56-512: Obese Records was a record label that released music from the Australian hip hop genre. It was the largest Australian independent hip hop label, including performers Pegz , Hilltop Hoods , Thundamentals , Reason , Andy Struksha, and Dialectrix . Obese Records also operated two retail stores in Melbourne , a record distribution company, a soul imprint named Plethora Records , and operated
112-538: A "record group" which is, in turn, controlled by a music group. The constituent companies in a music group or record group are sometimes marketed as being "divisions" of the group. From 1929 to 1998, there were six major record labels, known as the Big Six: PolyGram was merged into Universal Music Group (UMG) in 1999, leaving the remaining record labels to be known as the Big Five. In 2004, Sony and BMG agreed to
168-405: A 50% profit-share agreement, aka 50–50 deal, not uncommon. In addition, independent labels are often artist-owned (although not always), with a stated intent often being to control the quality of the artist's output. Independent labels usually do not enjoy the resources available to the "big three" and as such will often lag behind them in market shares. However, frequently independent artists manage
224-558: A US Senate committee, that the Byrds never received any of the royalties they had been promised for their biggest hits, " Mr. Tambourine Man " and " Turn! Turn!, Turn! ". A contract either provides for the artist to deliver completed recordings to the label, or for the label to undertake the recording with the artist. For artists without a recording history, the label is often involved in selecting producers, recording studios , additional musicians, and songs to be recorded, and may supervise
280-470: A bigger company. If this is the case it can sometimes give the artist greater freedom than if they were signed directly to the big label. There are many examples of this kind of label, such as Nothing Records , owned by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails ; and Morning Records, owned by the Cooper Temple Clause , who were releasing EPs for years before the company was bought by RCA . If an artist and
336-408: A conventional cash advance to sign the artist, who would receive a royalty for sales after expenses were recouped. With the release of the artist's first album, however, the label has an option to pay an additional $ 200,000 in exchange for 30 percent of the net income from all touring, merchandise, endorsements, and fan-club fees. Atlantic would also have the right to approve the act's tour schedule, and
392-693: A deal with a proper label. In 2002, ArtistShare was founded as the Internet's first record label where the releases were directly funded by the artist's fans. Spit Syndicate Spit Syndicate are an ARIA Award -nominated Australian hip hop duo, consisting of Nick Lupi and Jimmy Nice based in Sydney , Australia. The duo have opened for international acts such as Cypress Hill , Xzibit , Ice Cube , Lupe Fiasco , Atmosphere , Brother Ali , People Under The Stairs , Diverse and Savage + Mareko . The duo are also part of music collective One Day . The group
448-563: A distribution network, and also purchased the Zenith Records vinyl pressing plant, one of only two companies then still pressing vinyl records in Australia. The pressing plant was subsequently sold in November 2007. The first artist released on the label was MC Reason 's EP Solid in 2000, produced by Jolz with appearances from Brad Strut , Bias B and Pac D. Other early releases included
504-609: A joint venture and merged their recorded music division to create the Sony BMG label (which would be renamed Sony Music Entertainment after a 2008 merger); BMG kept its music publishing division separate from Sony BMG and later sold BMG Music Publishing to UMG. In 2007, the remaining record labels—then known as the Big Four—controlled about 70% of the world music market , and about 80% of the United States music market. In 2012,
560-471: A label want to work together, whether an artist has contacted a label directly, usually by sending their team a demo, or the Artists & Repertoire team of the label has scouted the artist and reached out directly, they will usually enter in to a contractual relationship. A label typically enters into an exclusive recording contract with an artist to market the artist's recordings in return for royalties on
616-462: A large international media group , or somewhere in between. The Association of Independent Music (AIM) defines a 'major' as "a multinational company which (together with the companies in its group) has more than 5% of the world market(s) for the sale of records or music videos." As of 2012 , there are only three labels that can be referred to as "major labels": Universal Music Group , Sony Music , and Warner Music Group . In 2014, AIM estimated that
SECTION 10
#1732892149562672-605: A return by recording for a much smaller production cost of a typical big label release. Sometimes they are able to recoup their initial advance even with much lower sales numbers. 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 along with a larger portion of royalty profits. Artists such as Dolly Parton , Aimee Mann , Prince , Public Enemy , among others, have done this. Historically, companies started in this manner have been re-absorbed into
