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{{Short description|US record label}} {{Short description|US record label}}
{{Distinguish|Universal Music Group|Universal Records (Philippines)}} {{For|its parent corporation|Universal Music Group}}
{{for|the short-lived country music label|Universal Records (1988)}}
{{Infobox record label <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Music --> {{Infobox record label <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Music -->
| name = Universal Records | name = Universal Records
| image = Universal Records logo.png | image = Universal Records logo.svg
| image_size = 180px | image_size = 180px
| parent = ] | parent = ]
| founded = {{start date and age|1995}} (as ]) | founded = {{start date and age|1995}} (as ])
| defunct = {{end date and age|2005}}
| founder = {{hlist|]|]}} | founder = {{hlist|]|]}}
| status = Defunct | status = Inactive
| distributor = {{ubl|]|{{small|(In the US)}}|]|{{small|(Outside the US)}}|]/] {{small|(Reissues)}}}} | distributor = {{ubl|]|{{small|(In the US)}}|]|{{small|(Outside the US)}}|]/] {{small|(Reissues)}}}}
| genre = Various | genre = Various
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}} }}


'''Universal Records''' was a ] owned by ] and operated as part of the ]. The label has been dormant since 2005, due to ] and ] being formed and taking all of the artists from it. Those labels were eventually combined to form the latest iteration of ]. '''Universal Records''' was a ] owned by ] and operated as part of the ]. The label has been dormant since 2006, due to ] and ] being formed and taking all of the artists from it. Those labels were eventually combined to form the latest iteration of ].

As of 2023, the label remains dormant but has been credited as a copyright-holder under a few present-day releases.


==History== ==History==
Founded in 1995 as ], the label would ultimately begin to thrive the following year when its name was changed to Universal Records to complement the branding overhaul of the ] structure since ] was purchased from ] by ]. The label, which is actually the ''second'' incarnation (the first one was a short-lived underground imprint of ] that existed from 1988 to 1989){{citation needed|date=May 2017}} was created by former ] chairman Doug Morris (who now heads ]) and ], who became its president. Founded in 1995 as ], the label would ultimately begin to thrive the following year when its name was changed to Universal Records to complement the branding overhaul of the ] structure since ] was purchased from ] by ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Media Giants - Vivendi Universal {{!}} Merchants Of Cool {{!}} FRONTLINE {{!}} PBS |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/cool/giants/vivendi.html |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=www.pbs.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Fabrikant |first=Geraldine |date=1995-04-10 |title=THE MCA SALE: THE DEAL; Seagram Puts the Finishing Touches on Its $5.7 Billion Acquisition of MCA |work=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/10/business/mca-sale-deal-seagram-puts-finishing-touches-its-5.7-billion-acquisition-mca.html |access-date=2023-12-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Bates |first1=James |last2=Eller |first2=Claudia |date=1995-04-10 |title=Seagram Signs Deal to Buy 80% of MCA : Hollywood: Firm agrees to pay Matsushita $5.7 billion for controlling interest. Future of Wasserman, Sheinberg remains unclear. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-04-10-mn-53050-story.html |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> The label, which is actually the ''second'' incarnation (the first ] was a short-lived underground imprint of ] that existed from 1988 to 1989){{citation needed|date=May 2017}} was created by former ] chairman and CEO ] and ] (founder of ]), who became its president.

In 1996, to complement the MCA renaming into Universal, MCA Music Entertainment Group was also rebranded into what is known today as ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Busch |first=Anita M. |date=1996-12-10 |title=A whole new U for MCA |url=https://variety.com/1996/scene/vpage/a-whole-new-u-for-mca-1117466464/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> With that in place, Universal Records was to operate under the newly renamed UMG banner.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bates |first=James |date=1996-12-10 |title=Name Dropping : Parent Firm Won't Be 'MCA' Anymore |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-12-10-fi-7695-story.html |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

