If someone will want to kick-start his or her music career and become a successful musician in Ghana, the best way to go about this is to find a reputable record label to sign under.
Learning how to start a record label in Ghana helps you understand how to music industry of Ghana works and every rules and regulations governing music in Ghana.
Most up and coming artist look for record labels in Ghana on a serious note to get signed to submit their demos for checks on their performances before any sponsorship deal will be signed.
In one of our previously published article, we provided the full list of record labels and their contacts in Ghana for interesting artists to contact and get their songs signed.
Take your time and read through our complete article guide on How To Start A Record Label In Ghana 2022 from Latest Ghana.
Table of Contents
What Is Record Label?
If you are yet to start a record label business in Ghana and have not try hands on it before, you should follow the practical guides that will be provided under this useful curated content.
Starting a record label is like establishing any business empire to own a lifetime asset in Ghana.
A record label, or record company, is a brand or trademark of music recordings and music videos, or 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 (“artists and repertoire” or “A&R”), and maintaining contracts with recording artists and their managers. The term “record label”, derives from the circular label in the center of a vinyl record which prominently displays the manufacturer’s name, along with other information.
According to Wikipedia, 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.
Functions of record label
The function of record label contributes to the role of a record label in Ghana. Record labels are companies that market recorded music and corresponding videos. They engage in a wide range of functions in the music industry, including new artist recruitment and development (known as A&R, which stands for artist and repertoire), music publishing, and copyright enforcement
How To Start A Record Label In Ghana
- Choose A Name For Your Label.
- Register Your Record Label As Business Name
- Plan On The Record Label Business Structure.
- Find Music For Your Record Label.
- Prepare Recording Contracts For Your Label.
- Promote your Music.
- Find how to collect your royalties
How To Make Money From Record Label
Record companies make money by selling recordings. It is a high-risk business. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), approximately 90% of the records that are released by major recording labels fail to make a profit.
Record labels in Ghana make money by dealing with music distributors when they sell their artists’ music. Record labels also make money by marketing the Artists under their management in Ghana.
Internet And Digital Labels
With the Internet now being a viable source for obtaining music, netlabels have emerged. Depending on the ideals of the net label, music files from 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Functions Of Record Label In Ghana
A record label or record company makes and sells audio and video recordings, on various formats including compact discs, LPs, DVD-Audio, SACDs, and cassettes. The name “record label” is from the paper label at the center of a gramophone record (what is also known as a “phonograph record” in American English).
Limited creative control: Signing with a record label gives them control over your music. The label can make deals and decisions with your music without your approval. They also have full control over distribution, marketing, artwork, messaging, and more
Record labels make money on recordings by investing in the release cycle — whether it’s the entire cycle, from recording to marketing (as in a traditional record deal), or only a specific portion of it (as in a licensing deal) — and then taking a stake of the revenue generated by that album to recoup their investments
While major label artists receive advance payments before the recording and then pay back the label, independent artists usually do not get any advance. Studio musicians can be hired and paid upfront. Major label artists receive 10 to 15 points.
Traditionally, when an artist signs a record deal (particularly with a major label), they assign the copyright of their recordings to the label. This means they no longer own them and only have a right to royalties. In fact, the only way artists might get them back would be if the label went bust
The famous record labels in Ghana are; Lynx Entertainment, Zylofon Media, Rufftown Music, Avenue Music, AMG Business, Highly Spiritual Music, Burniton Music Group, Sarkcess Music