Universal Records (1995−2006)
| Universal Records | |
|---|---|
| Parent company | Universal Music Group |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Founder | Doug Morris Daniel Glass |
| Distributor(s) | 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.
History
Founded in 1995 as Rising Tide Records, the following year its name was changed to Universal Records and began to thrive. It was created by current Universal Music Group Chairman, Doug Morris, and Daniel Glass, who became its President.
The label 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, Jack Johnson, Lindsay Lohan, Juvenile, and Nelly. Overseas, it has notable success with the band Grinspoon. 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. The label is one of the largest with 250 artists on the label.