Universal Records had success in breaking new artists, including the multi-platinum debut of ], ], ], ] and the ]. Glass formed relationships with independent record labels such as Kedar Entertainment and Mojo Records.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}} Universal also brought in and took over ] following founder ]'s departure. Following ]'s dropping from the imprint in 1997, Universal folded Uptown in 1999.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cochrane |first=Naima |date=2018-06-01 |title=Remembering Uptown Records: the First Lifestyle Label |url=https://theboombox.com/remembering-uptown-records-the-first-lifestyle-label/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=The Boombox |language=en}}</ref>

] based record company ], led by ] and ], signed a three-year $30 million distribution deal with Universal Records in March 1998.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-21 |title=How No Limit and Cash Money Records Made the Deals of a Lifetime |url=https://trapital.co/2022/03/21/ciroc-obama-two-parts-vodka-one-part-diddy/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Trapital |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Greenburg |first=Zack O'Malley |title=Can Cash Money, The Label That Launched Drake and Nicki Minaj, Strike Platinum Again? |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2019/02/28/can-cash-money-the-label-that-launched-drake-and-nicki-minaj-strike-platinum-again/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Young Money co-founder Birdman shakes hands on a $30 million deal with Universal. |url=https://www.capitalxtra.com/features/lists/richest-hip-hop-deals/birdman-universal/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Capital XTRA |language=en}}</ref> Under the terms of the deal, the Williams were given a $3 million advance each year and a credit of $1.5 million for each of the up to six artists that they had at the time. After recouping, Universal Records would retain 15% of profits from album sales, while Cash Money retained 85% as well as ownership of all master recordings.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/the-6-biggest-moment-cash-money-signs-with-universal/|title=The #6 Biggest Moment: Cash Money Signs With Universal|date=7 February 2008 |access-date= June 2, 2022}}</ref> Cash Money's first success under Universal was ]'s November 1998 release, '']''. The album peaked at number nine on the ] and would ultimately go on to be certified quadruple platinum in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bowser |first=Edward |date=2023-11-03 |title=1998 Rewind: Remembering Juvenile's 400 Degreez |url=https://www.soulinstereo.com/2023/11/1998-rewind-remembering-juveniles-400-degreez.html |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Soul In Stereo |language=en-US}}</ref> Cash Money and Universal also launched ]'s career with his November 1999 album '']'', which was a top three ''Billboard'' 200 album and later certified platinum in America.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Micah |date=2019-07-31 |title='Tha Block Is Hot' Is Lil Wayne's Superhero Origin Story |url=https://www.theringer.com/music/2019/7/31/20748073/lil-wayne-block-is-hot-retrospective-1999-music-week |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=The Ringer |language=en}}</ref>

On December 10, 1998, Seagram completed its seven-month $10.6 billion plan to acquire ], merging its music division of labels with UMG, helping both divisions combine operations together under the biggest music recording company.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Seagram buys PolyGram - May 21, 1998 |url=https://money.cnn.com/1998/05/21/deals/tropicana/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=money.cnn.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Seagrams completes PolyGram acquisition - Dec. 10, 1998 |url=https://money.cnn.com/1998/12/10/companies/seagram/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=money.cnn.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Petrikin |first1=Benedict Carver,Chris |last2=Carver |first2=Benedict |last3=Petrikin |first3=Chris |date=1998-12-11 |title=U takes a giant gulp |url=https://variety.com/1998/biz/news/u-takes-a-giant-gulp-1117489355/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> On ] 1998, Universal Records was pooled together with then-PolyGram label ] and fellow MCA label ] to form ];<ref>{{Cite web |last=Philips |first=Chuck |date=1998-12-10 |title=Merger Puts Seagram at Top of Music Charts |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-dec-10-fi-52395-story.html |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Motown was previously brought under UMG during its preceding days as MCA Inc. It was a subsidiary of ] and minority-owned by Boston Ventures until 1991.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1991-05-15 |title=MCA Is Sued By Motown |work=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/15/business/mca-is-sued-by-motown.html |access-date=2023-12-14}}</ref> To start the ] in 1999, Universal Motown Republic Group became one of the three new music units under UMG alongside ] and ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Special Report: PolyGram-Universal Merger Bad News For Artists? |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/8zt5hd/special-report-polygram-universal-merger-bad-news-for-artists |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818200905/https://www.mtv.com/news/8zt5hd/special-report-polygram-universal-merger-bad-news-for-artists |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 18, 2022 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=MTV |language=en}}</ref>

