Ep.10 - Major Labels - a podcast by The 5th Element Podcast Network/Hip-Hop By The Numbers

In a 2-part series, DITD tackles the one topic that has been clouding over every other topic Ben & Charlie has talked about so far on DITD.

Major Labels.

In the 90s, the US "Big Three", Universal Music Group, Warner & Sony consumed Hip-Hop as soon as it became a cultural force. From '86 to '96, there were 17 No.1 Hip-Hop albums, 11 of them were under Major Labels. It's even more clear looking at singles. Moving onto now, the numbers of Major Labels owning charting artists are in the high 90%. Artists may be able to start their own labels & host their own festivals, but they're still a cloud in the blue atmosphere that is the faceless Major Labels.

Hip-Hop, as it is now, is more business-oriented. For some people, the soul of Hip-Hop has been sucked out due to how dominant the 'White Collars' have become over Hip-Hop. In the day-to-day, their influence is invisible, but if we broaden the scope, it's clear that Major Labels have made Hip-Hop into any other genre, a money machine.

Ben & Charlie tackle Major Labels - (7:57)
Trying to grasp the dominance - (21:56)
Judging whether the positive growth of Hip-Hop is even positive - (43:05)
Is the risk worth the reward? - (49:11)

Next episode, we'll look at the other side of the coin, Independent artists & labels.

Thanks for listening. Below are the Social accounts for all parties involved. Be sure to let us know that you're supporting us!

Music - "Pizza And Video Games" by Bonus Points (Thanks to Chillhop Records for the right to use)

HHBTN (Twitter & IG) - @HipHopNumbers
5E (Twitter & IG) - @5thElement_UK
5E Community Discord
ChillHop (Twitter) - @Chillhopdotcom
Bonus Points (Twitter) - @BonusPoints92

Other Podcasts Under The 5EPN:
"What's Good?" W/ Charlie Taylor
In Search of Sauce
Black Women Watch...
5EPN Radio
The Beauty Of Independence

Further episodes of Diggin' In The Digits

Further podcasts by The 5th Element Podcast Network/Hip-Hop By The Numbers

Website of The 5th Element Podcast Network/Hip-Hop By The Numbers