Real World is also the blanket name of Peter Gabriel's multi-media empire, and in particular Real World records. It is the reason why Peter Gabriel's album releases are few and far between - he spends a lot of time running Real World.

Founded in 1989, the record label specialises in world music, with the most famous acts being the Afro Celt Sound System, Ananda Shankar, Sheila Chandra, Papa Wemba, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and so forth. The label's releases are usually filed away under the 'New Age' or 'World' sections of record shops, which is a shame.

Real World also includes the expensive, state-of-the-art Real World studio complex in Box, Wiltshire, WOMAD, and a music publishing arm.