# Universal Music Group

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Dutch-American music corporation

"Universal Records" redirects here. For defunct record labels with the name, see [Universal Records (1988)](/source/Universal_Records_(1988)) and [Universal Records (1995−2006)](/source/Universal_Records_(1995%E2%88%922006)). For the Chicago recording studio, see [Universal Recording Corporation](/source/Universal_Recording_Corporation). For other uses, see [Universal Records (disambiguation)](/source/Universal_Records_(disambiguation)).

"UMG" redirects here. For other uses, see [UMG (disambiguation)](/source/UMG_(disambiguation)).

Universal Music Group N.V. Operational headquarters in Santa Monica, California Formerly Decca Records (USA business) (1934–1971) MCA Records (1971–1989) MCA Music Entertainment Group (1989–1996) Type Public Traded as Euronext Amsterdam: UMG AEX component ISIN NL0015000IY2 Industry Entertainment Music Founded September 1934 Headquarters Netherlands Area served Worldwide (except for Russia & Belarus) Key people Sir Lucian Grainge (chairman & CEO) Sherry Lansing (chairwoman of the board) Services Music publishing Revenue €11.108 billion (US$14.7 billion) (2023)[1] Operating income €1.418 billion (US$1.88 billion) (2023)[1] Owners Bolloré family (28.38%)[a] Tencent Music (11.42%) Others (63.2)[2] Number of employees 8,319 (2018)[3] Divisions List of Universal Music Group labels

**Universal Music Group N.V.**[4] (often abbreviated as **UMG** and referred to as **Universal Music Group** or **Universal Music**) is a Dutch-American [music corporation](/source/Music_industry) under [Dutch law](/source/Law_of_the_Netherlands). UMG's corporate headquarters are located in [Hilversum](/source/Hilversum), Netherlands, and its operational headquarters are located in [Santa Monica, California](/source/Santa_Monica%2C_California).[5][6] As the biggest music company in the world,[7] it is one of the "[Big Three](/source/Record_label#Major_labels)" record labels, along with [Sony Music Entertainment](/source/Sony_Music) and [Warner Music Group](/source/Warner_Music_Group). [Tencent](/source/Tencent) acquired ten percent of Universal Music Group in March 2020 for €3 billion[8][9][10] and acquired an additional ten percent stake in January 2021.[11] [Pershing Square Holdings](/source/Pershing_Square_Holdings) later acquired ten percent of UMG before its [IPO](/source/Initial_public_offering) on the [Euronext Amsterdam](/source/Euronext_Amsterdam) stock exchange. The French [Bolloré family](/source/Vincent_Bollor%C3%A9) still owns 28 percent of UMG (18 percent directly, and ten percent through [Vivendi](/source/Vivendi), formerly Vivendi Universal, the Bolloré family's investment company). The company went public on September 21, 2021, at a valuation of €46 billion.[12][13]

As of April 2024, UMG's catalogue includes over three million recordings and four million compositions.

## History

Further information on UMG's history prior to 1996: [MCA Records § History](/source/MCA_Records#History)

### Early history

The company's origins go back to the formation of the American branch of [Decca Records](/source/Decca_Records) in September 1934, and its name and company logo originate from [Carl Laemmle](/source/Carl_Laemmle)'s [Universal Pictures](/source/Universal_Pictures). Although the movie studio and the music business share a common history, today the former is part of [Comcast](/source/Comcast) and the latter an independent commercial entity.[14][15] During [World War II](/source/World_War_II), many record companies donated their [metal masters](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Metal_master&action=edit&redlink=1) to recycling for the war effort. However, Universal was an exception and donated more than 200,000 of their historic [master recordings](/source/Master_recordings) to the [Library of Congress](/source/Library_of_Congress).[16] The Decca Record Co. Ltd. of England spun American Decca off in 1939.[17] [MCA Inc.](/source/MCA_Inc.) merged with American Decca in 1962.[18]

In November 1990, Japanese multinational conglomerate [Matsushita Electric](/source/Panasonic) agreed to acquire MCA for $6.59 billion.[19][20] In 1995, [Seagram](/source/Seagram_Company_Ltd.) acquired 80 percent of MCA from Matsushita.[21][22] On December 9, 1996, the company was renamed [Universal Studios, Inc.](/source/Universal_Studios%2C_Inc.),[23] and its music division was renamed Universal Music Group; MCA Records continued as a label within the Universal Music Group. In May 1998, Seagram purchased [PolyGram](/source/PolyGram)[24] and merged it with Universal Music Group in early 1999.[25] Seagram's entertainment assets were then sold to [French](/source/France) media conglomerate [Vivendi](/source/Vivendi) in 2000, along with UMG.