In 2001, after the absorption of ] into ],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oppelaar |first=Justin |date=2001-10-07 |title=Priority folded into Capitol |url=https://variety.com/2001/music/news/priority-folded-into-capitol-1117853741/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> ] was signed a distribution deal with Universal and renamed "The New No Limit".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fiasco |first=Lance |date=2001-11-28 |title=Master P Explains Why The Time Was Right To Switch To Universal |url=https://idobi.com/news/master-p-explains-why-the-time-was-right-to-switch-to-universal/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=idobi Network |language=en-US}}</ref> However, this deal failed as various releases by ], ], ] and ] did not meet commercial expectations. No Limit cut ties with Universal in 2004, a year after filing for bankruptcy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-03-26 |title=What Hip-Hop Gets Wrong About Master P and No Limit |url=https://trapital.co/2019/03/26/what-hip-hop-gets-wrong-about-master-p-and-no-limit/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Trapital |language=en-US}}</ref>

], founded by ], signed a three-year marketing and distribution deal with Universal Records in February 2003, following its departure from ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://idobi.com/news/pdiddy-inks-universal-deal-wont-sell-label/|title=P.Diddy Inks Universal Deal, Won't Sell Label|date=7 February 2003 |access-date= June 9, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Holloway |first=Lynette |date=2003-02-08 |title=P. Diddy Signs 3-Year Deal With Universal Records |work=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/08/business/p-diddy-signs-3-year-deal-with-universal-records.html |access-date=2023-12-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |author=Billboard Staff |date=2003-02-06 |title=Bad Boy Confirms Universal Pact |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/bad-boy-confirms-universal-pact-72421/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> Universal and Bad Boy released ]'s September 2003 album, '']''. The album was ultimately certified gold by the ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Denise |date=2003-12-05 |title=MTV brings back Da Band, Combs for a third season |url=https://variety.com/2003/music/markets-festivals/mtv-brings-back-da-band-combs-for-a-third-season-1117896643/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> Albums under this deal that followed include the ] to '']'', ]'s ], ] '']'', ]' '']'' and ]'s ]. In 2005, Bad Boy switched distribution from Universal to ] before the deal could be fulfilled.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Warner Music Takes 50% Stake In P. Diddy's Bad Boy Records |url=https://www.forbes.com/2005/04/15/0415autofacescan03.html |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-04-15 |title=P. Diddy, Warner Music ink joint venture |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna7507619 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref>


The label later had more success with acts like ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. In the summer of 2004, Universal had a big success with ]'s single, "]", which debuted at number one on the ] that August.<ref>{{Cite magazine |author=Billboard Staff |date=2004-08-12 |title=Hot 100: 'Lean Back' Rises To The Top |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/hot-100-lean-back-rises-to-the-top-66954/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |author=Billboard Staff |date=2004-08-19 |title='Lean Back' Gets Comfy At No. 1 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/lean-back-gets-comfy-at-no-1-66853/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>
Universal Records had success in breaking new artists, including the multi-platinum debut of ], ], ], ] and the ]. Glass formed relationships with independent record labels as Kedar Entertainment and Mojo Records.


