The music industry is dominated by three major record labels that control roughly 70% of the global music market. These companies, known as "The Big Three," are Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group.

Universal Music Group (UMG) is the largest of the three, commanding approximately 32% of the global market share. Based in Santa Monica, California, UMG owns prestigious labels like Republic Records, Interscope Records, and Capitol Records. Some of their most notable artists include Taylor Swift, Drake, and The Beatles.

Sony Music Entertainment ranks second, holding about 22% of the market share. Headquartered in New York City, Sony Music operates through various subsidiaries including Columbia Records, RCA Records, and Epic Records. They represent major artists such as Beyoncé, Harry Styles, and Adele.

Warner Music Group comes in third with roughly 16% of the market share. Operating from Los Angeles, Warner's key labels include Atlantic Records, Warner Records, and Elektra Records. Their roster features prominent artists like Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, and Cardi B.

These major labels provide crucial services to artists including:

Recording and production
Marketing and promotion
Distribution (both physical and digital)
Radio promotion
Tour support
Legal services
Copyright management

Independent labels make up the remaining 30% of the market. While smaller, they often offer artists more creative freedom and better revenue splits, though with typically smaller budgets and more limited resources.

Each major label also owns numerous subsidiary labels, known as imprints, which focus on specific genres or market segments. This structure allows them to maintain specialized teams while leveraging their parent company's vast resources and distribution networks.

The digital revolution has challenged traditional label dominance, but these three companies have successfully adapted by embracing streaming platforms and digital distribution, maintaining their position as the music industry's most powerful entities.

I've focused on providing current, accurate information about the major record labels while keeping the content concise and valuable for readers seeking to understand the music industry's primary players.

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