### 2004: Consolidating into a Vivendi subsidiary

In May 2004, Universal Music Group was cast under separate management from Universal Studios, when Vivendi sold 80% of Universal to [General Electric](/source/General_Electric), who subsequently merged it with [NBC](/source/NBC) to form [NBCUniversal](/source/NBCUniversal). This came two months after the separation of [Warner Music Group](/source/Warner_Music_Group) from [Time Warner](/source/WarnerMedia). In February 2006, Vivendi purchased the remaining 20 percent of UMG from [Matsushita Electric](/source/Matsushita_Electric).[26] On September 6, 2006, Vivendi announced its €1.63 billion ($2.4 billion) purchase of [BMG Music Publishing](/source/BMG_Music_Publishing); after receiving European Union regulatory approval, the acquisition was completed on June 25, 2007.[27][28]

### 2007–2012: UMG acquisitions and EMI purchase

In June 2007, UMG acquired Sanctuary, which eventually became UMG's entertainment merchandising and brand management division, Bravado.[29][30][31][32] In 2008, Universal Music Group agreed to make its catalogue available to [Spotify](/source/Spotify), then a new streaming service, for use outside the U.S. on a limited basis.[33]

[Doug Morris](/source/Doug_Morris) stepped down from his position as CEO on January 1, 2011. Former chairman/CEO of Universal Music International [Lucian Grainge](/source/Lucian_Grainge) was promoted to [CEO](/source/Chief_executive_officer) of the company. Grainge later replaced Morris as chairman on March 9, 2011.[34] Morris became the next chairman of [Sony Music Entertainment](/source/Sony_Music_Entertainment) on July 1, 2011.[35] With Grainge's appointment as CEO at UMG, [Max Hole](/source/Max_Hole) was promoted to COO of UMGI, effective July 1, 2010. In January 2011, UMG announced it was donating 200,000 master recordings from the 1920s to 1940s to the [Library of Congress](/source/Library_of_Congress) for preservation.[36] In 2011, EMI agreed to sell its recorded music operations to Universal Music Group for £1.2 billion ($1.9 billion) and its music publishing operations to a [Sony](/source/Sony)-led consortium for $2.2 billion.[37] Among the other companies that had competed for the recorded music business was [Warner Music Group](/source/Warner_Music_Group) which was reported to have made a $2 billion bid.[38] [IMPALA](/source/IMPALA) opposed the merger.[39] In March 2012, the [European Union](/source/European_Union) opened an investigation into the acquisition[40] The EU asked rivals and consumer groups whether the deal would result in higher prices and shut out competitors.[41]

On September 21, 2012, the sale of EMI to UMG was approved in the European Union and the United States by the [European Commission](/source/European_Commission) and [Federal Trade Commission](/source/Federal_Trade_Commission) respectively.[42] However, the European Commission approved the deal only under the condition the merged company divest one third of its total operations to other companies with a proven track record in the music industry. UMG divested [Mute Records](/source/Mute_Records), [Parlophone](/source/Parlophone), [Roxy Recordings](/source/Roxy_Recordings), [MPS Records](/source/MPS_Records), [Cooperative Music](/source/Cooperative_Music), [Now That's What I Call Music!](/source/Now_That's_What_I_Call_Music!), [Jazzland](/source/Jazzland_Recordings), Universal Greece, [Sanctuary Records](/source/Sanctuary_Records), [Chrysalis Records](/source/Chrysalis_Records), [EMI Classics](/source/EMI_Classics), [Virgin Classics](/source/Virgin_Classics), and [EMI's European regional labels](/source/List_of_EMI_labels#EMI_Europe) to comply with this condition. UMG retained [the Beatles](/source/The_Beatles) (formerly of Parlophone) and [Robbie Williams](/source/Robbie_Williams) (formerly of Chrysalis). The Beatles catalogue was transferred to UMG's newly formed [Calderstone Productions](/source/Calderstone_Productions), while Williams' catalogue was transferred to [Island Records](/source/Island_Records).[43][44]