728-463: A wide audience ... We made that album when we were just out of school and it was just something that we could play at parties ... this time we had a greater sense and an understanding of what we wanted out of the record, so we paid a lot more attention to detail, and had a greater creative control and a bigger say in how the product ended up." Written over two years, the band called the album their "strongest work to date" in 2013. Nice also explained that
784-454: Is often marketed as a "unit" or "division" of the parent label, though in most cases, they operate as pseudonym for it and do not exist as a distinct business operation or separate business structure (although trademarks are sometimes registered). A record label may give a musical act an imprint as part of their branding, while other imprints serve to house other activities, such as side ventures of that label. Music collectors often use
840-684: Is owned by Sony Group Corporation ). Record labels and music publishers that are not under the control of the big three are generally considered to be independent ( indie ), even if they are large corporations with complex structures. The term indie label is sometimes used to refer to only those independent labels that adhere to independent criteria of corporate structure and size, and some consider an indie label to be almost any label that releases non-mainstream music, regardless of its corporate structure. Independent labels are often considered more artist-friendly. Though they may have less sales power, indie labels typically offer larger artist royalty with
896-535: The ARIA Charts 510 sales. In 2010, the duo appeared on the song "Long Winding Road" for M-Phazes' debut album, Good Gracious . In 2011, Spit Syndicate released Best Intentions: Part One , the first of a free online mixtape series and attracted over 10,000 downloads. In October 2012, the duo released "Beauty in the Bricks", the first single from the third studio album Sunday Gentlemen . The second single, "Folly",
952-533: The ARIA Music Awards of 2008 . In May 2010, they released their second studio album, Exile . In the official press release, the duo said the album was "inspired by the clarity of mind borne out of travel, the feeling of suffocation by one's everyday surroundings and the displacement sometimes required to get right". Exile' s lead single was called "Starry-Eyed" and received prominent airplay on Australia's triple j radio station. Exile debut at number 81 on
1008-459: The free software and open source movements and the success of Linux . In the mid-2000s, some music publishing companies began undertaking the work traditionally done by labels. The publisher Sony/ATV Music, for example, leveraged its connections within the Sony family to produce, record, distribute, and promote Elliott Yamin 's debut album under a dormant Sony-owned imprint , rather than waiting for
1064-505: The "parent" of any sublabels. Vanity labels are labels that bear an imprint that gives the impression of an artist's ownership or control, but in fact represent a standard artist/label relationship. In such an arrangement, the artist will control nothing more than the usage of the name on the label, but may enjoy a greater say in the packaging of their work. An example of such a label is the Neutron label owned by ABC while at Phonogram Inc. in
1120-575: The DVD, the label released his final album, Bring it All Back , posthumously. In 2016, after 21 years, Obese Records shut down for good, with no specific reason ever given. However, Pegz wrote a short statement about the label. It read: "I am so thankful for the times we shared. We ruled the country for a beautiful moment. The little record store that launched Australian hip hop to the masses. Thank you for your amazing support and contribution over her 21 years." Obese Records Distribution provided distribution for
1176-678: The Hilltop Hoods were nominated and won awards for Best Performing Independent Album ( The Hard Road ) and Best Independent Artist at that year's Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR) Chart Awards . Two artists associated with the label were nominated for four AIR Chart Awards in 2007 (three for Hilltop Hoods and one for Muph & Plutonic ). At the 2007 ARIA Awards , the Hilltop Hoods won 'Best Urban Release' for their album The Hard Road: Restrung . The Hilltop Hoods DVD, The City of Light , released by Obese Records in 2007, has also been classified gold . In 2008, two artists on
SECTION 20
#17328921495621232-648: The Obese label, Muph & Plutonic and Spit Syndicate , received nominations for 'Best Urban Album' at the ARIA Awards . In 2010 M-Phazes ' album, Good Gracious , was nominated for 'Best Urban Album' at the ARIA Awards . Obese also had a soul imprint, Plethora Records, and operated an artists' management and touring company, Obese Records Artist Management. Following Hilltops Hoods departure to start their own label with EMI , Obese Records continued to focus on both established artists and underground locals. Plethora Records
