Vanity Label

Origin

A vanity label is a term given to a situation where a famous recording artist is allowed to more or less run his own "label within a label" and release music by other artists he admires. The parent label handles the production and distribution and funding of the vanity label, but the album is usually released with the vanity label brand name prominent. Record labels generally do this for a few reasons:
  • It pleases and retains the famous recording artist.
  • It allows for potentially high amounts of sales for artists on the vanity label with relatively less promotional expense, since fans are attracted to those artists via the association with the famous artist.
Many music critics like vanity labels as they allow bands in niche genres or with more experimental or unusual music to receive distribution then would normally be present. Examples of vanity labels are Nothing Records (founded by Trent Reznor) and Aftermath Records, founded by Dr. Dre). See the table below.

Status

In 2004, record companies have drastically cut funding to many vanity labels, as they are seen to have underperformed. The future of vanity labels is in question. Vanity labels, along with genre specific subsidiary labels, mask the amount of concentration in the music industry. They create the illusion that there are far more record labels then there actually are. On the other hand though, many subsidiary labels and vanity labels are given a great deal of autonomy, so that the overall result is greater distribution and exposure of what can be labeled "independent music".

Prominent Vanity Labels

Vanity Label Founding Artist Founded Notable Artists Released Major Label Partner  (at founding) Status
Reprise Records Frank Sinatra 1960 Frank Sinatra
Neil Young
Fleetwood Mac
Steely Dan
WEA (now Warner Music Group) Now considered a major record label
Rolling Stones Records Rolling Stones 1971 Rolling Stones Atlantic Records (WEA) (now Warner Music Group) Albums now released by Virgin Records
Swan Song Records Led Zeppelin May 10, 1974 Led Zeppelin
Bad Company
Atlantic Records (WEA) (now Warner Music Group) disbanded (1983)
Duck Records Eric Clapton -- Eric Clapton Reprise Records (WEA) (now Warner Music Group) active
Es Paranza Records Robert Plant 1983 Robert Plant Atlantic Records (WEA) (now Warner Music Group) --
Paisley Park Records Prince 1986 Prince
Sheila E.
Warner Bros. Records (WEA) (now Warner Music Group) closed (1994)
Nothing Records Trent Reznor 1992 Nine Inch Nails
Marilyn Manson
Interscope Records  (now Universal Music Group)
apparently discontinued (2004)
MJJ Records Michael Jackson 1993 Michael Jackson Epic Records (Sony Music Entertainment) seeking new distribution partner (2004)
NPG Records Prince 1994 Prince
Chaka Khan
Mayte
None; various distribution active (2005)
Aftermath Records Dr. Dre 1996 Dr. Dre
Eminem
50 Cent
Eve
Busta Rhymes
Interscope Records  (now Universal Music Group)
active (2005)
Attack Records Morrissey originally ran from 1969-1980, revived 2003 Morrissey
Nancy Sinatra
Jobriath
Sanctuary Records
active (2005)
("--" indicates information not available)

 

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