A record label manages brands and trademarks associated with music production and promotion, coordinates the production, distribution and marketing of music recordings, and protects the copyright of sound recordings. Major record labels are large multinational companies that have over 5% of music industry sales, while independent labels are not affiliated with major labels. Recording contracts define the legal agreement where an artist records exclusively for a label in exchange for the label's promotion and sales efforts.

1. What are they?
A record label is a brand and a trademark that is associated with
the marketing of music recording and music videos. A record
label is the company that manages such brands and
trademarks, coordinates the
production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and
promotion. They also enforce the copyright protection of sound
recordings and music videos; they conduct talent scouting and
development of new artists and maintain contracts with
recording artists and their managers.
The term "record label" derives from the circular label in the
center of a vinyl record which prominently displays the
manufacturer's name, along with other information.

2. • A major label is defined as a multinational record label company (operates in multiple countries) with over 5
percent of sales in the music industry (records, music videos etc.)
The current major labels are (biggest > smallest)
- Universal Music Group
- Sony BMG Music Entertainment
- EMI Group
- Warner Music Group
• An independent label ('indie') is simply a record label that does not operate within & is not funded by the
organization of the (above 4) major labels.
• If an artist wants to make millions, they aim for a major label. If they just want their music heard and just want to
do what they love, they aim for an indie label. Indie labels have much more respect because they respect the
artist more and often sign artists that make eccentric/abstract music that wouldn't be heard otherwise.
Major labels often have deals in place with radio and MTV/VH1, album distributors, magazines, and advertisers.
They run the business as a money-making scheme basically. Indie labels usually do most of their stuff on their own
until they start getting bigger and more popular and have the opportunities that major labels have.
• I think my artist would be signed to a major record label so they had a lot of exposure as the music she records
can either be loved or hated. Also because she deals with a variety of genres, by being signed by a major label
would allow her music to reach all different kinds of people so her fan base could grow outside of her original
genre. By being singed to major label your music is more likely to be hear worldwide and can open other
opportunities like acting and becoming a fashion icon, along with touring around the world and collaborating with
other major artists. With this genre of music it would be harder to do so with a independent label simply because
only the people that want to listen will listen.

3. • Young Money Entertainment is an American record label founded by rapper Lil Wayne. Young
Money's president is Lil Wayne's lifelong friend Mack Maine. The label is an imprint of Cash
Money Records and is distributed by Universal Republic Records. Current artists include Lil
Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Maroon 5's tour member PJ Morton, Tyga, Mack Maine, Jae
Millz, Cory Gunz, Lil Twist, Gudda Gudda, Lil Chuckee, Short Dawg, T-Streets, and Shanell aka
SnL. The label has released seven US No. 1 albums: Tha Carter III, Tha Carter IV, and I Am Not
a Human Being by Lil Wayne, Thank Me Later and Take Care by Drake, Pink Friday and Pink
Friday: Roman Reloaded by Nicki Minaj.
• The genre of this record label varies a lot, even though they all rap and originate from the
hip-hop feel, some artists do collaborate with others which switches up the genres. For
example Nicki Minaj released a song called “Starships” and because of the producers the
genre is actually Eurodance and Europop but yet she is signed to an hip-hop label. Many of
the artists within the label have done the same thing.

4. “Recording Contract”
• A recording contract (commonly called a record deal) is a legal agreement between a record
label and a recording artist (or group), where the artist makes a record (or series of records)
for the label to sell and promote. Artists under contract are normally only allowed to record
for that label exclusively; guest appearances on other artists' records will carry a notice "By
courtesy of (the name of the label)", and that label may receive a percentage of sales
“Copyright”
• Copyright is a legal concept, enacted by most governments, giving the creator of an original
work exclusive rights to it, usually for a limited time. Generally, it is "the right to copy", but
also gives the copyright holder the right to be credited for the work, to determine who may
adapt the work to other forms, who may perform the work, who may financially benefit from
it, and other related rights.
• Labels typically own the copyright in the records their artists make, and also the master
copies of those records. An exception is when a label makes a distribution deal with an artist;
in this case, the artist, their manager, or another party may own the copyright (and
masters), while the record is licensed exclusively to the label for a set period of time.
Promotion is a key factor in the success of a record, and is largely the label's responsibility, as
is proper distribution of records.

5. • I have learnt the difference between major and independent record labels. Why
artists choose to sign with major and independent labels. Artists choose to sign
with independent labels if they are focusing on one genre and want their music to
be heard on their own account therefore becoming a huge star make take some
time if only their small fans know about them. Other artists choose to sign with
major labels as they may be involved with recording different styles of music and
by being signed to a major company they have that chance to be completely
exposed to the media through TV, radio and doing World tours with other artists
so their music is heard all over and they fan base and work base is broader.
• I have learnt that when making my own video due to copyright I can not at any
point state that the music is mine. I have to say that it is a cover of an original song
that is not mine. Also when it comes to my digipack if my artist is signed to a major
label I have to include all logos to do with the companies within the record deal.