Universal Music Group (Industrial Context)

 UNVERSAL MUSIC GROUP

Universal Music Group, otherwise known as UMG, is the biggest music company in the world, and apart of the “Big Three,” (UMG, Sony, and Warner Music Group.) UMG owns 15 major Record Labels and is a powerhouse in the music industry. UMG owns artists from every single musical genre due to its widespread success as a multi-national conglomerate.

Below are 4 of UMG’s most popular record labels that have shaped the ownership distribution of the music industry.

INTERSCOPE RECORDS

Interscope Records was founded in the USA in the 1990s. It gained traction vastly due to its approach to the music industry being subverted in comparison to other labels, as it guaranteed artists and producers full creative control over the music being made.

Interscope Records’ artists come from the genre of mainstream Pop and Rap, with little alternative genres present in their cohort of artists. Some artists include Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish among many others. 

Interscope operates as both a record label and a talent management company, providing artists with a range of musical services including A&R, marketing, distribution, and artist development. Its company aim revolves around fostering creative freedom and supporting artists in realising their artistic vision (which has led to the discovery of some of the most influential acts across the mainstream genres) 

 Interscope's impact on the music industry is undeniable, as Interscope has consistently pushed the boundaries and challenged conventional norms, contributing to fluidity of mainstream music overtime, with new artists under Interscope changing definitions of popular music. With its dedication to artistic development and pushing boundaries, Interscope is one of the biggest subsidiary Record Labels under UMG.

CAPITOL MUSIC GROUP

Capitol Music Group is a leading subsidiary of Universal Music Group that has unique aims - to shape and nurture contemporary artists, while also aiding heritage artists that desire a longevity-based music career. For example, CMG owns contemporary artists or as they call them, “rising stars,” such as Troye Sivan and Ice Spice, whereas they also own heritage and legend artists such as The Beatles and the Bees Gees.  

Capitol Music Groups legacy has been constructed due to its longstanding establishment in the music industry, due to its early founding in 1942. Due to CMG being a highly established label, it easily aids artists with its widespread, global connections and partnerships, and also giving artists access to good and high quality marketing.CMG’s legacy has also been constructed due to its catering to mainstream genres, hyper focused on genres such as Pop, Rap, Rock, and Country. 

Capitol Music Group has proved itself as a legendary label, with a vast discography of artists that have shaped the landscape of the music industry.

ISLAND RECORDS

Island Records is a subsidiary of Universal Music Group that differs from other UMG labels due to its indie roots as a label. Started in 1959, Island Records is a Jamaican-born record label that was originally not apart of UMG until 1989. Due to its independent roots and its Caribbean origin, Island Records originally had a non-mainstream genre discography of global music, including genres of Reggae, Ska, and many others. Island records has and remains a global label in worldwide genres, and before 1989, a global force as an indie label. In the 1970s, Island Records was the largest independent record label in the world. Though, after joining UMG in 1989, island record expanded into mainstream alternative music, conquering all genres by partnering with many contemporary alt-pop artists, such as Amy Winehouse and florence and the machine. 

Island fostered and aided many global legends such as Bob Marley, U2, among others. Island has built up this discography of artists by having  a wide range of services for its artists, such as A&R, and high quality marketing, promotion and distribution of music. Island records’ aim is to “provide a platform for artists to express themselves

REPUBLIC RECORDS

Republic Records is an American Based subsidiary of UMG that was founded in 1995. Republic Records emerged as a powerhouse in the music industry in the 2000s due to its ethos of being a “full-service-label” that offers artists a range of services and partnerships to foster musical growth.

At the heart of Republic Records’ aim is the idea of  empowering artists to produce their full musical potential. To do this, Republic Records aims to create a space for artists to have free control of their artistic intention, allowing for collaborative  environment where artists can regularly collaborate. Republic aims to find new talent whilst also aiding growth for establish artists. RR has a discography for superstars under its label, for example Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, and Drake.