Universal Records
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Universal Records | |
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| Parent company | Universal Music Group |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Founder | Doug Morris Daniel Glass |
| Status | Active |
| Distributing label | The Universal Motown/Universal Republic Group (US) |
| Genre | Various |
| Country of origin |  United States |
| Location | New York, New York |
| Official website | Official website of Universal Records |
Universal Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group, and operates as part of The Universal Motown/Universal Republic Group.
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[edit] History
Founded in 1995 as Rising Tide Records, the following year its name was changed to Universal Records and began to thrive. The label was created by current Universal Music Group Chairman Doug Morris and Daniel Glass, who became its president.
Universal had success in breaking new artists, including the multi-platinum debut of Erykah Badu, Billie Myers, Goldfinger and the Lost Boyz. Recognizing the changing landscape of the industry, Glass strategically aligned Universal with such independent record labels as Kedar Entertainment, home to Erykah Badu, and Mojo Records, home to platinum artist Reel Big Fish and the Cherry Poppin' Daddies.
As the 1990s ended and the 2000s began, the label had notable success with acts like 3 Doors Down, 98 Degrees, Godsmack, Jack Johnson, Lindsay Lohan, Juvenile, Nelly, Lil Wayne, Tokio Hotel and Mika. Overseas, it has notable success with the band Grinspoon and Emma Bunton. In 1999, Universal Records was pooled together with Motown Records and Republic Records to form The Universal Motown/Universal Republic Group, under which it operates today. With 269 artists among its roster, the label is one of the largest in the world.
Universal Records also owns the right to the music of Abba.
There have been unrelated Universal Records labels in Europe and the Philippines. Because of the unrelated label in the Philippines owning the rights to the Universal Records name in that country; Universal Music Group does business in the Philippines as MCA Music, Inc., using UMG's former name.
