This company begs the question: Which came first, the CD or the CD player? A subsidiary of consumer electronics giant Sony Corporation of America, Sony Music Entertainment (formerly Sony BMG Music Entertainment) is the #2 recording business in the world behind Universal Music Group. It operates primarily through its stable of recording labels, such as Columbia, Epic, RCA, and Zomba Label Group and boasts an artist roster that includes Celine Dion, Alicia Keys, Bruce Springsteen, Justin Timberlake, and Usher. Sony Music also owns record distributor RED Distribution. Originally formed as a joint venture in 2004, Sony bought out Bertelsmann's 50% stake in 2008.