Universal Music Group is a global music company founded in 1934. It is headquartered in Santa Monica, California and has Lucian Grainge as Chairman and CEO. Universal Music Group owns numerous record labels such as Capitol Records, Motown Records, and Def Jam. It has over 38 sub-labels outside the US and 10 within. Universal Music Group also owns Universal Music Publishing Group, the second largest music publisher. Some popular artists on Universal Music Group labels include Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, and Rihanna.

1. UNIVERSAL MUSIC


2. 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

3. Labels under Universal
They have 38 sub labels outside
of the United States and 10
inside the US - some include:

Universal Republic Records
 Motown Records

Universal Music Group
Nashville
 Mercury Records

Decca Label Group
 Interscope

The Verve Music Group
 AT&M

Universal Music UK

Capitol Records

Virgin Records
 Def Jam
 Island

4. 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.

5. Artists on Universal
Some artists signed
to Universal include:
 Taylor Swift
 Lady Gaga
 Florence & The Machine
 Lil Wayne
 Bombay Bicycle Club
 Eminem
 Lana Del Ray
 Justin Bieber
 LMFAO
 Keri Hilson
 U2
 Kid Cudi
 The Chemical Brothers
 Enrique Iglesias
 Prince
 Rihanna
 Stereophonics
 Nicki Minaj

6. 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

7. 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, selfesteem booster for her fans, fashion
icon and someone who changed the
music industry

8. 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

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

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
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.

9. 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.

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