By 2005, Universal was reaching its downfall, even though Cash Money kept its prophecy leading, but its success was short-lived. On New Year's Eve 2005, Universal Records was merged with Republic Records to become Universal Republic Records.<ref name="Republic Records">{{Cite web |date=2021-01-06 |title=Republic Records |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/companies/universal-music-group/republic-records/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Music Business Worldwide |language=en-US}}</ref> Motown (as a standalone label) was renamed ].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Leight |first=Elias |date=2017-07-10 |title=How Motown Got Its Groove Back |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/how-motown-records-got-its-groove-back-199011/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> Therefore, artists under Motown, as well as hip hop and R&B acts under Universal were combined together under Universal Motown, with the rest being transferred to Universal Republic, which would later be reverted back to Republic Records in 2012,<ref name="Republic Records"/> a year after Universal Motown was changed back to Motown, which itself would be moved to Island Def Jam.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Christman |first=Ed |date=2011-07-26 |title=Motown Update: Label to Share Resources With Island Def Jam |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/motown-update-label-to-share-resources-with-island-def-jam-1176944/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> As a result, the Universal Motown Republic Group was disbanded in the summer of 2011 during a reorganization at Universal Music Group,<ref>{{Cite magazine |author=Billboard Staff |date=2011-06-17 |title=Universal Motown Republic and Island Def Jam Announce New Structure, Layoffs Taking Place Today |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/universal-motown-republic-and-island-def-jam-announce-new-structure-1177427/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> which was under the leadership of ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morris |first=Chris |date=2011-03-09 |title=Lucian Grainge named UMG chair/CEO |url=https://variety.com/2011/music/news/lucian-grainge-named-umg-chair-ceo-1118033661/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>
] based record company ], led by ] and ], signed a three-year $30 million distribution deal with Universal Records. Under the terms of the deal, the Williams were given a $2 million advance each year and a credit of $1.5 million for each of the up to six artists that they had at the time. After recouping, Universal Records would retain 20% of profits from album sales, while Cash Money retained 80% as well as ownership of all master recordings. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/the-6-biggest-moment-cash-money-signs-with-universal/|title=The #6 Biggest Moment: Cash Money Signs With Universal|access-date= June 2, 2022}}</ref> Cash Money's first success under Universal was ]'s November 1998 release, '']''. The album peaked at number 9 on the ] and would ultimately go on to sell over five million copies worldwide. Cash Money artist ] also released his first album, '']'' under Universal on November 2, 1999. Tha Block Is Hot peaked in the top 3 on the Billboard Top 200 and would go on to be certified Platinum by the RIAA.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://y105music.com/drake-promises-lil-wayne-collab/|title=Drake Promises to Collab With Lil Wayne on New Music|author=C. VERNON COLEMAN II|date=May 2, 2020|access-date=May 20, 2020}}</ref><ref name="BB200">{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fwgEAAAAMBAJ&q=tha+block+is+hot+229%2C500&pg=PA29|title=Billboard|date=November 20, 1999|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=lil+wayne&ti=&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section|title=RIAA Certifications - Lil Wayne|access-date=September 29, 2020}}</ref> As of June 2012, the album has sold 1.4 million copies in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/482379/cash-money-the-billboard-cover-story|title=Cash Money: The Billboard Cover Story|website=billboard.com}}</ref>


It was also the distributor of ] and ] in the United States. Distribution switched to ] and ] respectively after the label's dissolution. Island's operation in the United Kingdom, in 2013, would be absorbed into ], which, itself, would be rebranded in 2020 as ],<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Flanagan |first=Andrew |date=2013-03-18 |title=Universal Music UK Announces Launch of Virgin EMI Records |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/universal-music-uk-announces-launch-of-virgin-emi-1552454/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Aswad |first=Jem |date=2020-06-16 |title=Universal Relaunches EMI Records as Flagship U.K. Label |url=https://variety.com/2020/biz/news/universal-relaunches-emi-records-1234636944/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Virgin EMI rebrands as EMI, Rebecca Allen appointed as label president |url=https://www.musicweek.com/labels/read/virgin-emi-rebrands-as-emi-rebecca-allen-appointed-as-label-president/080102 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=www.musicweek.com |language=en}}</ref> taking over distribution for Republic UK.
The label had successes with acts like ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. In 1999, Universal Records was pooled together with ] and ] to form ].


{{As of|2023|December}}, Universal Records is currently inactive as its artists would later be drafted to Republic Records. Motown is currently under the ],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Puccio |first=Anthony |date=2023-02-17 |title=Motown Records is No Longer an Independent Company |url=https://boardroom.tv/motown-records-capitol-music-group/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Boardroom |language=en-US}}</ref> which it has been a part of since 2014 following another UMG disbandment of the Island Def Jam Music Group.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Halperin |first=Shirley |date=2014-04-01 |title=Island Def Jam Motown Reorganizes, Barry Weiss Steps Down |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/island-def-jam-motown-reorganizes-barry-weiss-steps-down-6029454/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> Therefore, reissues of releases under the Universal Records, Universal Republic or Universal Motown names will be handled by Republic and Motown respectively on behalf of ].
⚫ There have been unrelated Universal Records labels in ] and the ]. Because of the unrelated label in the Philippines owning the rights to the ] name in that country, parent company ] does business there as ], Inc., using UMG's ].


