Sony Music Entertainment is a large American music corporation owned by Sony Corporation of America that was founded in 1929 and is now the second largest music company in the world. XL Recordings is a smaller independent British record label founded in 1989 that is known for releasing albums from artists like Adele, Dizzee Rascal, and Radiohead. While Sony Music Entertainment has more recognition due to its large size and popular artists, an independent label like XL Recordings may provide more individual attention to help an artist create an amazing album.

1. Conglomerates vsConglomerates vs
IndependentsIndependents

2. Sony MusicSony Music
EntertainmentEntertainment
Is an American music corporation owned andIs an American music corporation owned and
operated by Sony Corporation of Americaoperated by Sony Corporation of America
In 1929 the company was founded as AmericanIn 1929 the company was founded as American
Record Corporation (ARC)Record Corporation (ARC)
It wasn’t until 1991 it was finally called SNEIt wasn’t until 1991 it was finally called SNE
however it is now the world’s second largesthowever it is now the world’s second largest
music company.music company.
Chairman and CEO: Doug MorrisChairman and CEO: Doug Morris
Genre: EclecticGenre: Eclectic

3. The HistoryThe History
1929-38: First established as American Record1929-38: First established as American Record
CorporationCorporation
1938-87: Renamed Columbia/CBS Records1938-87: Renamed Columbia/CBS Records
1987-91: Bought by SCA1987-91: Bought by SCA
1991–2004: Birth of Sony Music Entertainment1991–2004: Birth of Sony Music Entertainment
2004–08: Sony BMG: merged with2004–08: Sony BMG: merged with
BertelsmannBertelsmann
2008–11: Return to Sony Music Entertainment2008–11: Return to Sony Music Entertainment

4. Case Study: SiaCase Study: Sia
Is an Australian pop, jazz and downtempoIs an Australian pop, jazz and downtempo
singer/songwriter.singer/songwriter.
Aged 38Aged 38
In 2000, her single "Taken for Granted" was aIn 2000, her single "Taken for Granted" was a
top 10 hit in the United Kingdomtop 10 hit in the United Kingdom
Known for: Titanium, Wild Ones, Diamonds, SheKnown for: Titanium, Wild Ones, Diamonds, She
WolfWolf

5. XL RecordingsXL Recordings
Is a British independent record label owned byIs a British independent record label owned by
Richard RussellRichard Russell
It originated as a 1989 offshoot of BeggarsIt originated as a 1989 offshoot of Beggars
Banquet Records and is part of theBanquet Records and is part of the
Beggars GroupBeggars Group of labels.of labels.
Only release an average of 6 albums a year butOnly release an average of 6 albums a year but
have worked with artists such as: Adele, Dizzeehave worked with artists such as: Adele, Dizzee
Rascall and RadioheadRascall and Radiohead

6. HistoryHistory
The label was launched in 1989 to releaseThe label was launched in 1989 to release raverave andand dance musicdance music..
During the early nineties, XL Recordings releases were dance oriented rangingDuring the early nineties, XL Recordings releases were dance oriented ranging
from Belgiumfrom Belgium technotechno toto breakbeat hardcorebreakbeat hardcore toto drum and bassdrum and bass. This period of. This period of
XL's history has been recorded on theXL's history has been recorded on the XL Recordings ChaptersXL Recordings Chapters compilationcompilation
series.series.
1993: Palmer retired Russell took over the running of the business.1993: Palmer retired Russell took over the running of the business.
In 1994 the label releasedIn 1994 the label released The ProdigyThe Prodigy's second album,'s second album,
Music for the Jilted GenerationMusic for the Jilted Generation which debuted in thewhich debuted in the UK Albums ChartUK Albums Chart atat
number one, and in 1997 it released the third album by The Prodigy,number one, and in 1997 it released the third album by The Prodigy,
The Fat of the LandThe Fat of the Land which entered the British and American charts at numberwhich entered the British and American charts at number
one and went on to be number one in 26 countries.one and went on to be number one in 26 countries.
As of 2014, XL Recordings is home to a massive range of artistsAs of 2014, XL Recordings is home to a massive range of artists

7. Case Study: AdeleCase Study: Adele
She is an English singer-songwriter.She is an English singer-songwriter.
Adele was offered a recording contract fromAdele was offered a recording contract from XL RecordingsXL Recordings after aafter a
friend posted her demo onfriend posted her demo on MyspaceMyspace in 2006in 2006
Adele released her second studio album,Adele released her second studio album, 2121, in early 2011., in early 2011.
With her two albums and the first two singles from 21, "With her two albums and the first two singles from 21, "
Rolling in the DeepRolling in the Deep" and "Someone Like You", she became the first" and "Someone Like You", she became the first
living artist to achieve the feat of having two top-five hits in both theliving artist to achieve the feat of having two top-five hits in both the
UK Official Singles ChartUK Official Singles Chart
The album has been certified 16 times platinum in the UKThe album has been certified 16 times platinum in the UK
The album has sold 30 million copies worldwide.The album has sold 30 million copies worldwide.

8. ComparisonComparison
Although SME are the much larger companyAlthough SME are the much larger company
with a higher recognition for music than XLwith a higher recognition for music than XL
Records, the fact that they have a numerousRecords, the fact that they have a numerous
amount of popular artists makes me feel that asamount of popular artists makes me feel that as
an artist I wouldn’t get as much attention as Ian artist I wouldn’t get as much attention as I
would need to create an amazing album.would need to create an amazing album.
I would definitely choose an independent musicI would definitely choose an independent music
company, even if it took me longer to get mycompany, even if it took me longer to get my
name recognised.name recognised.