Syco Music
Parent companySony Music UK
Founded2002
FounderSimon Cowell
Defunct2020
Distributor(s)Sony Music
GenreVarious
Country of originUnited Kingdom

Syco Music, originally and formerly S Records, was a division of Syco Entertainment founded by British entrepreneur and record executive Simon Cowell, at the time in employment at Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG) that was active from 2002 to 2020.

The label label oversaw music releases by Robson & Jerome, Five, Westlife and Teletubbies. A year later, BMG, now named Sony BMG, bought Cowell's share in both Syco Music and Syco Television. Later in 2010, Cowell and Sony Music entered a joint venture agreement that would see Cowell and Sony each own 50% of the new Syco Entertainment company which encompassed both the previous Syco TV and Syco Music divisions. The brand had multiple well-known acts signed such as Fifth Harmony, Camila Cabello, One Direction, Little Mix and CNCO. In July 2020, Sony sold the rights to the television formats and assets back to Cowell, effectively divesting all of Syco's non-music divisions. As part of the venture, Syco Music, its current roster and back catalog remains with Sony Music as a wholly owned subsidiary. However, as of September 2020, and according to industry magazine Music Week, the label is now defunct, with staff either leaving or being redeployed elsewhere within Sony Music Group.

History

Syco Music had offices in London and Los Angeles and was home to several artists. As S Records, the company oversaw music releases by Robson & Jerome, Five, Westlife and Teletubbies.[1][2][3]

Later following television franchises, Syco had the exclusive right to sign winners and finalists of The X Factor and Got Talent. Susan Boyle's debut album, I Dreamed a Dream, has sold over 9 million copies, making it one of the best selling releases of the last decade and Syco's most successful release to date.[4] Between 2004 and 2009, Il Divo achieved four multi-million selling albums and in 2007, Leona Lewis became one of the most successful talent show winners when her second single, "Bleeding Love", propelled the album Spirit to 9 million global sales.[5]

In 2010, Syco began diversifying by adding producer/singer-songwriter Labrinth.[6] Savan Kotecha, who had been writing for Syco acts for several years, also became an A&R Director and set up a joint venture, Kanani Songs.[7] Syco also began forming closer partnerships with other Sony Music Entertainment UK labels. For the first time, Syco entered into an agreement with Columbia Records that would see them work together to launch the career of a The X Factor winner - Matt Cardle.[8] That same year, Sony Music bought Cowell's share of Syco, for around £27 million.[9][10]

On 15 July 2020, it was announced that Cowell would buy Sony's stake in Syco Entertainment; Sony Music will retain Syco Music's artists and back catalogue.[11][12] By September 2020, managing director Tyler Brown and head of digital Tom Hoare had left. Music Week reported that label is no longer operational and is now defunct; artist staff have been redeployed elsewhere within Sony Music, including at sister label RCA Records, or have left completely.[13]

Logos

Artists

Some of the artists signed by Cowell, such as band Westlife, released their music through S Records, another company formed by Cowell whose share he then sold to BMG in 2003.[14] Syco Music started releasing music as a label in 2004.[15]

Artists at time of closure

Former artists

Syco Music and its artists have been the targets of illegal hacking on several separate occasions. In 2009 ahead of the release of Leona Lewis's second album Echo, a number of unfinished demos and leftover songs from the project leaked online. An investigation was launched by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), working with the record label and police to identify those responsible.[32][33] Alexandra Burke was also targeted, having two demo versions of songs from her debut album Overcome leak before the album's release.[34] At the end of March 2010 it was reported that Syco had suffered once again from computer hackers who managed to obtain 14 of Burke's previously unheard studio recordings as well as 26 from Lewis.[35]

Following the second incident of leaks, Cowell contacted the FBI to track down those responsible. Included in the leaks was a newly recorded version of Burke's "All Night Long" featuring American rapper Pitbull, which was tipped to be the singer's third single in March 2010.[36] According to Burke, the songs were leaked by "Two little boys in Germany on work experience", working for Syco.[37] It was later revealed in 2011 that songs recorded for Echo were targeted by the German hacker, Deniz A., also known as DJ Stolen. In July 2010, the Rasch law firm logged a criminal complaint against DJ Stolen for "constantly placing hacked songs on the internet". Amongst those songs listed in the complaint was one called "Pulse", described at the time as a new recording by Lewis.[38] DJ Stolen was jailed for 18 months in June 2011.[39]