⚫ There have been unrelated labels in ] and the ], taking the "Universal Records" name. Because of an unrelated label in the Philippines owning the rights to the ] name in that country, parent company ] did business there as MCA Music, Inc., using UMG's ]. In 2021, MCA Music was renamed ].{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}
It was also the distributor of ] in the United States. Distribution switched to ] and ] after the label's dissolution.


== Affiliated labels == == Affiliated labels ==
Affiliated labels included Celtic Heartbeat Records, co-founded by U2 manager ].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19950316&id=T3AaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8SwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5814,611145 |title=The Milwaukee Journal - Google News Archive Search |last=Tina maples |work=news.google.com |year=2013 |access-date=25 April 2013}}</ref><ref name=celtic> Affiliated labels included Celtic Heartbeat Records, co-founded by U2 manager ].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19950316&id=T3AaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8SwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5814,611145 |title=The Milwaukee Journal - Google News Archive Search |last=Tina maples |work=news.google.com |year=2013 |access-date=25 April 2013}}</ref><ref name=celtic>
</ref> formerly affiliated with ], and ] (UMRG). ]'s '']'' was Celtic Heartbeat's first album to sell more than a million copies.<ref name=celtic/> </ref> formerly affiliated with ], and ] (UMRG). ]'s '']'' was Celtic Heartbeat's first album to sell more than a million copies.<ref name=celtic/>


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Latest revision as of 18:39, 16 December 2024

US record label For its parent corporation, see Universal Music Group. Record label
Universal Records
Parent companyUniversal Music Group
Founded1995; 29 years ago (1995) (as Rising Tide Records)
Founder
StatusInactive
Distributor(s)
GenreVarious
Country of originU.S.
LocationNew York City, New York, U.S.

Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group. The label has been dormant since 2006, due to Universal Motown and Universal Republic Records being formed and taking all of the artists from it. Those labels were eventually combined to form the latest iteration of Republic Records.

As of 2023, the label remains dormant but has been credited as a copyright-holder under a few present-day releases.

History

Founded in 1995 as Rising Tide Records, the label would ultimately begin to thrive the following year when its name was changed to Universal Records to complement the branding overhaul of the Universal Studios structure since MCA Inc. was purchased from Matsushita Electric (now Panasonic) by Seagram. The label, which is actually the second incarnation (the first Universal Records was a short-lived underground imprint of MCA Records that existed from 1988 to 1989) was created by former Universal Music Group chairman and CEO Doug Morris and Daniel Glass (founder of Glassnote Records), who became its president.

In 1996, to complement the MCA renaming into Universal, MCA Music Entertainment Group was also rebranded into what is known today as Universal Music Group. With that in place, Universal Records was to operate under the newly renamed UMG banner.

Universal Records had success in breaking new artists, including the multi-platinum debut of Erykah Badu, Billie Myers, Goldfinger, Akon and the Lost Boyz. Glass formed relationships with independent record labels such as Kedar Entertainment and Mojo Records. Universal also brought in and took over Uptown Records following founder Andre Harrell's departure. Following Heavy D's dropping from the imprint in 1997, Universal folded Uptown in 1999.

New Orleans, Louisiana based record company Cash Money Records, led by Ronald "Slim" Williams and Bryan "Baby/Birdman" Williams, signed a three-year $30 million distribution deal with Universal Records in March 1998. Under the terms of the deal, the Williams were given a $3 million advance each year and a credit of $1.5 million for each of the up to six artists that they had at the time. After recouping, Universal Records would retain 15% of profits from album sales, while Cash Money retained 85% as well as ownership of all master recordings. Cash Money's first success under Universal was Juvenile's November 1998 release, 400 Degreez. The album peaked at number nine on the Billboard 200 and would ultimately go on to be certified quadruple platinum in the United States. Cash Money and Universal also launched Lil Wayne's career with his November 1999 album Tha Block Is Hot, which was a top three Billboard 200 album and later certified platinum in America.

