| Have you ever thought how important music has | | | | entertainment. They make up the five major record |
| become for us? I cannot remember a day when I | | | | labels. They deal with millions of artists, videos and |
| didn't hear any music at all. I love the stuff. You | | | | movies. In case you would like to work in the music |
| might have a collection of CDs, or albums, or you | | | | industries you should turn to any of the big five |
| simply turn on the radio while commuting to work. | | | | record labels. |
| Have you ever considered how the music gets to | | | | Are you looking at your CD covers to find |
| you and who makes the decision about what music | | | | information about the record labels? In case you see |
| gets played? Maybe you have wondered why only | | | | a name different than one of the big five, dont |
| certain artists get played and have their music sold in | | | | worry. Your CD is not necessarily duplicated. |
| major retail stores. Have you thought about what | | | | It is more likely that you have purchased a CD from |
| trends are going to take over music next? I suppose | | | | one of the major record labels subsidiary companies. |
| you will find the answer to all your questions in major | | | | They all own subsidiary companies. |
| record labels. | | | | For instance, do you remember the once great |
| When you love or hate an artist is it because you like | | | | Motown record label? Now it is a subsidiary of |
| or dislike their record label? The major record labels | | | | Universal Music Group, while Capital Records is a |
| take on new artists and promote their music, they | | | | member of EMIs subsidiaries. There are hundreds of |
| might also assist other companies in planning tour | | | | other companies, too. |
| promotions and other public events. | | | | What we listen today is mainly determined by the |
| Generally a recording company takes on an artist for | | | | major music labels. But I suppose you dont really care |
| a certain period of time or a certain number of | | | | about the big fine when you are enjoying this new |
| recordings. Take a look at your CD and DVD | | | | hip hop hit or singing along number one country song. |
| collection. Do you see that nearly 90 % of them | | | | What is undoubtedly true is that with the help of |
| come from one of the five major record labels? | | | | major record labels music plays a large part in our |
| The big five are Universal Music Group, Sony Music | | | | lives. |
| Entertainment, EMI Group, Warner Brothers and BMG | | | | |