In 2011, Syco found itself being taken to court for plagiarism after it was reported that a new Lewis song "Collide" significantly copied "Fade Into Darkness", a 2010 song by Swedish house music DJ Avicii. The DJ took both artist and label to the British High Court[40] just prior to its release. However, the case was resolved out of court by releasing the song as a joint single between both artists on 4 September 2011.[41][42] In February 2013, it was announced that One Direction would be releasing a cover version of "One Way or Another" and "Teenage Kicks" as the 2013 Comic Relief single. However, an unfinished version of the song leaked online and on 7 February 2013 Syco launched an investigation. A spokesperson told the press "It is very disappointing that the song has been leaked and we are currently investigating the matter".[43]

Controversies and criticism

Syco was the label that all X Factor winners were signed to as part of their contract for winning the show, along with other acts hand-picked by Cowell. Most of the artists who were once signed to the record label had complained about their deals with the music mogul, which often saw them making little to no money from their contracts; they were also overworked, while many had also complained about creative differences concerning the music they wanted to release.[44]

In 2021, musical twins Jedward claimed the record label Syco was 'toxic' and 'abusive'.[45] It came after news broke that The X Factor would not be returning to television, prompting the duo to reflect on their time on the show, which they appeared on back in 2009. The duo took to social media and said "Every contestant on the X Factor was a slave to the show and got paid zero while they made millions! The fact every contestant has to act like their judge mentors them! When in reality all they care about is their paycheck!."[46] Jedward also alleged that artists on the show and under Cowell's record label, Syco Music, were unable to speak freely and were blacklisted if they did. They were isolated from their families and were watched and reported on by security. They claimed that the judges on The X Factor did not actually mentor the contestants as the show made it appear.[47]

Their comments came after former X Factor contestants spoke out about the conditions they were expected to work under while signed to the label, including Rebecca Ferguson and Cher Lloyd. Lloyd took to TikTok to take a sly dig at the label, which she appeared to accuse of ‘exploiting’ her and taking all the money made by her music. Meanwhile, Ferguson met with Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport Secretary Oliver Dowden earlier that year, calling for better protection for artists in the music industry.[48]

