# Sony Music > American multinational music recording company **Wikidata**: [Q56760250](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q56760250) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_Music) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sony-music ## Summary Sony Music is a company operating in the music industry, entertainment industry, and show business . Headquartered in New York City , the company produces music . As of 2020, Sony Music had approximately 8.6k employees [1]. ## Summary Sony Music is an American multinational music recording company that operates as a major label in the global music industry. It is owned by Sony Corporation of America and headquartered in New York City, serving as one of the "Big Three" record companies in the music business. ## Key Facts - **Type**: American multinational music recording company, major label, business organization - **Inception**: January 1, 2009 (current iteration), though predecessor companies date back much earlier - **Headquarters**: New York City, United States - **Parent Organization**: Sony Corporation of America (owned by Sony Corporation) - **Industry**: Music industry, entertainment industry, phonographic industry - **Revenue**: $7,270,000,000 - **Employees**: 8,578 - **Former Name**: Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Inc. (2004-2009) - **Predecessor**: Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Inc. - **Subsidiaries**: Columbia Records, Epic Records, RCA Records, Arista Records, Legacy Recordings, The Orchard, Sony Classical, AWAL, Disruptor Records, Bad Boy Records, Sony Music Latin, Sony Music Argentina, Sony Music Indonesia, and many others - **Related Companies**: Sony Entertainment, Sony Masterworks - **Products**: Music recordings, high-resolution audio formats including High Fidelity Pure Audio (HFPA) - **Website**: https://www.sonymusic.com/ - **Aliases**: Sony Música, Sony Music Entertainment, SME, SM, Sony Music Entertainment (United States) - **Sitelink Count**: 60 - **Location of Formation**: New York City - **Industry Classifications**: Q746359, Q19595701, Q625568 ## FAQs ### What is Sony Music and what does it do? Sony Music is an American multinational music recording company that produces, distributes, and promotes music recordings and music videos globally. It operates as a major label in the music industry, signing artists, producing albums, and managing the commercial aspects of music distribution. ### Who owns Sony Music and what is its corporate structure? Sony Music is owned by Sony Corporation of America, which is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation. It operates as part of Sony Entertainment and is headquartered in New York City. The company was formerly known as Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Inc. before becoming Sony Music Entertainment in 2009. ### What record labels are part of Sony Music's portfolio? Sony Music owns numerous record labels including Columbia Records, Epic Records, RCA Records, Arista Records, Legacy Recordings, The Orchard, Sony Classical, AWAL, Disruptor Records, Bad Boy Records, Sony Music Latin, Sony Music Argentina, and Sony Music Indonesia, among others. ### What is the relationship between Sony Music and the music industry? Sony Music is a major player in the music industry, operating as one of the "Big Three" record companies. It is classified as a record company and major label, participating in the production and sale of music while making money from sales and streaming revenues. ### Who are some notable executives and affiliated artists with Sony Music? Notable people affiliated with Sony Music include executives like Doug Morris and Tommy Mottola, as well as artists like Shakira. The company has connections to various music industry professionals and performers through its extensive label network. ### What special audio formats has Sony Music developed? Sony Music developed High Fidelity Pure Audio (HFPA), a digital audio medium introduced in 2013 that uses Blu-ray Disc technology to deliver high-resolution audio. This format supports up to 192 kHz/24-bit PCM and DSD formats for superior sound quality. ## Why It Matters Sony Music matters as one of the three dominant forces in the global music industry, wielding enormous influence over which artists succeed and what music reaches mainstream audiences. The company controls a vast catalog of music through its subsidiary labels like Columbia Records, Epic Records, and RCA Records, which house legendary artists and continue to sign new talent that shapes popular culture. Its economic impact is substantial with $7.27 billion in revenue and nearly 8,600 employees, making it a major employer and economic driver in the entertainment sector. The company's reach extends beyond traditional music distribution into emerging technologies and formats, such as the High Fidelity Pure Audio format it developed in 2013, demonstrating its commitment to advancing audio quality for consumers. Sony Music's global presence through subsidiaries in countries like Argentina and Indonesia shows its role in cultural exchange and the international music market. The company's influence affects everything from which songs become hits to how artists are developed and marketed, making it a critical gatekeeper in the music industry ecosystem. ## Notable For - Operating as one of the "Big Three" record companies in the global music industry alongside Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group - Owning historic record labels including Columbia Records (founded 1889), Epic Records (founded 1953), and RCA Records (founded 1901) - Developing High Fidelity Pure Audio (HFPA), a specialized high-resolution audio format using Blu-ray technology launched in 2013 - Generating $7.27 billion in revenue, making it one of the most financially significant music companies worldwide - Employing 8,578 people across its global operations - Operating in multiple countries through subsidiaries like Sony Music Argentina (founded 1948) and Sony Music Indonesia - Maintaining partnerships with major artists including Shakira and having connections to industry executives like Doug Morris and Tommy Mottola - Being headquartered in New York City, one of the world's major entertainment and business centers - Successfully transitioning from Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Inc. to become Sony Music Entertainment in 2009 - Distributing music across multiple genres and markets through its diverse label portfolio ## Body ### History and Corporate Evolution Sony Music emerged in its current form on January 1, 2009, though its lineage traces back through Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Inc., which was established on August 5, 2004. The company represents the continuation of one of the music industry's major consolidations, evolving from the merger of Sony Music and BMG. This corporate restructuring positioned Sony Music as a standalone entity within the Sony Corporation ecosystem, separate from its previous joint venture with Bertelsmann. The transition from Sony BMG to Sony Music marked a significant shift in the company's operational structure, allowing for more focused strategic direction under Sony Corporation of America's ownership. The company's formation in New York City placed it at the heart of the American music industry, facilitating relationships with artists, distributors, and other industry stakeholders. ### Corporate Structure and Ownership Sony Music operates as a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, which itself is part of the larger Sony Corporation conglomerate. The company falls under the Sony Entertainment umbrella, connecting it to Sony's broader entertainment initiatives including film, television, and gaming divisions. This corporate alignment provides Sony Music with access to Sony's technological innovations and global distribution networks. The company's headquarters in New York City serve as the central hub for its global operations, coordinating activities across its numerous subsidiary labels and international offices. Sony Music's organizational structure includes multiple imprints and divisions that operate semi-autonomously while benefiting from shared resources and distribution capabilities. ### Subsidiary Labels and Portfolio Sony Music's business model relies heavily on its portfolio of subsidiary record labels, each with distinct market positioning and artist rosters. Columbia Records, founded in 1889, represents one of the oldest and most prestigious labels in the company's portfolio. Epic Records, established in 1953, focuses on contemporary music across multiple genres. RCA Records, dating back to 1901, maintains a legacy of signing major artists while continuing to develop new talent. Additional subsidiaries include Arista Records, Legacy Recordings, The Orchard, Sony Classical, AWAL, Disruptor Records, Bad Boy Records, and Sony Music Latin. Each label maintains its own A&R (Artists and Repertoire) team, marketing strategy, and brand identity while leveraging Sony Music's global distribution infrastructure. Regional subsidiaries like Sony Music Argentina (founded 1948) and Sony Music Indonesia extend the company's reach into international markets. ### Financial Performance and Scale Sony Music demonstrates substantial economic influence with $7.27 billion in annual revenue and a workforce of 8,578 employees. These figures position the company among the most significant players in the global music industry, with resources that enable major investments in artist development, marketing campaigns, and technological innovation. The company's financial scale allows for significant advances to artists, expensive marketing campaigns, and long-term development of talent. This economic power translates into market influence, affecting which artists receive major promotional support and which songs receive radio play and streaming playlist placement. ### Technological Innovation and Format Development Sony Music has demonstrated commitment to audio quality innovation through the development of High Fidelity Pure Audio (HFPA), introduced in 2013. This format utilizes Blu-ray Disc technology to deliver high-resolution audio without video content, supporting up to 192 kHz/24-bit PCM and DSD formats. The development of HFPA reflects Sony Music's integration with Sony Corporation's broader technology ecosystem. The company's approach to digital distribution through subsidiaries like The Orchard and AWAL positions it to serve both major label artists and independent musicians seeking global distribution. This dual approach allows Sony Music to participate in both traditional major label operations and the growing independent music market. ### Industry Relationships and Affiliations Sony Music maintains connections with numerous industry professionals and artists through its extensive network. Executives like Doug Morris and Tommy Mottola represent the company's ties to music industry leadership, while artists like Shakira exemplify its roster of major performers. These relationships extend across multiple genres and markets, reflecting Sony Music's comprehensive industry presence. The company's involvement in the music industry encompasses participation in industry organizations, trade associations, and standard-setting bodies that shape the broader music business landscape. Through its subsidiary labels and international operations, Sony Music influences industry practices and standards across multiple markets. ### Geographic Presence and International Operations Sony Music operates globally through subsidiaries in various countries, with Sony Music Argentina representing one of the company's longest-established international presences, dating back to 1948. The company's international structure enables local market adaptation while maintaining global coordination and resource sharing. Regional operations like Sony Music Argentina demonstrate the company's approach to combining global resources with local market knowledge. These subsidiaries maintain their own artist rosters, marketing strategies, and distribution relationships while benefiting from Sony Music's global infrastructure and artist development resources. ## References 1. [Source](https://www.lobbyfacts.eu/datacard/sony-music-entertainment?rid=352934436086-01) 2. Virtual International Authority File 3. MusicBrainz 4. [Sony Music Entertainment company profile](http://linkedin.com/companies/sony-music-entertainment) 5. Google Knowledge Graph 6. [Source](https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/IR/library/FY2017_20F_PDF.pdf) 7. Quora 8. YouTube API