Record companies scout, develop, manage, and promote artists. They produce and distribute records, and protect copyrights. The major record labels, known as the "Big 3" of Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group, control over 80% of the global music market. Independent labels operate without major label funding and often release non-mainstream music, giving artists more freedom.

1. Record companies are media institutions and are commercial organisations that make money
What they do:
• Talent scouting
• Development of new artists
• Manage bands and artists
• Production, manufacturing and distribution of records
• Marketing and promotion e.g. music videos
• Copyright protection
These artists have been found and have got to topping the music charts because of their record
label such as :

2. Big 3 – since 2012
Universal Music Group
Sony Music Entertainment
Warner Music Group
• Record labels under control by a company called a ‘music group’
• Usually owned by a conglomerate that also has non music divisions
• A music group controls – music publishing companies, recording,
manufacturers, record distributors and record labels
• The big three control over 80% of the music market worldwide and
70% in the USA market
• They all own or have a joint share in many other larger record labels

3. • A smaller record label that operates without the funding of the big
three
• Usually release non mainstream music
• Many big artists begin their careers on minor labels
• Gives more artistic freedom and control to the artist
UK INDEPENDENT RECORD LABELS
• LAB Records
• 4AD
• Glassnote Records
• Mute Records
They are many more…
Ariel
Pink
Mumford and Sons