Number-one singles

ArtistSingleYearCountries
WestlifeUnbreakable2002UK, IRE, SCO
WestlifeTonight/Miss You Nights2002IRE
WestlifeMandy2003UK, IRE, SCO
Steve BrooksteinAgainst All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)2004UK, IRE
WestlifeYou Raise Me Up2005UK, IRE, SCO
Shayne WardThat's My Goal2005UK, IRE
WestlifeThe Rose2006UK, IRE, SCO
Shayne WardNo Promises2006IRE
Leona LewisA Moment Like ThisUK, IRE
Leona LewisBleeding Love2007UK, AUS, AUT, CAN, GER, IRE, NZ, SWI, US
Shayne WardIf That's OK with YouIRE
Leon JacksonWhen You BelieveUK, IRE, SCO
Leona LewisRun2008UK, AUT, IRE
Leon JacksonDon't Call This LoveSCO
Alexandra BurkeHallelujahUK, IRE, SCO
Alexandra BurkeBad Boys2009UK, IRE, SCO
The X Factor Finalists 2009You Are Not AloneUK, IRE, SCO
Joe McElderryThe ClimbUK, IRE, SCO
Helping HaitiEverybody Hurts2010UK, IRE
Olly MursPlease Don't Let Me GoUK
Alexandra BurkeAll Night LongIRE
The X Factor Finalists 2010HeroesUK, IRE, SCO
Alexandra BurkeStart Without YouUK, SCO
Matt CardleWhen We CollideUK, IRE, SCO
Cher LloydSwagger Jagger2011UK, SCO
Jackie Evancho featuring Barbra StreisandSomewhereUS Class
Olly Murs featuring Rizzle KicksHeart Skips a BeatUK, GER, POL, SWI
One DirectionWhat Makes You BeautifulUK, IRE, MEX, SCO
Olly MursDance with Me TonightUK, SCO
The X Factor Finalists 2011 featuring JLS and One DirectionWishing on a StarUK, IRE, SCO
Little MixCannonballUK, IRE, SCO
Chris ReneYoung Homie2012NZ
Little MixWingsUK, IRE, SCO
One DirectionLive While We're YoungIRE, NZ
Olly Murs featuring Flo RidaTroublemakerUK, HUN, SCO
One DirectionLittle ThingsUK, SCO
Labrinth featuring Emeli SandéBeneath Your BeautifulUK, IRE, SCO
James ArthurImpossibleUK, IRE, POL, SCO, SPA, GRE, LUX, SLO
One DirectionOne Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)2013UK, DEN, IRE, POL, NL, SCO
Olly MursDear Darlin'AUT
One DirectionStory of My LifeDEN, FIN, IRE, NZ
Sam BaileySkyscraperUK, IRE, SCO
Ella HendersonGhost2014UK, IRE, SCO
Ben HaenowSomething I NeedUK, SCO
Fifth Harmony featuring Kid InkWorth It2015ISR, LBN, MEX
Little MixBlack MagicUK, SCO, EUR
One DirectionDrag Me DownUK, SCO, HUN, IRE, NZ, AUT, AUS
One DirectionPerfectIRE, SCO, SLOV
Fleur EastSax2016CRO, HUN
Fifth Harmony featuring Ty Dolla $ignWork from HomeNZ, NL, CRO
James ArthurSay You Won't Let GoUK, SCO, IRE, AUS, EUR, SWE, NZ, NL, PHI
Little MixShout Out to My ExUK, SCO, IRE, EUR, PHI
Artists for GrenfellBridge over Troubled Water2017UK, SCO
Camila Cabello featuring Young ThugHavanaAUS, SCO, UK, IRL, CAN, ISR, SLO, LTV, CZ R, EUR (digital), HUN, US, ECU, FRA, GRE, MEX, PAR, PHI, POL,
Camila CabelloNever Be the Same2018BEL, CRO
Little Mix feat. Nicki MinajWoman Like Me2018ISR
Dalton Harris feat. James ArthurThe Power of Love2018SCO

