Do Major Record Labels Still Have Brand Identity?

Back in the day, each record label had a distinct consumer identity. In the 90s, you knew what to expect from an Interscope album. Def Jam, Jive, Uptown, Cash Money. They all had their own vibe, their own identity, their own brand. So... what the hell happened? In the episode, we talk about how music's landscape shifted, and took the consumer brands with it. Strong brands still exist today among today's music companies, but they operate more like B2B brands than B2C brands. I'm joined by Justin Hunte, music journalist, startup advisor, and former Editor-in-Chief of HipHopDX, and we break it all down. 04:20 Def Jam's fight for legitimacy and innovation. 06:59 Federal Communications Act - media consolidation impact 12:08 Media success relies on standing on giants' shoulders. 16:36 Hybe's Weverse maximizes label and artist reach. 18:21 Maximizing super fans to boost revenue. Consolidation. 23:07 Shift in entertainment from pandemic to 2024. 25:41 Changing music industry, companies adapting to trends. 28:37 Brand identity crucial; industry accolades have limits. 31:31 Share, rate, and spread the word. Make sure you listen in for our new Chartmetric stat of the week! Trapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital’s free memo.