On December 10, 1998, Seagram completed its seven-month $10.6 billion plan to acquire PolyGram, merging its music division of labels with UMG, helping both divisions combine operations together under the biggest music recording company. On New Year's Eve 1998, Universal Records was pooled together with then-PolyGram label Motown Records and fellow MCA label Republic Records to form Universal Motown Republic Group; Motown was previously brought under UMG during its preceding days as MCA Inc. It was a subsidiary of MCA Records and minority-owned by Boston Ventures until 1991. To start the New Year in 1999, Universal Motown Republic Group became one of the three new music units under UMG alongside Interscope Geffen A&M Records and The Island Def Jam Music Group.

In 2001, after the absorption of Priority Records into EMI, No Limit Records was signed a distribution deal with Universal and renamed "The New No Limit". However, this deal failed as various releases by Master P, Romeo, 504 Boyz and Choppa did not meet commercial expectations. No Limit cut ties with Universal in 2004, a year after filing for bankruptcy.

Bad Boy Entertainment, founded by Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, signed a three-year marketing and distribution deal with Universal Records in February 2003, following its departure from Arista Records. Universal and Bad Boy released Da Band's September 2003 album, Too Hot for TV. The album was ultimately certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. Albums under this deal that followed include the soundtrack to Bad Boys II, Loon's self-titled album, Carl Thomas' Let's Talk About It, Mario Winans' Hurt No More and New Edition's One Love. In 2005, Bad Boy switched distribution from Universal to Atlantic Records before the deal could be fulfilled.

The label later had more success with acts like 3 Doors Down, 98 Degrees, Chamillionaire, Godsmack, Mushroomhead, Flaw, Hatebreed, Lifer, Jack Johnson, Juvenile, Nelly, Big Sha, Lil Wayne, and Mika. In the summer of 2004, Universal had a big success with Terror Squad's single, "Lean Back", which debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 that August.

By 2005, Universal was reaching its downfall, even though Cash Money kept its prophecy leading, but its success was short-lived. On New Year's Eve 2005, Universal Records was merged with Republic Records to become Universal Republic Records. Motown (as a standalone label) was renamed Universal Motown Records. Therefore, artists under Motown, as well as hip hop and R&B acts under Universal were combined together under Universal Motown, with the rest being transferred to Universal Republic, which would later be reverted back to Republic Records in 2012, a year after Universal Motown was changed back to Motown, which itself would be moved to Island Def Jam. As a result, the Universal Motown Republic Group was disbanded in the summer of 2011 during a reorganization at Universal Music Group, which was under the leadership of Lucian Grainge.

It was also the distributor of Polydor and Island UK in the United States. Distribution switched to Interscope Geffen A&M Records and Republic Records respectively after the label's dissolution. Island's operation in the United Kingdom, in 2013, would be absorbed into Virgin EMI Records, which, itself, would be rebranded in 2020 as EMI Records, taking over distribution for Republic UK.

As of December 2023, Universal Records is currently inactive as its artists would later be drafted to Republic Records. Motown is currently under the Interscope Capitol Labels Group, which it has been a part of since 2014 following another UMG disbandment of the Island Def Jam Music Group. Therefore, reissues of releases under the Universal Records, Universal Republic or Universal Motown names will be handled by Republic and Motown respectively on behalf of Universal Music Enterprises.

There have been unrelated labels in Europe and the Philippines, taking the "Universal Records" name. Because of an unrelated label in the Philippines owning the rights to the Universal Records name in that country, parent company Universal Music Group did business there as MCA Music, Inc., using UMG's former name. In 2021, MCA Music was renamed UMG Philippines.

Affiliated labels

Affiliated labels included Celtic Heartbeat Records, co-founded by U2 manager Paul McGuinness. formerly affiliated with Atlantic Records, and Universal Motown Republic Group (UMRG). Bill Whelan's Riverdance was Celtic Heartbeat's first album to sell more than a million copies.

See also

References

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