References

  1. David Nolan (2 September 2010). Simon Cowell - The Man Who Changed the World. John Blake. ISBN 978-1844549870.
  2. Chas Newkey-Burden (10 October 2009). Simon Cowell: The Unauthorized Biography. Michael O' Mara Books. ISBN 9781843174455.
  3. Shaina C. Indovino (2014). Simon Cowell: From the Mailroom to Idol Fame. Mason Crest. ISBN 9781422293577.
  4. "CNY singer lends voice to Susan Boyle's hit holiday album - News Channel 9 WSYR". 9wsyr.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2022. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
  5. "BMG - Comprehensive Management of Music Rights for Songwriters and Recording Artists". bmg.com. 9 March 2010. Archived from the original on 26 December 2010.
  6. 1 2 "Labrinth Signs To Simon Cowell " RWD: The UK's biggest and best youth lifestyle title; fashion, games, events, gadgets, music and more". Rwdmag.com. 15 June 2010. Archived from the original on 19 June 2010. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
  7. "Savan Kotecha". Kanani Songs. Archived from the original on 14 January 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
  8. "Double deal for Matt Cardle". Heart. Archived from the original on 7 April 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
  9. Patrick Foster (23 December 2011). "Simon Cowell picks up £27m in Sony Music deal". The Guardian.
  10. "Sony Music Entertainment and Simon Cowell Launch New Global Venture: 'Syco'". PR Newswire. 19 January 2010.
  11. White, Peter (15 July 2020). "Simon Cowell To Take Full Control Of 'Got Talent' Producer Syco Entertainment, Buys Out Sony Music's Stake". Deadline. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  12. Ingham, Tim (15 July 2020). "SONY SELLS SYCO TV Formats to Simon Cowell – But Keeps Music Catalog". Music Business Worldwide. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  13. Sutherland, Mark (28 September 2020). "Syco analysis: The low-key demise of Simon Cowell's former label". Music Week. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  14. "S Records". Discogs. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  15. "Syco Music". Discogs. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  16. "James Arthur signs with Simon Cowell's Label Again". Digital Spy. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
  17. Walsh, Collette (13 June 2014). "Britain's Got Talent winners Collabro land Syco deal and Simon Cowell is delighted". The Mirror. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  18. Griffin, Louise (30 November 2019). "X Factor: Celebrity crowns Megan McKenna winner after epic final show". Metro. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  19. "X Factor: Can The Band winners Real Like You be successful?". BBC News. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  20. "Simon Cowell drops 'BGT' stars Loveable Rogues from Syco label". Digital Spy. 18 October 2013.
  21. Corner, Lewis (3 June 2014). "Leona Lewis leaves Simon Cowell label, joins Island Records". Digital Spy. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  22. Guardian music (16 February 2015). "Sam Bailey dropped by Syco 14 months after X Factor win". the Guardian. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  23. "Fourth-place finishers to play Las Vegas first". Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  24. Harp, Justin (28 January 2016). "The X Factor winner Ben Haenow exits Simon Cowell's Syco Music record label: 'It's the right time to move on'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  25. James, Sarah (25 February 2018). "X Factor star Ella Henderson has parted ways with Syco four years after 'Ghost' went to No. 1". Digital Spy. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  26. "Kurrent Music. A Collaborative Music Blog". www.kurrentmusic.com.
  27. Peters, Mitchell (11 July 2020). "Louis Tomlinson and Syco Part Ways: 'I'm Really Excited for the Future'". Billboard. United States: Eldridge Industries. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  28. "One Direction's Louis Tomlinson Signs With Simon Cowell's Syco Label". Variety. 7 June 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  29. "Dalton Harris on Twitter:"Oh and yes I lost the contract.""/Twitter". Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  30. "'He's a true artist': Syco's Guy Langley on Tokio Myers' breakthrough success".
  31. "Has Simon Cowell's Syco Music Folded?".
  32. "Piracy officers probe Leona leak". BBC News Online. 19 August 2009. Retrieved 20 August 2009.
  33. Otto, Sasjkia (19 August 2009). "Unreleased Leona Lewis tracks leaked online". The Telegraph. London: Telegraph Media Group Limited. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2009.
  34. Nissim, Mayer (14 July 2009). "Music - News - Label 'upset by Burke demo leaks'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 16 September 2009.
  35. Catriona, Whiteman (27 March 2010). "40 more lewis and burke tracks leak online". Digital Spy. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  36. Lu, Anne (22 March 2010). "Simon Cowell Asks FBI's Help In Tracking Down Music Hackers". All Headline News. Archived from the original on 10 July 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  37. Love, Ryan (15 June 2010). "Alexandra Burke reveals leak source". London: Digital Spy. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  38. Dahlkamp, Jürgen (27 January 2011). "Lady Gaga, Ke$ha and the German Hacker Heist". Der Spiegel. Retrieved 29 January 2011.
  39. Corner, Lewis (20 June 2011). "Lady GaGa, Leona Lewis hacker jailed for 18 months". Digital Spy. Retrieved 20 June 2011.
  40. "Leona Lewis Accused of Plagiarism on 'Collide'". PopCrush. 19 July 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  41. Sabbagh, Dan (8 August 2011). "X Factor winner faces high court battle to release new single". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
  42. "Global Singing Superstar Leona Lewis Is Back Record-breaking Songstress Showcases Brand New Sound". Syco Music, RCA Records & Sony Music via DawBell.com. 15 July 2011. Archived from the original on 17 June 2013. Retrieved 15 July 2011.
  43. "One Direction single leak to be investigated by Simon Cowell's Syco". Digital Spy. 7 February 2013.
  44. "Here's Why Anyone Who Signed With Simon Cowell's Record Label Ended Up Despising Him". TheThings. 7 October 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  45. "Simon Cowell's Record Label Syco Outed For Being 'Toxic' And 'Abusive' As Jedward Expose Secrets". www.unilad.co.uk. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  46. "Simon Cowell's Record Label Syco Outed For Being 'Toxic' And 'Abusive' As Jedward Expose Secrets". www.unilad.co.uk. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  47. Coleman, Kali (6 April 2021). "These "X Factor" Alums Just Slammed Simon Cowell on Twitter". Best Life. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  48. "Simon Cowell's Record Label Syco Outed For Being 'Toxic' And 'Abusive' As Jedward Expose Secrets". www.unilad.co.uk. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.