General Awareness

Music Industry Business

2,793 Questions

The music industry business encompasses the production, distribution, and sale of music. Questions in this section cover record labels, retail, distribution channels, and artist revenue sources. This topic is relevant for exams that include cultural and general knowledge modules.

Record labelsMusic distributionArtist revenue streamsMusic retail businessIndustry professional organizations

Music Industry Business Questions

Multiple choice

Which independent record label was founded by Daniel Miller in 1978 and is known for its electronic and industrial releases?

  1. Mute Records

  2. Warp Records

  3. Ninja Tune

  4. XL Recordings
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Mute Records was founded by Daniel Miller in London in 1978. The label is known for its electronic and industrial releases, and has released music by artists such as Depeche Mode, New Order, and Einstürzende Neubauten.

Multiple choice

Which independent record label was founded by Steve Albini in 1981 and is known for its punk and indie rock releases?

  1. Touch and Go Records

  2. Dischord Records

  3. SST Records

  4. Matador Records
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Touch and Go Records was founded by Steve Albini in Chicago in 1981. The label is known for its punk and indie rock releases, and has released music by artists such as Big Black, Shellac, and The Jesus Lizard.

Multiple choice

Which independent record label was founded by Ian MacKaye and Jeff Nelson in 1980 and is known for its hardcore punk and post-hardcore releases?

  1. Touch and Go Records

  2. Dischord Records

  3. SST Records

  4. Matador Records
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Dischord Records was founded by Ian MacKaye and Jeff Nelson in Washington, D.C. in 1980. The label is known for its hardcore punk and post-hardcore releases, and has released music by artists such as Minor Threat, Fugazi, and Rites of Spring.

Multiple choice

Which independent record label was founded by Greg Ginn in 1978 and is known for its hardcore punk and thrash metal releases?

  1. Touch and Go Records

  2. Dischord Records

  3. SST Records

  4. Matador Records
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

SST Records was founded by Greg Ginn in Long Beach, California in 1978. The label is known for its hardcore punk and thrash metal releases, and has released music by artists such as Black Flag, Minutemen, and Hüsker Dü.

Multiple choice

Which independent record label was founded by Gerard Cosloy in 1989 and is known for its indie rock and alternative country releases?

  1. Touch and Go Records

  2. Dischord Records

  3. SST Records

  4. Matador Records
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Matador Records was founded by Gerard Cosloy in New York City in 1989. The label is known for its indie rock and alternative country releases, and has released music by artists such as Pavement, Yo La Tengo, and Belle & Sebastian.

Multiple choice

Which independent record label was founded by Richard Russell in 2004 and is known for its electronic and experimental releases?

  1. XL Recordings

  2. Warp Records

  3. Ninja Tune

  4. Hyperdub
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

XL Recordings was founded by Richard Russell in London in 2004. The label is known for its electronic and experimental releases, and has released music by artists such as The xx, Radiohead, and Sampha.

Multiple choice

Which independent record label was founded by Steve Beckett and Rob Mitchell in 1992 and is known for its drum and bass and electronic releases?

  1. XL Recordings

  2. Warp Records

  3. Ninja Tune

  4. Hyperdub
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Warp Records was founded by Steve Beckett and Rob Mitchell in Sheffield, England in 1992. The label is known for its drum and bass and electronic releases, and has released music by artists such as Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada, and Flying Lotus.

Multiple choice

Which independent record label was founded by Matt Black and Jonathan More in 1990 and is known for its trip hop and electronic releases?

  1. XL Recordings

  2. Warp Records

  3. Ninja Tune

  4. Hyperdub
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Ninja Tune was founded by Matt Black and Jonathan More in London in 1990. The label is known for its trip hop and electronic releases, and has released music by artists such as DJ Shadow, Amon Tobin, and The Cinematic Orchestra.

Multiple choice

Which independent record label was founded by Kode9 in 2004 and is known for its dubstep and grime releases?

  1. XL Recordings

  2. Warp Records

  3. Ninja Tune

  4. Hyperdub
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Hyperdub was founded by Kode9 in London in 2004. The label is known for its dubstep and grime releases, and has released music by artists such as Burial, Kode9, and The Bug.

Multiple choice

Which independent record label was founded by James Lavelle in 1991 and is known for its trip hop and electronic releases?

  1. Mo' Wax

  2. Ninja Tune

  3. Warp Records

  4. XL Recordings
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Mo' Wax was founded by James Lavelle in London in 1991. The label is known for its trip hop and electronic releases, and has released music by artists such as DJ Shadow, UNKLE, and Badly Drawn Boy.

Multiple choice

Which independent record label was founded by Geoff Travis in 1979 and is known for its post-punk and alternative rock releases?

  1. Rough Trade Records

  2. 4AD

  3. Mute Records

  4. Factory Records
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Rough Trade Records was founded by Geoff Travis in London in 1979. The label is known for its post-punk and alternative rock releases, and has released music by artists such as The Smiths, The Fall, and Pulp.

Multiple choice

Which independent record label was founded by Berry Gordy Jr. and is known for its iconic Motown sound?

  1. Atlantic Records

  2. Motown Records

  3. Def Jam Recordings

  4. Sub Pop Records
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Motown Records, founded in 1959, is renowned for its influential role in the development of soul music and its iconic artists like Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye.

Multiple choice

Which independent record label is associated with the punk rock and new wave movements of the 1970s and 1980s?

  1. Rough Trade Records

  2. 4AD

  3. SST Records

  4. Dischord Records
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Rough Trade Records, established in 1976, played a pivotal role in the UK punk scene and released influential albums by bands like The Smiths, The Fall, and The Jesus and Mary Chain.

Multiple choice

Which independent record label was founded by Chris Blackwell and is known for its reggae and world music releases?

  1. Island Records

  2. Virgin Records

  3. XL Recordings

  4. Ninja Tune
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Island Records, founded in 1959, gained prominence for its reggae releases by artists like Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff, as well as its eclectic roster of artists spanning genres from rock to folk.

Multiple choice

Which independent record label is known for its association with hip hop and rap music, founded by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin?

  1. Def Jam Recordings

  2. Bad Boy Records

  3. Loud Records

  4. Roc-A-Fella Records
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Def Jam Recordings, established in 1984, became a powerhouse in hip hop, launching the careers of artists like LL Cool J, Public Enemy, and Beastie Boys.