The document discusses the major record labels in the music industry over time. It describes how there were originally six major labels ("the big 6") between 1988-1999, which consolidated to five labels ("the big 5") from 1999-2004, then four labels ("the big 4") from 2004-2012, and finally three labels ("the big 3") from 2012 onward. The three current major labels are Warner Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Universal Music Group. The document also evaluates these three labels for potentially signing a music duo, ultimately selecting Universal Music Group and its Virgin Emi Records label.

1. MUSIC INSTITUTIONS
A record label is a company that is associated with the marketization of artists, which includes album, singles
and various tour dates etc. The record label is a media institution that search for a variety of new artists from
different genres and aim to manufacture and publish the products that these new artists create. They sign on
managers and their artists and hold copyright for all products that are created. They are the ones that seek for
profit in the distribution of an artist’s album or new single.

2. The major record labels over the years part I
 The music industry is extremely competitive, and although the artists aim to create the music they enjoy,
the institutions that they are signed to, use their artists to compete to be the best in the industry. In my
research the one thing that I have learnt is that often artists aim for critical success and the music industry
behind the artist aim for commercial success. Therefore, there has been a decline in the major record labels
and currently there are only 3 which are known as “The Big 3.”
 From 1988-1999 the major record labels were known as “the big 6” and they were:
1) Warner Music Group
2) EMI
3) Sony (known as CBS Records until January 1991 then known as Sony Music thereafter)
4) BMG
5) Universal Music Group
6) PolyGram

3.  From 1999-2004 the major record labels
became “the big 5” which were:
1. Warner Music Group
2. EMI
3. Sony
4. BMG
5. Universal Music Group (PolyGram was
bought by UMG)
The major record labels over the years part II
• From 2004 – 2012 the major record labels remained “the big
4”
1. Warner Music Group
2. EMI
3. Sony (also known as Sony BMG up until 2008 when they
bought over BMG)
4. Universal Music Group
• From 2012 – present there are now only 3 major record
labels:
1. Warner Music Group
2. Sony Music Entertainment
3. Universal Music Group
EMI was distributed to all three major record labels over the
years, however, it was mainly sold to UMG.

4. DISCUSSING THE MAJOR RECORD LABELS
Evaluating the major record labels that we are interested in and seeing which one is most applicable to
our duo.

5. UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP
Universal Music Group is a worldwide music company that is well known globally for its role in the music industry.
They are number one in the world, and an American based company with its headquarters in Santa Monica, California,
United States. As a music company they are closely linked to the film studio company Universal pictures, however,
they separated and since then the music institution has constantly began to increase its company. The record label as
it is now was formed by Seagram and Polygram which combined created UMG, then it expanded with the merge to
EMI.
Examples of record labels owned by this company: Artists signed to this music group are:

6. SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Sony Music Entertainment is an American based music institution similar, to UMG, however it is owned by the
Japanese conglomerate Sony Cooperation. Sony Music Entertainment has had a variety of changes over the years,
and with this came a variety of different names. From 1929 – 1938 it was known as American Record Cooperation
and from 1938 – 1990 they were known as Columbia Records, then after that came the birth of Sony. They are a
record label that greatly strive for commercial success and want to be the number one music industry in the world.
Examples of record labels owned by this company are:
Artists signed to this music group are:

7. WARNER MUSIC GROUP
“Warner Bros. Records is one of the most successful recording companies in music history and home to some of
the most influential and innovative artists of our time. Its reputation and extraordinary roster of new and
established recording artists is unparalleled, and its collective influence on pop culture is without precedent. With
a visionary approach toward discovering and nurturing musical talent, the Warner Bros. Records family of labels is
currently home to an impressive generation of major artists.”
-Warner Bros. Records
Warner Music Group are the third largest music institution in this industry, however, the largest American owned
cooperation.
Examples of record labels owned by this institution:
Artists signed to this record label:

8. The music institution that our artists will be signed
to…
We have chosen to have our artists signed to Universal Music Group, as they are
the number one industry in the world, and having our artists signed to this
institution means there is great potential for them to be given full support in
ensuring that their music is heard on a global scale, and reaching a variety of
audiences.
Although, UMG is originally an American based company, I was attracted to one
of the record labels they own which is Virgin Emi Records. VER are a new British
record label that were founded in March 2013. They were formed by combining
Virgin Records and Mercury Records UK, and this record label is constantly in
search of new different and unique artists, which is what we hope our band to be.
They are a British band and this is a British Record label in search of organic
talent, from artists such as the ones we have created.