Most all of the record labels you know are owned by three major parent corporations: SONY, Universal Music Group (UMG), and Warner Music Group (WMG). Even Sub Pop, the once-famous Seattle independent label, is now owned by WMG. The only pseudo-famous label not on here is K Records, which became famous around the same time as Sub Pop for releasing off-beat alternative music in the ’90s. But for most everyone else, it’s just a question of which corporation you have pulling the strings. Tell me again how there’s no monopoly in the music industry.
SONY (in blue):
- SONY/ATV
- RCA
- Epic
- Columbia
Universal Music Group (in green):
- EMI
- Virgin (owned by EMI)
- Island
- Motown
- Def Jam
- Republic
- MCA
- Capitol
- Geffen
- Interscope
Warner Music Group (in red):
- Reprise
- Atlantic
- Elektra (owned by Atlantic)
- Roadrunner (owned by Atlantic)
- Atco (owned by Atlantic)
- Sub Pop
- Fueled by Ramen
- Parlophone
Originally published at adammarxsmind.wordpress.com on March 23, 2015.
