Island records was founded by Chris blackwell in Jamaica but was in the United Kingdom and then after a few years bought by the Universal music group which now is a division of the Island def jam Motown music group in the United States and as a label in the United kingdom. Also since 2007 they have expanded to have an artist and repertoire label in Australia.
Islands record was founded in 1959 and helped financially by Stanley Borden and then they decided to move Islands records to the UK where in 1989 he sold the label to Polygram for £272 million and became the largest indie label in history and influenced many artists from the 70's onwards.
After unsuccessfully trying to create good quality records (many were defective) the label hired EMI to manufacture and distribute their work.
Their first trip into international waters was a distribution deal in North America with RCA Records Canada. After this breakthrough Islands overseas licensing arrangements made them the primary label and made sure their logo was everywhere they went on their records and the record sleeves.
In the 70's with Bob Marley’s death bought detrimental effects to the company; although they had recently signed U2 they still hadn’t hit super star status. Things really became bad for Blackwell when he owed $5 million in royalties to U2 from their new album but he couldn’t pay it meaning they struck a deal where U2 invested that money in to the company and getting a 10% stake in the company.
This then lead to the sale of the company in 1989 to PolyGram and was no longer an independent label. However Blackwell stayed on as the CEO of the PolyGram's island entertainment division. PolyGram then began to put the back log of songs on to compact disc and reached out to many global manufacturers.
Island World Communications, which was headed by Blackwell, as well as Mike Preece, Laurence Guinness and Andy Frain, created Manga Entertainment Ltd, the Japanese Anime and Live Action Japanese film division of Island in 1991 Which then went on to big success. Blackwell then resigned and some say he was fired but then went on to make Palm Pictures. Then in 1998 all of the Polygram and associated labels were purchased by Seagrams, the various labels now asserting the imprint under the umbrella of UMG, or Universal Music Group, LLC. It then expanded from there going all over the world to be a recognizable label with many divisions off it that cover all of the entertainment industry.
Tuesday, 6 December 2011
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
"Stereo Typical" by Rizzle kicks
Rizzle kicks have come in to the music industry, bringing a refreshing lift to the pop/rap scene. There intelligent well written songs are in a whole new level compared to some artists out at the moment.
Rizzle Kicks consists of Jordan Stephens and Harley Alexander-sule, Who met each other at Blatchington Mill School in Brighton.
The duo started off there career when releasing "Prophet (better watch it)" in May 2011 which was initially offered for free on there website, before being released on Itunes. However this song wasn't well received and they quickly removed it from the charts. Although I wouldn't say it was there best song to date, I still rate it highly and the music video to accompany it is simple but amazing (my favorite music video of theirs).
I think there choice to remove the single was a wise one as your first impression on the music scene is the most important and with the release of "down with the trumpets" they set their career off with a bang, with it eventually going to number 8 on the charts in September. After this modest success they went on to feature on the number one single with Olly Murs "Heart Skips A Beat" entering the chart at #1 on 28th august 2011.
With there success in the charts their album was highly anticipated and it definitely didn't disappoint. When hearing that the boys are signed to the Universal Island label, we are already given high expectations as this is not by far a small label with many branches all over the world.
The Album gives a juxtaposition of the old and new with a mix of real instruments(trumpets are heavily featured on a lot of their tracks) and also synths and beats. But not only is the music different and involving the raps are far better then some of the most famous rappers all around the world;with their very English accent they could be compared to Tinie Tempah however the message they get across in songs is completely different.
It has reviews such as "fun while it lasts, but swiftly forgettable"
which I partially agree with as there is nothing that stands out however its till an album that is great to listen to when your just relaxing, its very easy going and gentle. Although another review commented:"sporting a unique style of hip hop that hasn’t hit the mainstream until now" This supports my earlier claim of them being something new and i really think this trend my catch on.
All in all I think the album is excellent , well thought over(took 2 years to create the album) and definitely think Rizzle kicks have a prosperous future in the music industry.
Rizzle Kicks consists of Jordan Stephens and Harley Alexander-sule, Who met each other at Blatchington Mill School in Brighton.
The duo started off there career when releasing "Prophet (better watch it)" in May 2011 which was initially offered for free on there website, before being released on Itunes. However this song wasn't well received and they quickly removed it from the charts. Although I wouldn't say it was there best song to date, I still rate it highly and the music video to accompany it is simple but amazing (my favorite music video of theirs).
I think there choice to remove the single was a wise one as your first impression on the music scene is the most important and with the release of "down with the trumpets" they set their career off with a bang, with it eventually going to number 8 on the charts in September. After this modest success they went on to feature on the number one single with Olly Murs "Heart Skips A Beat" entering the chart at #1 on 28th august 2011.
With there success in the charts their album was highly anticipated and it definitely didn't disappoint. When hearing that the boys are signed to the Universal Island label, we are already given high expectations as this is not by far a small label with many branches all over the world.
The Album gives a juxtaposition of the old and new with a mix of real instruments(trumpets are heavily featured on a lot of their tracks) and also synths and beats. But not only is the music different and involving the raps are far better then some of the most famous rappers all around the world;with their very English accent they could be compared to Tinie Tempah however the message they get across in songs is completely different.
It has reviews such as "fun while it lasts, but swiftly forgettable"
which I partially agree with as there is nothing that stands out however its till an album that is great to listen to when your just relaxing, its very easy going and gentle. Although another review commented:"sporting a unique style of hip hop that hasn’t hit the mainstream until now" This supports my earlier claim of them being something new and i really think this trend my catch on.
All in all I think the album is excellent , well thought over(took 2 years to create the album) and definitely think Rizzle kicks have a prosperous future in the music industry.
Introduction
Hi my name is Emily St John Jones and I'm currently doing a BTEC in music and we are learning all about the music industry. So for my course I will be putting lots of blogs on here about the production side of music.
I am also a solo singer who also plays guitar I write a lot of my own songs and love all genres. If any one has a lot of experience in any of these aspects I would really be interested in your opinion and help.
I am also a solo singer who also plays guitar I write a lot of my own songs and love all genres. If any one has a lot of experience in any of these aspects I would really be interested in your opinion and help.
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