This document discusses the history and structure of major music record labels from 1988 to present. It notes that from 1988-1999 there were six major labels known as the Big Six, which consolidated to the Big Five from 1999-2004, the Big Four from 2004-2008 and 2012, and the Big Three since 2012. It explains that record labels are often owned by larger holding companies which also control music publishing, manufacturing, distribution and other aspects of the music industry. Major labels currently control about 70% of the global music market and 80% of the US market.

1. Music Record Labels
Major labels 1988–1999 (BigSix)
 Warner Music Group
 EMI
 Sony (known as CBS Records until January 1991 then known as Sony Music thereafter)
 BMG Universal Music Group
 PolyGram

Major labels 1999–2004 (BigFive)
 Warner Music Group
 EMI
 Sony
 BMG
 Universal Music Group (PolyGramabsorbed into UMG)
Major labels 2004–2008 (BigFour)
 Universal Music Group
 Sony BMG (Sony and BMG joint-venture)
 Warner Music Group
 EMI
Major labels 2008–2012 (BigFour)
 Universal Music Group
 Sony Music Entertainment (BMG absorbed into Sony)
 Warner Music Group
 EMI
Major labels since2012 (BigThree)
 Universal Music Group (partof EMI's recorded music division absorbed into UMG)
 Sony Music Entertainment (EMI Music Publishingabsorbed into Sony/ATV Music Publishing)
 Warner Music Group (EMI's Parlophoneand EMI/Virgin Classicslabelsabsorbed into WMG on 1 July
2013
HoldingCompanies:
Record labels areoften under the control of a corporate umbrella organization called a "music group". A music
group is typically owned by an international conglomerate"holdingcompany", which often has non-music
divisions aswell.A music group controls and consists of music publishingcompanies, record (sound recording)
manufacturers,record distributors,and record labels.As of 2007,the "big four" music groups control about
70% of the world music market, and about 80% of the United States music market. Record companies
(manufacturers,distributors,and labels) may also comprisea "record group" which is,in turn, controlled by a
music group. The constituent companies in a music group or record group are sometimes marketed as being
"divisions"of the group.

2. Rap Record Label:
The Ruff Ryders featured hardcorerap acts to help bringthe attention back to New York
hip-hop duringthe late ’90s.Founded by brothers, Darrin ‘Dee’ Dean and Joaquin “Waah”
Dean, the Ruff Ryder’s started by managingDMX and The L.O.X. The Deans, uncles of
Swizz Beatz, eventually signed a distribution deal with InterscopeRecords.With Swizz on
production,the label released successful projects by Eve, Jadakiss and TheL.O.X.
However, the label hasn’treleased a hitin years and most of the top artists havemoved
on to other labels.
Sothern Hip- Hop Record Label:
In the early ’90s,most Southern rap artists were shut out of major label deals.As a result,many independent
labels were formed to distributesouthern hip-hop. In 1990,Tony Draper created Suave House Records and
signed Memphis duo, 8 Ball & MJG. The duo released the classic albumComingOut Hard in 1993 and followed
with four other solid albums.With the help of producers,T-Mixx and 8 Ball & MJG, the Suave House sound of
usingsoul samples pre-dated Kanye West’s production styleby 10 years.Other artists on SuaveHouse who
gained prominence in the South includeTela,South Circleand CrimeBoss. But in the early ‘2000s,8 Ball & MJG
left the label due to mis-management of funds by Draper. The label has never regained the status itenjoyed
duringthe ’90s.
Pop Record Label:
Capitol Records has signed pop artists such as Katy Perry all theway to Miley Cyrus and the likes of Adele.
Although not specializingin this genre,Capitol Records takes a keen interest in pop music videos (sinceitis
one of today’s most popular genres).