Research into record labels and UK music video channels that promote R&B music, for my A2 Media Studies Coursework

1. Institutional research
For A2 Media Studies Coursework

2. Recordlabels,
major labels and
minor labels
 Record label – a brand that is associated with the marketing of
music and music videos.
 Major label – ‘major’ status of a record label is determined by
the amount of music sales each year, and they have their own
distribution system.
 Minor – also known as an independent or ‘indie’ label, they
operate on their own, without financial backing from major
labels and their subsidiaries (although a select few do).

3. Examplesof
majorand
minorlabels
 The big three record labels are Warner Music Group, Universal
Music Group and Sony Music/Sony BMG. From these labels,
there are subsidiary labels such as Columbia (Sony), Atlantic
Records & Parlophone (both Warner), and Interscope, Def Jam
and Island (Universal).
 Minor/independent record labels include XL Recordings, Stones
Throw Records, Neon Gold, 3 Beat and Trojan.

4. Labelsof
popularR&B
artists
 Rihanna – Def Jam (former), Roc Nation
 Beyoncé – Columbia, Sony Music/Sony BMG, Parkwood
Entertainment
 Chris Brown – RCA, Jive (former)
 Jason Derulo – Atlantic/Warner/Asylum, Beluga Heights
 The Weeknd – Republic/XO

5. DefJam
Recordings
 Established in 1983-84 by Rick Rubin and Russell Simons n New
York City, USA
 Owned by Universal Music Group internationally
 Also known as Def Jam UK and operates through Virgin EMI
Records in this country
 Various genres of music released, though their main focus is
urban and hip hop music
 Signed R&B acts include: Leona Lewis, Teyana Taylor, Alessia
Cara.

6. RocNation
Records
 Part of entertainment company Roc Nation
 Established by hip hop artist Jay-Z in 2008
 Music has been distributed by Universal Music Distribution since 2013 –
previously, Sony Music had distribution rights from 2009 to 2013
 Signed R&B artists include: Rihanna, J Cole, Nick Jonas, Emeli Sandé
(management).
 These artists would be known amongst young people and children, my focus
group – one of the respondents to my questionnaire chose J Cole as the ‘other’
R&B artist that they knew of and favoured, while half of all those surveyed chose
Rihanna as one of the artists that they were familiar with, making her the most
well known artist in the survey. 19 of the respondents chose Rihanna as their
favourite (or one of their favourite) artists of the genre. This is the label that I will
choose to back my album, as the mentioned artists that record with it are familiar
amongst children and young people, including those not mentioned on the forms .
 In addition, the likes of Rihanna and Emeli Sandé have been successful artists; the
former is one of the best-selling artists of all time and has sold over 230 million
records internationally, while the latter has won three BRIT Awards and her album
‘Our Version of Events’, was the #1 best-selling album in the UK, having sold over a
million copies.

7. AtlanticRecords
 Established in October 1947 by Turk Ahmet Ertegun and
American Herbert Abramson
 Subsidiary of the Warner Music Group
 Initially, the label specialised in jazz and soul – today, they
release music of a variety of genres, including pop and R&B
 Signed R&B artists include: Charlie Puth, Jason Derulo, Janelle
Monáe, Jess Glynne, Rita Ora. Derulo was amongst the R&B
artists selected on my questionnaire regarding known and
favourite artists – nine of the 30 respondents said they knew of
him, while just two chose him as their favourite artist of the
genre. Despite not being mentioned on the survey, I would
expect the other artists to be listened to by my focus group of
11-18 year olds.

8. Musicchannel
research– The
Box
 Launched in 1992
 Videos played include pop, R&B, hip hop, dance and grime.
 Part of The Box Plus Network
 General programming includes HYPE (which showcases the
latest music videos from the genres mentioned above),
Hangouts (interviews with popular artists, whose latest singles
and most popular releases are played) and UK Hotlist Top 20 &
40, which counts down Spotify’s most streamed songs of the
last week – many young people use this service as a way of
listening to music frequently; 10 of the 30 students surveyed
said that they listened to R&B music at least once a month,
while 12 of the 23 females chose the ‘at least three times a
week’ option.

9. Musicchannel
research –MTV
MusicUKand
Ireland
 A non-stop music video channel that is a spin-off from the cable
music channel MTV.
 Launched in February 2011 as a replacement for MTV Shows
and because the main MTV UK and Ireland channel showed
more reality programming and drama than music videos.
 Targeted at teenagers, young people and adults aged between
12-34 years, which partly includes my main target audience of
11-18 year olds.
 Current shows include: Official Audio Streaming Chart, Official
Top 20 Download Chart, Hot Hits & Fresh Beats (features the
newest tracks) and MTV Live (live performances from artist and
bands/vocal groups).

10. Musicchannel
research–
4Music
 Launched on 15 August 2008 as a replacement for The Hits,
which was active from 2002 until 2008.
 Part of the Box Plus Network, which includes channels such as
Kiss, Heat, Magic and The Box.
 Aimed at the 16-34 age range, which includes the upper range
of my 11-18 age range.
 Mostly plays pop music, although it also plays videos of genres
such as R&B and dance, for example.
 Current programming includes: Trending Live, UK Hotlist (shows
Spotify’s most streamed tracks), UK Music Video Chart,
Vote4Music (songs can be voted for out of a selection of 30 by
tweeting the relevant hashtag).

11. Musicchannel
research- Kiss
 Launched in 1998 from the radio station Kiss FM
 Both the TV channel and radio station appeal to a wide range of
ages and audiences, although they are most popular amongst
15-34 year olds, which includes roughly the upper half of my
11-18 year old demographic.
 Specialises in urban, R&B, hip hop and dance music
 Current programming includes HYPE (which showcases the
latest music videos from the genres mentioned above) and UK
Hotlist: Urban (their urban chart show).