The Top 5 Largest Music Publishing Companies in 2024: Who They Are and What They Offer
Navigating the music industry as an independent artist involves understanding the key players that dominate the landscape, so you’ll also need to know about the top music publishing companies. Music publishing is at the heart of the industry, managing the rights to countless songs and helping artists monetize their work. As of 2024, a few giants stand out above the rest. This article ranks the largest music publishing companies in 2024, provides insight into the artists they represent, and explores what they offer to artists.
5. BMG Rights Management
BMG Rights Management is a relatively young player in the music publishing industry, having relaunched in 2008 after a major restructuring. Despite its youth, BMG has quickly risen to prominence by offering artist-friendly deals and a transparent business model. Unlike many other major players, BMG is independent, which allows it to operate differently from the traditional publishing houses linked to major labels. BMG represents a wide array of artists across genres, including well-known names like George Ezra, Bebe Rexha, and Lenny Kravitz. Their roster is diverse, reflecting their commitment to supporting both established and emerging talent. As an independent company, BMG is often seen as more accessible to artists compared to those tied to major labels. They are known for being artist-centric, which means they may be open to working with independent artists who show potential, even if they aren't yet global superstars. However, like any major player in the industry, getting signed still requires a significant level of talent and proven success.
4. Kobalt Music Group
Kobalt Music Group is recognized for revolutionizing the music publishing industry with its innovative approach to artist rights and royalties. Kobalt is independent and has positioned itself as a disruptor, offering greater transparency and control to artists. It has grown rapidly, making it one of the largest independent publishers in the world. Kobalt's roster includes some high-profile artists such as Max Martin (Writer of countless hits), Paul McCartney, and Childish Gambino. They are particularly popular among artists who value transparency and direct access to their earnings. Kobalt’s independent nature makes it attractive to independent artists, but getting signed with them is still competitive. Artists who want to join Kobalt’s roster typically need to demonstrate a strong independent following and a proven track record of success, as Kobalt tends to partner with artists who are already established or on the brink of major success.
3. Warner Chappell Music
Warner Chappell Music is the publishing arm of Warner Music Group, one of the three major record labels globally. Warner Chappell has a rich history and a massive catalog, making it a dominant force in the music publishing industry. Being part of a major label gives Warner Chappell significant influence and resources. Warner Chappell represents a vast range of artists and songwriters, including household names like Benson Boone, Teddy Swims, Dua Lipa and David Bowie. Their catalog spans multiple decades and genres, making it one of the most diverse in the industry. Being part of Warner Music Group, getting signed with Warner Chappell is competitive and typically requires an artist to have a substantial body of work and industry connections. They tend to work with artists who have already shown significant promise or have a track record of commercial success. However, for artists who manage to secure a deal, the resources and opportunities available are immense.
2. Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG)
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) is the publishing division of Universal Music Group, the world’s largest music company. UMPG is a powerhouse in the industry, managing one of the most extensive catalogs globally. They are involved in all aspects of music publishing, from signing and developing talent to handling licensing and royalty collection. UMPG's roster includes some of the biggest names in music, such as Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, The Weeknd, and Elton John. Their ability to attract and retain top-tier talent speaks to their dominance in the industry. Getting signed with UMPG is highly competitive. As part of the largest major label group, they tend to focus on artists who have already achieved a significant level of success or have substantial industry backing. For emerging artists, it can be challenging to get noticed by UMPG without a strong track record, but those who do are in a prime position to take their careers to the next level.
1. Sony Music Publishing
Sony Music Publishing, formerly known as Sony/ATV, is the largest music publisher in the world. As part of Sony Music Group, it controls an enormous catalog of songs across all genres. Sony Music Publishing is known for its extensive reach and influence in the global music publishing industry. Artists signed with Sony Music Publishing include legends like The Beatles, Amy Winehouse, Michael Jackson, and contemporary superstars like Ed Sheeran and Rihanna. Their catalog is arguably the most prestigious and valuable in the industry. As the biggest player in the industry, getting signed with Sony Music Publishing is extremely competitive. They typically sign artists who have already achieved considerable success or show exceptional potential. The resources and opportunities available to artists signed with Sony are unparalleled, but the bar to entry is correspondingly high.
Conclusion
These five companies represent the top tier of the music publishing industry in 2024. While getting signed with any of these largest music publishing companies is challenging, especially for independent artists, the potential rewards are significant. Each company offers unique advantages, whether it’s BMG’s artist-friendly approach, Kobalt’s transparency, or the vast resources of the major label-affiliated publishers.
For more insights on music career advice and how to get signed with a music publisher, explore our other articles on artist development and music publishing for independent artists. For example dive into what music publishers do in: How Music Publishing Works: A Simple Overview. Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated with the latest advice tailored specifically for independent and emerging artists.
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