The
Big Five record labels are:
- Universal Music Group (includes A&M, Decca, Deutsche Grammophon, Island, MCA, Motown, Polydor, and others)
- Sony Music Entertainment (includes Columbia, Epic, and others)
- EMI Group (includes Angel, Blue Note, Capitol, Odeon, Parlophone, Virgin, and others)
- Warner Brothers Music (includes Atlantic, Elektra, London, Reprise, Rhino, and others)
- BMG Entertainment (includes Arista, RCA, and others)
These are global giants in the music and entertainment industry, who as of 2003 control 70-80% of the worldwide music output. They have bought, merged, absorbed, or operated many of the labels listed below.
Current and historic record labels listed alphabetically: