will begin to receive more offers from larger record labels which gives him a
bigger advantage in his music career; this has been proven with Bluey Robinson who is now signed to Sony.
7. If the artist were to continue by himself without deciding to sign a record label he would have a number of
options which would help in marketing and publishing not only his music but himself as an artist.
- SBTV is one of the main sources which he can use to his advantage - SBTV started off as and will always
continue to broadcast video whether for music, freestyle, acoustic, interviews or any other categories within
youth culture. All of the content is hosted on their YouTube channel which boasts millions of views but continues
to grow over time. SBTV also have a large social networking presence in which they use to inform their audience
of new blog articles, relevant news and the life of SBTV.
Alongside SBTV, the main form of publicising himself would be with the use of
Social Networking sites, these are essential to an artist as it is the main source
of where his fan base will be able to interact and keep up with him, these
include mainly Twitter & Instagram which have rapidly become number 1 social
websites worldwide, alongside this there is Facebook, MySpace, YouTube &
soundcloud.
In terms of independent music exposure without the help of labels and other artsts,
artists can use Youtube & SoundCloud.
Youtube has become a main factor in the exposure of an artist and his music – there
have been hundreds of artists which have produced covers and become recognised, a
perfect example of this would be Justin Bieber, he began singing covers and uploading
them on YouTube which resulted in Scooter Braun recognising him and signing him to
RBMG with Usher, he is now a multi millionaire at the age of 20!
Another form of exposing your music is uploading mixtapes and EP’s onto datpiff.com this is a very well
known website which allows the public to download mixtapes and EP’s for free.