1288-501: The UK. At one point artist Lizzie Tear (under contract with ABC themselves) appeared on the imprint, but it was devoted almost entirely to ABC's offerings and is still used for their re-releases (though Phonogram owns the masters of all the work issued on the label). However, not all labels dedicated to particular artists are completely superficial in origin. Many artists, early in their careers, create their own labels which are later bought out by
1344-546: The United States would typically bear a 4th & B'way logo and would state in the fine print, "4th & B'way™, an Island Records, Inc. company". Collectors discussing labels as brands would say that 4th & B'way is a sublabel or imprint of just "Island" or "Island Records". Similarly, collectors who choose to treat corporations and trademarks as equivalent might say 4th & B'way is an imprint and/or sublabel of both Island Records, Ltd. and that company's sublabel, Island Records, Inc. However, such definitions are complicated by
1400-407: The album will sell better if the artist complies with the label's desired requests or changes. At times, the record label's decisions are prudent ones from a commercial perspective, but these decisions may frustrate artists who feel that their art is being diminished or misrepresented by such actions. In other instances, record labels have shelved artists' albums with no intention of any promotion for
1456-411: The artist from their contract, leaving the artist in a state of limbo. Artists who have had disputes with their labels over ownership and control of their music have included Taylor Swift , Tinashe , Megan Thee Stallion , Kelly Clarkson , Thirty Seconds to Mars , Clipse , Ciara , JoJo , Michelle Branch , Kesha , Kanye West , Lupe Fiasco , Paul McCartney , and Johnny Cash . In
1512-415: The artist in question. Reasons for shelving can include the label deciding to focus its resources on other artists on its roster, or the label undergoing a restructure where the person that signed the artist and supports the artist's vision is no longer present to advocate for the artist. In extreme cases, record labels can prevent the release of an artist's music for years, while also declining to release
1568-425: The artist is established and has a loyal fan base. For that reason, labels now have to be more relaxed with the development of artists because longevity is the key to these types of pact. Several artists such as Paramore , Maino , and even Madonna have signed such types of deals. A look at an actual 360 deal offered by Atlantic Records to an artist shows a variation of the structure. Atlantic's document offers
1624-484: The artists may be downloaded free of charge or for a fee that is paid via PayPal or other online payment system. Some of these labels also offer hard copy CDs in addition to direct download. Digital Labels are the latest version of a 'net' label. Whereas 'net' labels were started as a free site, digital labels represent more competition for the major record labels. The new century brought the phenomenon of open-source or open-content record labels. These are inspired by
1680-399: The artists' management and touring company, Obese Records Artist Management . Obese Records was founded in 1995 as a small record store called OB's by Ollie Bobbitt, in the Melbourne suburb of Prahran . Specialising in hip hop music, the store changed its name to "Obese Records" after Bobbitt sold the business to Australian artist Don Shazlek. (p.k.a. Shazlek One) In mid-2002 the store
1736-650: The circular label in the center of a vinyl record which prominently displays the manufacturer's name, along with other information. Within the mainstream music industry , recording artists have traditionally been reliant upon record labels to broaden their consumer base, market their albums, and promote their singles on streaming services, radio, and television. Record labels also provide publicists , who assist performers in gaining positive media coverage, and arrange for their merchandise to be available via stores and other media outlets. Record labels may be small, localized and " independent " ("indie"), or they may be part of
Obese Records - Misplaced Pages Continue
1792-471: The company that owns it. Sometimes, a record label is also a publishing company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture , distribution , marketing, promotion, and enforcement of copyright for sound recordings and music videos, while also conducting talent scouting and development of new artists , artist financing and maintaining contracts with recording artists and their managers. The term "record label" derives from
1848-403: The company. 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, to the point where it functions as an imprint or sublabel. A label used as a trademark or brand and not a company is called an imprint , a term used for a similar concept in publishing . An imprint
1904-531: The compilation album series Culture of Kings (which featured formative releases from acts like Hilltop Hoods , TZU , Hunter , Koolism , Terra Firma, Lyrical Commission, Downsyde , Layla , Bliss n Eso , Funkoars , DJ Bonez , Delta , Brad Strut , Bias B , Hospice and Brothers Stoney) and Obesecity , both of which Pegz described as "key networking tools" for the growing Australian hip hop scene. The second volume of Culture of Kings , released in October 2002,
