Research: Structure of Record Labels and Industry

The music industry is separated into two different types of label; mainstream and independent.

Mainstream Labels
Large organisations that have high budgets for each artist they represent giving them the ability to promote and saturate the market with new and existing artists

Independent Labels
Operate independently from mainstream labels. Often represent niche genres and cater to a specific market

The current "big 3" conglomerately owned record companies are:

Universal Music Group recently bought out:

Each major record label contains many subsidiary record companies.

Atlantic Records

Warner Bro. Records Group

Rhino Entertainment

Independent Label

Elektra

Full Surface Records

Maverick

(Aerosmith, Basshunter, B.O.B, Michael Buble, Cher, Lupe Fiasco, Gym Class Heroes, Madonna, Marina and The Diamonds etc.)

Columbia 

C2 Records

Loud Records

Gun Records

Epic

(Chris Brown, Christina Aguilera, Celine Dion, Michael Jackson etc.)

Aktivision Wizard

GBT

Def Jam

Island Records

(Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Florence and The Machine etc.)