The RIAA

The RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) works to protect the intellectual property and First Amendment rights of artists and music labels; conduct consumer, industry and technical research; and monitor and review state and federal laws, regulations and policies. The association is also responsible for certifying Gold, Platinum, Multi-Platinum and Diamond sales awards. Its members consist of record labels and distributors as explained here. Since I want to start up my own artist management/music production company, the RIAA will play a major part as it has the 4 major music labels, EMI, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, and Universal Music Group, as members of its association. I ultimately will want my artists to be signed to one of those labels or a subsidiary of one of those labels. Although it is kind of disheartening that there is only 4 major labels that controls the music industry, I still want to pursue my dream. I know that I will have to come up with something new and fresh to compete with what is already out there. Listening to the radio today, I know that the kind of artists I would like to manage is not anything like what you hear on the radio. I want to break away from the repetitive sound of today’s music and put a spin on the music that I love, which is R&B/Soul! The RIAA will also keep me up-to-date on the economic status of the music industry and also the threats to the industry. I can access charts as to the genre of music that sells the most from year to year and also the demographics that are relevant to staying relevant in this industry. It also helps in regulating the piracy threat that has plagued the industry for many years now and how piracy is the major staple that has caused the major decline in the music industry over the years. So, with me trying to break into this industry I have to take in all of that and come up with a way to not let that factor affect my business in every way that I can! I am up for the challenge because music is my first love and passion and I will do what it takes to make this work and with the RIAA providing much needed information at my disposable I know I can do this!