1960-400: The corporate mergers that occurred in 1989 (when Island was sold to PolyGram) and 1998 (when PolyGram merged with Universal). PolyGram held sublabels including Mercury, Island and Motown. Island remained registered as corporations in both the United States and UK , but control of its brands changed hands multiple times as new companies were formed, diminishing the corporation's distinction as
2016-585: The duo signed with Obese Records , when Nice was 21 years of age and Lupi 19, and released their debut album Towards the Light in July 2008. In a November 2008 interview, Nick Lupi said "We actually signed on the dotted line in February of this year, but we started talking to them in about November of last year. We were both overseas during the summer and we had this album ready and we were gonna put it out when we got back, it
2072-493: The duo's creative process had matured over time, while Adit's production work was more experimental. Spit Syndicate completed a national Australian tour in support of the album, from March until May 2013, with support from Sydney artists Jackie Onassis. Sunday Gentlemen debuted at number 15 on the ARIA Charts. In April 2017, the duo released their fourth studio album, One Good Shirt Had Us All Fly which debuted at number 19 on
2128-416: The early days of the recording industry, recording labels were absolutely necessary for the success of any artist. The first goal of any new artist or band was to get signed to a contract as soon as possible. In the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, many artists were so desperate to sign a contract with a record company that they sometimes ended up signing agreements in which they sold the rights to their recordings to
2184-512: The end of their contract with EMI when their album In Rainbows was released as a " pay what you want " sales model as an online download, but they also returned to a label for a conventional release. Research shows that record labels still control most access to distribution. Computers and internet technology led to an increase in file sharing and direct-to-fan digital distribution, causing music sales to plummet in recent years. Labels and organizations have had to change their strategies and
2240-405: The following labels, in addition to Obese Records: 37°50′56″S 144°59′32″E / 37.849005°S 144.9920899999996°E / -37.849005; 144.9920899999996 Record label [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] "Big Three" music labels A record label or record company is a brand or trademark of music recordings and music videos , or
2296-678: The major divisions of EMI were sold off separately by owner Citigroup : most of EMI's recorded music division was absorbed into UMG; EMI Music Publishing was absorbed into Sony/ATV Music Publishing; finally, EMI's Parlophone and Virgin Classics labels were absorbed into Warner Music Group (WMG) in July 2013. This left the so-called Big Three labels. In 2020 and 2021, both WMG and UMG had their IPO with WMG starting trading at Nasdaq and UMG starting trading at Euronext Amsterdam and leaving only Sony Music as wholly-owned subsidiary of an international conglomerate ( Sony Entertainment which in turn
Obese Records - Misplaced Pages Continue
2352-433: The major labels (two examples are American singer Frank Sinatra 's Reprise Records , which has been owned by Warner Music Group for some time now, and musician Herb Alpert 's A&M Records , now owned by Universal Music Group). Similarly, Madonna 's Maverick Records (started by Madonna with her manager and another partner) was to come under control of Warner Music when Madonna divested herself of controlling shares in
2408-537: The majors had a collective global market share of some 65–70%. Record labels are often under the control of a corporate umbrella organization called a "music group ". A music group is usually affiliated to an international conglomerate " holding company ", which often has non-music divisions as well. A music group controls and consists of music-publishing companies, record (sound recording) manufacturers, record distributors, and record labels. Record companies (manufacturers, distributors, and labels) may also constitute
2464-507: The output of recording sessions. For established artists, a label is usually less involved in the recording process. The relationship between record labels and artists can be a difficult one. Many artists have had conflicts with their labels over the type of sound or songs they want to make, which can result in the artist's artwork or titles being changed before release. Other artists have had their music prevented from release, or shelved. Record labels generally do this because they believe that
2520-543: The record label in perpetuity. Entertainment lawyers are usually employed by artists to discuss contract terms. Due to advancing technology such as the Internet , the role of labels is rapidly changing, as artists are able to freely distribute their own material through online radio , peer-to-peer file sharing such as BitTorrent , and other services, at little to no cost, but with correspondingly low financial returns. Established artists, such as Nine Inch Nails , whose career
