Related Illy Rap Info

The resurgence of independent labels
In the 1990s, due to the widespread use of home studios, consumer CD recorders, and the Internet,
independent labels began to become more commonplace. Independent labels are typically
artist-owned (although not always), with a focus usually on making good music and not necessarily on
the business aspects of the industry or making lots of money. Because of this, independent artists
usually receive less radio play and sell fewer CDs than artists signed to major labels. However, they
usually have more control over the music and packaging of the released product.

On occasion established artists, once their record contract has finished, move to an independent label.
This often gives the combined advantage of name recognition and more control over one's music.
Singers Dolly Parton, Aimee Mann and Prince, among others, have achieved this.

While there are many independent labels, folk singer Ani DiFranco's Righteous Babe Records is often
cited as an ideal example. The singer turned down lucrative contracts from several top-name labels in
order to establish her own New-York-based company. Constant touring resulted in noteworthy success
for an act without significant major funding. Ani and others from the company have spoken on several
occasions about their business model in hopes of encouraging others.

Some independent labels become successful enough that major record companies negotiate contracts
to either distribute music for the label or in some cases, purchase the label completely.

On the punk rock scene, the DIY punk ethic encourages bands to self-publish and self-distribute. This
approach has been around since the early 1980s, in an attempt to stay true to the punk ideals of doing it
yourself and not selling out to corporate profits and control. Such labels have a reputation for being
fiercely uncompromising and especially unwilling to cooperate with the Big Four record labels at all.

The emergence of net & digital labels

With the Internet now being a viable source for obtaining music, we see the emergence of net labels.
Depending on the ideals of the net label, music files from the artists may be downloaded free of charge
or for a fee that is paid via paypal or an online payment system. Some of these labels also offer hard
copy CDs in addition to direct download (for example, Baltimore's Schismatik record label ships CDs for
a nominal charge). Most net labels acknowledge the Creative Commons licensing system thus
reserving certain rights for the artist. Digital Labels are the latest version of a 'net' label. As where 'net'
labels were started as a free site or just a hobby point, digital labels seek to give the major record
industry a real run for thier money. One of the pioneers of the major digital label is Fiberlineaudio.

The emergence of open-source labels

The new century brings the phenomenon of open-source or open-content record label. These are
inspired by the free software and open-source movement and the success of GNU/Linux.

Examples are:

LOCA Records
Magnatune
Opsound