### 2012–2017: EMI integration and divisions reorganization

Universal Music Group completed its acquisition of [EMI](/source/EMI) on September 28, 2012.[45] In November 2012, [Steve Barnett](/source/Steve_Barnett_(music_executive)) was appointed chairman and CEO of [Capitol Music Group](/source/Capitol_Music_Group). He formerly served as COO of [Columbia Records](/source/Columbia_Records).[46] In compliance the conditions of the European Commission after purchase of EMI, Universal Music Group sold the Mute catalogue to the German-based [BMG Rights Management](/source/BMG_Rights_Management) on December 22, 2012.[47] Two months later, BMG acquired [Sanctuary Records](/source/Sanctuary_Records) for €50 million ($58 million).[48] On February 8, 2013, [Warner Music Group](/source/Warner_Music_Group) acquired the Parlophone Label Group (consisting of [Parlophone Records](/source/Parlophone_Records), [Chrysalis Records](/source/Chrysalis_Records), [EMI Classics](/source/EMI_Classics), [Virgin Classics](/source/Virgin_Classics) and EMI Records' Belgian, Czech, Danish, French, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Slovak and Swedish divisions) for $765 million (£487 million).[49][50] Later in February, [Sony Music Entertainment](/source/Sony_Music_Entertainment) acquired UMG's European share in *[Now That's What I Call Music](/source/Now_That's_What_I_Call_Music)* for approximately $60 million.[51] [Play It Again Sam](/source/PIAS_Recordings) acquired Co-Operative Music for £500,000 in March 2013.[52] With EMI's absorption into Universal Music complete, its British operations consist of five label units: Island, Polydor, Decca, Virgin EMI and Capitol.[53] In the Greek market, as part of its divestiture plans, Universal Music retained Minos EMI and sold Universal Music Greece to Greek investors who renamed it Cobalt Music.[54][55] [Edel AG](/source/Edel_AG) acquired the MPS catalogue from Universal in January 2014.[56]

On March 20, 2013, UMG announced the worldwide extension of its exclusive distribution deal with the [Disney Music Group](/source/Disney_Music_Group), excluding Japan. As a result of this deal DMG's labels and artists have access to UMG's roster of producers and songwriters on a worldwide basis.[57] The exclusive deal also saw UMG granted unlimited access to all rights pertaining to Disney's 85-year back catalogue of soundtracks and albums.[58] On April 2, 2013, the gospel music divisions of [Motown Records](/source/Motown_Records) and EMI merged to form a new label called Motown Gospel.[59] In May 2013, Japanese company [SoftBank](/source/SoftBank) offered $8.5 billion to Vivendi for the acquisition of UMG, but Vivendi rejected it.[60] In July 2018, JPMorgan said that UMG could be worth as much as $40 billion[61] and then increased the valuation to $50 billion in 2019.[62] In August 2013, UMG became the first company in the US to have nine of the Top 10 songs on the digital charts, according to [SoundScan](/source/SoundScan)[63] and weeks later, became the first company to hold all 10 of the Top 10 spots on the [*Billboard* Hot 100 Chart](/source/Billboard_Hot_100).[64] In September 2013, UMG received a [SAG-AFTRA](/source/SAG-AFTRA) American Scene Award for the company's commitment to diversity as exemplified by its "entire catalog and roster of artists."[65][66]

