UNIVERSAL MUSIC

Background

It was founded in:

1934 when British Decca launched an American Decca Records

In 1989 the Music Entertainment Group formed

Then in 1996 the first UMG was created from the Music Entertainment Group

In 1998 the second UMG was created from PolyGram

The Headquarters are in Santa Monica, California USA

Its key people are Lucian Grainge who is the Chairman and CEO and Max Hole who is the chairman and CEO of the international Universal

It has a revenue of $4,449 million

Income of $140 million as recorded in 2010

Labels under UniversalThey have 38 sub labels outside of the United States and 10 inside the US - some include:

Universal Republic Records

Universal Music Group Nashville

Decca Label Group

The Verve Music Group

Universal Music UK

Capitol Records

Virgin Records

Motown Records

Mercury Records

Interscope

AT&M

Def Jam

Island

Divisions

Universal music group has many divisions – its most famous is the Universal Music Publishing Group which is the second largest music publishing company in the world.

On 21 September 2012 the sale of EMI to Universal Music Group was approved in Europe and the US by the European Commission and Federal Trade Commission.

Artists on Universal

Some artists signed to Universal include: Lady Gaga Lil Wayne Eminem Justin Bieber Keri Hilson Kid Cudi Enrique Iglesias Rihanna

Taylor Swift Nicki Minaj Florence & The Machine Bombay Bicycle Club Lana Del Ray LMFAO U2 The Chemical Brothers Prince Stereophonics

Lady Gaga Gaga is signed to Def jam – a label

under universal

Rolling stone named her the ‘queen of pop’

She has been known for her outrageous outfits including the meat dress which she wore to the MTV music awards in 2010

Her albums mostly have positive reviews

It has been said that she has a unique place in pop music

She is often in the news with a new outfit, album, single, stunt which gains universal a lot of publicity

Lady Gaga

She has donated to numerous charities and attended many campaigns

She calls her fans her little monsters and got a tattoo of it in dedication to her fans

Gaga is a supporter of anti bullying and strongly believes in it

Gaga is a positive influence as she has been seen as a role model, self-esteem booster for her fans, fashion icon and someone who changed the music industry

Justin Bieber

Bieber was discovered from his videos on YouTube in 2008

His first album went platinum and won many awards

In 2011 Bieber made statements saying he was against abortion

Whilst was living in America he slated the health care system

In 2013 he was charged with vandalism in Brazil

Also in 2013 he upset Australian authorities over graffiti

His neighbours in Calabasas accused Bieber of reckless driving and speeding

His tour bus was raided on two occasions and a stun gun and marijuana was found

In 2014 Bieber was arrested for driving under the influence and without a license

Also in 2014 Bieber assaulted a limousine driver

Bieber is a negative influence on teens and the music industry as it gives the label bad reputation and give a bad influence on his fans.

Some controversy with Universal

• In 2006 an investigation was taken place in New York which claimed that universal bribed radio stations to play songs from performers under universal labels – in settlement the company paid $12 million to the state.

• In 2007 Universal were accused of abusing the Digital Millennium Copyright act as they forced YouTube to take down videos which involved Universal’s music

• In 2011 megaupload published a music video called the mega song with artists including Kanye west, Alicia Keys and Snoop Dogg but when it was uploaded to youtube universal requested for it to be taken down. Megaupload said that the video didn’t breach any agreements an all the artists signed agreements so requested an apology. Universal said the takedown wasn’t under the digital millennium copyright act and eventually was posted back on youtube.

Vevo

• Universal co-developed VEVO which allows free ad supported streaming of music videos at a higher quality than those on Youtube