Who Owns the Music? Overseas sales of US recording artists are declining, but the media giants are establishing subsidiaries around the world to produce and distribute local music. Here are the top four recording artists in selected countries, with ownership information.

Country Artist Title Label Company and home base
Brazil E O Tchan E O Tchan do Brasil Universal Seagram (Canada)
Pe. Marcelo Rossi Musicas para Louvar A. Senhor Universal Seagram (Canada)
Grupo Molejo Brincadeira de Crianca Warner Time Warner (US)
Leandro & Leonardo Un Sonhador BMG Bertelsmann (Germany)

France Original Soundtrack Notre Dame de Paris Sony Sony (Japan)
Original Soundtrack Titanic Sony Sony (Japan)
Louise Attaque Louise Attaque Sony Sony (Japan)
Celine Dion S'il Suffisait d'Aimer Sony Sony (Japan)

Japan B'z B'z The Best Pleasure Rooms Records Being, Inc. (Japan)
B'z B'z The Best Treasure Rooms Records Being, Inc. (Japan)
Every Little Thing Time to Destination Avex Avex Group (Japan)
Yumi Matsutoya Neue Music Toshiba/EMI EMI (Japan)

Mexico Los Temerarios Como te Recuerdo Fonovisa Televisa (Mexico)
Mecano Ana, Jose, Nacho BMG Bertelsmann (Germany)
Juan Gabriel Celebracion de los 25 años BMG Bertelsmann (Germany)
Mana Sueños Liquidos Warner Time Warner (US)

Poland Original Soundtrack Titanic Sony Sony (Japan)
Celine Dion Let's Talk About Love Sony Sony (Japan)
Modern Talking Back for Good BMG Bertelsmann (Germany)
Era Ameno Universal Seagram (Canada)

Russia Depeche Mode Ultra Mute Mute (UK)
Enigma Le Roi Est Mort, Vive le Roi! EMI EMI
George Michael Older EMI EMI
Paul McCartney Flaming Pie EMI EMI

South Africa Whitney Houston My Love Is Your Love Arista Bertelsmann (North America)
Boyzone By Request Polygram Seagram (Canada)
Vengaboys Greatest Hits Bonus EMI EMI (South Africa)
Ricky Martin Ricky Martin Sony/Columbia Sony (Japan)

South Korea Seo Tae-Ji Take 5 Samsung Samsung
H.O.T. Set a Line (vol. 4) Shinnara (South Korea)
Ryu Seung-Joon Ryu Seung-Joon 2 Seoul (South Korea)
Cool Sorrow Samsung Samsung

All sources IFPI (International Federation of Phonographic Industry) except South Africa (Bryan Pearson).
Research: Jillian K. Dunham

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