record label Logos and Brands
From vinyl records in the 1950s to streaming releases in the 2020s, record labels remain key institutions in the music industry, and the “Record Label” section collects their emblems. Columbia Records, Atlantic, Motown, Sub Pop, XL Recordings, and hundreds of independent imprints have released albums that have changed popular culture, and label logos have become symbols of quality for music lovers. The sticker at the center of a vinyl record has historically served as the main carrier of the emblem, and many label logos still retain a visual connection to the round format. The brands in this section cover the entire spectrum, from the “big three” divisions of Universal, Sony, and Warner to micro-labels that release a few hundred copies.
