Record Labels

There are many Major record labels in the UK. One of the biggest UK record labels are Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music, EMI and Warner Music and these can be classed as oligopoly of the music industry. Below is the list of artist that are signed with major record labels mentioned above.

• Sony Music Entertainment - Shakira, Christina Aguilera
• Universal Music Group - Will.I.Am, Drake
• EMI - Conor Maynard, Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Warner Music - Green Day, Michael Buble

These record labels have smaller companies that are known as subsidiary. These subsidiaries allows record labels to categorize their music into different music types.

Sony
Epic Records - Ozzy Osbourne
Columbia Records - Aerosmith
RCA Records - Chris Brown
Universal:
Def Jam - Jay Z
Universal Records - Lil Wayne

 EMI:
Blue Note Label Group - Paul McCartney
Capitol Music Group - Katy Perry
Virgin Record Group -  Genesis
Warner Music:
Asylum Records - Ed Sheeran
Maybach Music - Rick Ross

• These major record labels have links with other forms of media such as TV and film. For example Warner Brothers are popular for  their contribution in TV and Film.They have produced the most successful TV show called 'Looney Toons'. They also have the most popular film series 'Harry Potter'.Sony music entertainment is part of sony Corporation that have created different platforms such as TV, Film , laptops , tools etc.  

• Moreover, Universal has the biggest market share through film and television and since Universal purchased EMI they have increased the market share as EMI have links with different means of media.

Independents Labels

• One of the independent record label is in Manchester called 'Finder keepers'. There main income is through niche markets. The sell obscure music from different and rather strange genres. They produce these on vinyl rather than cds and online downloads. They do have subsidiary such as 'Twisted Nerve' that promotes local rock bands in Manchester.

•  There is another independent label that is Aardvark Records which is rather small.  record label that is based in Cornwall. These labels promote more upbeat music such as 'Trance', 'House' and 'Dubstep'. They focus more on the music then the 'profit'.  They have been introduced as 'fairtrade' music. Below are some of the artists that are signed to Aardvark records : - 
• Clubfire
• Addicted Graze
• Firedance

According to me independent labels are more successful then major labels as they are branding artists to their mainstream audience. These audiences accept anything they produce. As compared to independent labels that allow unknown artists a platform where they can present their music. This has allowed them to come up with different styles of music and has allowed artists to be innovative rather than following the basic conventions of a specific genre. Major record labels are stuck with the same genre and the same style of music as compared to independent labels.

Independent labels offer more to the audience as compared to major labels. This is because major labels main focus to make profit. Independent labels offer vast talent and music styles compared to major labels. Through independent labels one has been able to look at new types of music styles. Independent labels gives more opportunities to artists as they can be different. However major labels influence the artists often and this sometimes drives artists to start their own record label such as 'Shady records' by Eminem.