The document summarizes the top 4 major record labels in 2005: Sony BMG was the second biggest with 21.5% of the market and labels like Columbia and Jive. Universal Music Group was the largest with 25.5% of the market and labels including Interscope, Island, and Motown. EMI was the third largest with 13.4% of the market and labels such as Capitol, Virgin, and Astralwerks. Warner Music Group was the fourth largest with 11.3% of the market and labels like Atlantic, Reprise, and Warner Bros.

1. Top 4 Record Labels
Resources: http://top40.about.com/od/popmusic101/tp/majorlabels.htm
 Sony BMG
Sony BMG Music Entertainment is the second biggest major record label in music sales.
They accounted for 21.5% of the market in 2005. The company's well-known label
project include Arista, Columbia, Epic, J, Jive, and RCA. Key artists are:
 Kelly Clarkson
 Alicia Keys
 Outkast
 Shakira
 Britney Spears
 Universal Music Group
The Universal Music Group sells more music than any other major label. They accounted
for 25.5% of the market in 2005, according to IFPI. The group's well-known label
project include Geffen, Interscope, Island, Motown, and Universal. Key artists are:
 Black Eyed Peas
 Mariah Carey
 50 Cent
 Gwen Stefani
 Kanye West
 EMI
The EMI Group is the third biggest major record label in music sales. They accounted
for 13.4% of the market in 2005. The group's well-known label projects include
Astralwerks, Capitol, EMI, Mute, and Virgin. Key artists are:
 The Beatles
 Coldplay
 Gorillaz
 Rolling Stones
 Robbie Williams
 Warner Music Group

2. The Warner Music Group is the fourth major record label in music sales. They
accounted for 11.3% of the market in 2005. The group's well-known label imprints
include Asylum, Atlantic, Lava, Reprise, Rhino, and Warner Bros. Key artists are:
 Green Day
 Madonna
 Alanis Morissette
 My Chemical Romance
 Rob Thomas