I've seen a few people here on the org mention that there are only about four or five record labels left these days. I wouldn't know because I wouldn't be caught with new shit in my collection unless it's Prince or somebody else funky, which is rare these days.

I know there used to be lots of labels such as Warner Brothers, Motown, Epic, Columbia, Solar, Salsoul, Mercury, Total Experience, De-Lite, West End, ARC, Womat, Profile, Select, Pop Art, Tommy Boy, Casablanca, Chocolate City, Atlanta Artists, Atlantic, Malaco, Virgin, MCA, Venture, T.K., RSO, Cotillion, Polydor, Spring, etc.

How many labels are there now, and if there are several, are they all break-offs a major label which is still owned by the major label (example: Paisley Park/Warner Brothers)? If it's true that there are only about four or five left, no wonder music is such bullshit these days.
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[Edited 2/1/07 6:28am]

man aint nobody left...believe it or not..

1 - Warner - Rhino, Ryko, Atlantic, Warner, Sire, etc.
2 - EMI - they're a big one. Some lables under EMI are Capitol, Apple and a whole mess more that I don't know
3 - Universal - Motown, Geffen, MCA, A&M, Island/Def Jam...more that I don't know (I think Mercury falls in here, too)
4 - Sony - Columbia, CBS, Epic, RCA

There are a whole bunch more under each one that I don't know.


spelling edit
[Edited 2/1/07 6:36am]

Wikipedia's breakdown is pretty good. Click on the individual labels for a breakdown of each label.

These two need their ass beat. All those record labels they own now were major labels back in the day and now they have one company controlling all the music.

There's only four major labels? Throw companies like Clear Channel in the mix that own tons of radio stations and it's absolute manipulation of who gets a record deal and who gets airplay. In other words, who becomes a star. There's absolutely no hope of a style change in music.

RipHer2Shreds said:

There's no MCA no more, it merged with Geffen.

Harlepolis said:

Christ.