2576-418: The salaries of certain tour and merchandise sales employees hired by the artist. In addition, the label also offers the artist a 30 percent cut of the label's album profits—if any—which represents an improvement from the typical industry royalty of 15 percent. With the Internet now being the dominant source for obtaining music, netlabels have emerged. Depending on the ideals of the net label, music files from
2632-419: The selling price of the recordings. Contracts may extend over short or long durations, and may or may not refer to specific recordings. Established, successful artists tend to be able to renegotiate their contracts to get terms more favorable to them, but Prince 's much-publicized 1994–1996 feud with Warner Bros. Records provides a strong counterexample, as does Roger McGuinn 's claim, made in July 2000 before
2688-400: The term sublabel to refer to either an imprint or a subordinate label company (such as those within a group). For example, in the 1980s and 1990s, 4th & B'way Records (pronounced as "Broadway") was a trademarked brand owned by Island Records Ltd. in the UK and by a subordinate branch, Island Records, Inc., in the United States. The center label on a 4th & Broadway record marketed in
2744-433: The way they work with artists. New types of deals called "multiple rights" or "360" deals are being made with artists, where labels are given rights and percentages to artist's touring, merchandising, and endorsements . In exchange for these rights, labels usually give higher advance payments to artists, have more patience with artist development, and pay higher percentages of CD sales. These 360 deals are most effective when
2800-463: Was bought by Melbourne-based artist Tirren Staaf (a.k.a. Pegz ) who transformed it into a record label. According to Pegz, there were few other labels specializing in Australian hip-hop at the time, and none putting significant funds into marketing. Pegz claims that he "saw the opening and went for it. It was about giving the people around me the opportunity they deserved." Pegz used the label to create
2856-455: Was developed with major label backing, announced an end to their major label contracts, citing that the uncooperative nature of the recording industry with these new trends is hurting musicians, fans and the industry as a whole. However, Nine Inch Nails later returned to working with a major label, admitting that they needed the international marketing and promotional reach that a major label can provide. Radiohead also cited similar motives with
SECTION 50
#17328921495622912-949: Was founded as Obese' Records subsidiary soul label in 2010. In 2012,Obese filmed episodes for Obese TV, their web series. In 2013, Obese Records signed its first management contract with emcee Kerser , at that point having divisions for sales, publicity, marketing, accounts, and A&R . In 2013, Pegz expanded the company by opening a second retail store in the Melbourne neighborhood of Frankston , which stocked music, merchandise, street apparel, spray paint, art supplies, DVDs, and street art magazines. Periscope Pictures announced on 19 September 2013, that Obese Records would be distributing its documentary Hunter: For The Record locally in Australia . The feature film chronicles hip hop artist Robert Hunter before his death from cancer in 2011. Hunter had released all his albums on Obese, and in conjunction with
2968-468: Was founded in Sydney's Inner West by rappers Nick Lupi and Jimmy Nice. Nick Lupi attended Fort Street High School whilst Jimmy Nice attended Leichhardt High School. In 2006, Spit Syndicate released their debut mixtape The Future's Bright , which was followed by an appearance on MTV Australia 's The Lair in July 2007, alongside other musical acts such as Sparta and The Hot Lies . In February 2008
3024-401: Was just a matter of who we did it with." In 2013, Nice reflected on their experience of releasing a debut album: "We were so young when we started, we were just little sponges ... We just wanted to know what it was all about, we wanted to be around it, we wanted to be at every gig, we wanted to record at every chance that we got". The album was nominated for ARIA Award for Best Urban Album at
3080-453: Was released in January 2013, followed by the release of the album on 22 February 2013. Contributing artists included Drapht, Illy and Solo, and production is accredited to Adit, M-Phazes, J-Skub and Styalz Fuego. In March 2013, Nice explained the duo's different approach for the recording of the album "The first album that we put out, I don't think it was ever really intended for an audience,
3136-555: Was the first Australian hip hop album to be selected for the Triple J feature album spot. In 2003, Obese released the Hilltop Hoods album The Calling , which became the first Australian hip hop album to go gold . Mark Pollard, founder of Stealth Magazine , commented during an interview with Tony Mitchell in 2004 that Hilltop Hoods’ success had been helped by Obese. — Mark Pollard, founder of Stealth Magazine (2004) In 2006
#561438