1. Tomas McLoughlin

2. What is a record label?
• The record label of a music artist is responsible
for the production, marketing, manufacture
and distribution of both recordings and music
videos. Record labels also protect the artist
from copyright infringements. Without record
labels, artists would find it much harder to
promote their music on the radio and online.

3. Independent and Major Record labels
• There are two types of record labels. Independent record
labels are smaller organisations who work with
underground and local artists. Those who join independent
record labels tend to focus on a single genre.
• Major record labels, however, work on a much wider basis.
They are usually under control from what’s known as a
music group, a sub-organisation owned by a global
conglomerates. These conglomerates often branch into
various other sections of the media. For instance Warner
Bros. Entertainment divides into Warner Bros. Music, Film
and Television. Inevitbaly these record labels have huge
funding, which enables artists music to be easily promoted.

4. What my artist is suited to..
• I believe MC LOCKLIN is more suited to a major record label than an
independent one. The lyrics in his songs aren't like all other rappers, boasting
about bling and cars etc. The lyrics are both realistic and relatable. His genre
is alternative Hip-Hop, which brings something both unique yet conventional.
• His genre is alternative Hip-Hop, which brings something both unique yet
conventional. Hip-Hop is a very popular genre which will not die down
anytime soon, so labels will reap the rewards from funding my artist. MC
LOCKLIN makes for a refreshing change to the stereotypical hip-hop
artist, and for this reason I think he will do well. Hip-Hop is the type of music
which, under controls of independent labels, unless you search for the music
yourself you wont hear it. Therefore the fan base will be restricted to those
who are already Hip-Hop fans. In contrast, major record labels promote their
music so that all fan bases can listen to it, for instance on Radio 1. My artist is
a versatile and unique, therefore approaching an independent label and
focusing on one single genre wouldn't maximise my artists potential audience
base. A major record label on the other hand allows for huge media
exposure which will allow much wider audiences to listen to my music.

5. • Having researched various major
record labels, DefJam recordings
appears to be a suitable studio for
MC LOCKLIN. DefJam recordings
specialize with urban artists, so I
think they would understand my
artist and how to work with him.
DefJam was founded by Rick Rubin
in 1983. It has since evolved into
one of the biggest urban recording
labels in the music industry. DefJam
has a great reputation for producing
successful songs and has many
famous artists to its name, both
current and former. DefJam
Current artists include: Amber Rose, recordings are owned by Universal
Rihanna, Frank Ocean, Jay-Z, Big Music Group and are distributed by
Sean, Ludacris, LL Cool J, Ne-Yo, mercury recordings and Island
D'Banj, Kanye West and Rick Ross
DefJam Music Group.

6. What is Copyright and how are record labels
responsible for this?
• Copyright is the exclusive right of protection for a creator of
''original work.'' The copyright holder is credited with the
original piece of work and holds permission over who
adapts it and who financially benefits from it. The Copyright
act is a legal act and is automatic, so there is no need to
register for it, but it is important that an artist or band
claims copyright by using the copyright symbol.
• Record labels tend to hold the copyright for artists songs.
This means they own the songs and permission lies with
them, hence the term ''all rights reserved'', commonly seen
on the back of album cases.

7. From this task I have learnt…
• Exactly what record labels do
• The difference between independent and global record
labels
• Why some artists choose major record labels and why
some choose independent ones.
• That in the making of my music video I cannot state that
the song is mine and must acknowledge that it is a cover
• I cannot simply copy ideas and themes from the original
video
• I must use the appropriate logos which are associated
with the original artist Kid Cudi (i.e. logo of record
label, distributor)
Tomas McLoughlin ©