The document discusses several major record labels including Def Jam Records, founded in 1980 and now owned by Universal Music Group; Universal Records, founded in 1995 and formed through a merger with Motown and Republic records; Island Records, founded in Jamaica in 1959 and now owned by Universal Music Group; RCA Records, originally founded as Victor Talking Machine Company and now a flagship label of Sony Entertainment; Columbia Records, founded in 1888 and now owned by Sony Entertainment; Atlantic Records, founded in 1947 known for rock and roll, jazz and R&B; Jive Records, founded in 1981 known for hip hop in the 1980s and pop and boy bands in the 1990s; and Motown Records, founded in Detroit in the 1960s

1. Record Label Research

2. Def Jam Records An American Hip Hop based Label Founded in 1980 Owned by Universal Music Group Today Founded by Jay Z Artists signed to the label include: Rhianna, Ne-Yo, 112, Dru Hill

3. Universal Records Founded in 1995 as Rising Tide Records Began signing acts such as Erykah Badu and Lost Boyz. More recent acts include Nelly, Lil Wayne and Mica Universal joined forces with Motown and Republic records to form Universal Motown Republic Music Group.

4. Island Records Founded in Jamaica in 1959 by Chris Blackwell and GreameGoodall In July 1989, Blackwell sold Island Records and Island Music to PolyGram UK Group for £272 million Now owned by Universal Music Group Artists signed include: TinchyStryder, Sugababes, Lionel Richie, Amy Winehouse

5. RCA Records Originally named Vicor Talking Machine Company One of the flagship labels of Sony Entertainment Releases music of the Pop, country and Rock genres. Signs acts such as: ABBA, Dido, Diana Vickers, Kings of Leon, Ke$ha

6. Columbia Records Founded in America in 1888 Today is owned by Sony Entertainment A subsidiary label of Sony Merged with Epic Label (Columbia/Epic Label Group) Artists include: Beyonce, Susan Boyle, Glee Cast and J.Cole

7. Atlantic Records Founded in 1947 Best known for its recordings of Rock and Rollm, Jazz and RnB Artists signed include: Cassie, Tracy Chapman, Lupe Fiasco and The Streets

8. Jive Records Founded in 1981. In the 1980s Jive was known for its Hip Hop a and Rap music. That changed in the 1990s to Pop Music and Boy Bands such as Backstreet Boys, although RnB and Hip Hop acts including Aaliyah and A Tribe Called Quest were still being worked with. In 1991 Barry Weiss became CEO and President of Jive Records

9. Motown Records Founded by Berry Gordy Jr. in Detroit in the 1960s Most famous for is releases in the genres of Pop, Soul, Hip Hop and RnB Motown was merged with Universal Records making it Universal Motown Acts singed include: India.Arie, Damien Marley, Nick Cannon and Kem