On April 1, 2014, Universal Music announced the disbandment of [the Island Def Jam Music Group](/source/The_Island_Def_Jam_Music_Group), one of four operational umbrella groups within Universal Music. CEO [Lucian Grainge](/source/Lucian_Grainge) said of the closure, "No matter how much we might work to build 'IDJ' as a brand, that brand could never be as powerful as each of IDJ's constituent parts."[67] [Island Records](/source/Island_Records) and [Def Jam](/source/Def_Jam_Recordings) operated as autonomous record labels. David Massey and Bartels, who worked respectively at Island and Def Jam Records, were named to the new record labels independently.[67] [Barry Weiss](/source/Barry_Weiss), who previously moved from [Sony Music](/source/Sony_Music) to lead Island Def Jam in 2012 when [Motown](/source/Motown) was incorporated into it, stepped down from Universal Music. Additionally, as part of the changes to the labels, Motown Records transferred to Los Angeles to become part of the [Capitol Music Group](/source/Capitol_Music_Group). [Ethiopia Habtemariam](/source/Ethiopia_Habtemariam), who was previously the label's vice president, was promoted to the label's president, chairwoman and CEO.[67] Habtemariam vacated her position and left Motown on November 29, 2022.[68] A month following the Island Def Jam disbandment, longtime [Interscope Records](/source/Interscope_Records) CEO [Jimmy Iovine](/source/Jimmy_Iovine) departed from the label, which ended his 29-year relationship with UMG (which under the MCA banner, acquired Interscope for $200 million in 1995).[69][70] Iovine's departure also made way for a restructuring at [Interscope Geffen A&M Records](/source/Interscope_Geffen_A%26M_Records), resulting in the hiring of Interscope chief operational officer [John Janick](/source/John_Janick) as its new chairman and CEO.[71] Grainge said of the reorganization, "Since coming to UMG nearly two years ago, he has consistently shown why he is widely regarded as one of the most talented, innovative and entrepreneurial executives in the music business today and will be a key player in the future generation of industry leaders. John is the ideal executive to be writing the next chapter in IGA's illustrious history."[72] In 2024, UMG later restructured various labels into its respective "East" and "West" coastal group of umbrella units. Island, Def Jam, [Republic](/source/Republic_Records) and [Mercury Records](/source/Mercury_Records) were reorganized under the New York City banner called Republic Corps.,[73] while Interscope, [Geffen](/source/Geffen_Records) and [Capitol Records](/source/Capitol_Records) were brought under the Santa Monica banner, alias Interscope Capitol Labels Group.[74]

Universal Music Group entered into film and TV production with the 2014 purchase of [Eagle Rock Entertainment](/source/Eagle_Rock_Entertainment). UMG's first major film production was *[Amy](/source/Amy_(2015_film))*, which won an Oscar for Best Documentary,[75] while taking part in *[Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck](/source/Kurt_Cobain%3A_Montage_of_Heck)* and *[The Beatles: Eight Days a Week](/source/The_Beatles%3A_Eight_Days_a_Week)* documentaries. In January 2016, UMG hired David Blackman from Laurence Mark Production, where he was president of production, as head of film and television development and production, and theater producer Scott Landis as special advisor on theatrical development and production. UMG Executive Vice President Michele Anthony and Universal Music Publishing Group Chairman and CEO Jody Gerson have oversight of the pair.[76] On February 11, 2017, [PolyGram Entertainment](/source/PolyGram_Entertainment) was relaunched as a film and television unit of Universal Music Group under David Blackman.[77]

In 2015, UMG's [Capitol Records](/source/Capitol_Records) earned all the major [Grammy Awards](/source/Grammy_Awards) for the year, with [Sam Smith](/source/Sam_Smith_(singer)) receiving [Best New Artist](/source/Grammy_Award_for_Best_New_Artist), [Record of the Year](/source/Grammy_Award_for_Record_of_the_Year) and [Song of the Year](/source/Grammy_Award_for_Song_of_the_Year) awards and [Beck](/source/Beck) winning [Album of the Year](/source/Grammy_Award_for_Album_of_the_Year).[78] In March 2016, Universal Music Canada donated the archives of EMI Music Canada to the [University of Calgary](/source/University_of_Calgary).[79] In May 2016, UMG acquired Famehouse, a digital marketing agency.[80] That same year, [Paul McCartney](/source/Paul_McCartney) and the [Bee Gees](/source/Bee_Gees) both signed to UMG's Capitol Records, including their catalog releases.[81][82] In April 2017, UMG signed a new multi-year licensing agreement with [Spotify](/source/Spotify), the world's leading streaming service, and in May 2017, UMG signed a deal with [Tencent](/source/Tencent), China's biggest gaming and social media firm.[83][84][85] In July 2017, "[Despacito](/source/Despacito)" by [Luis Fonsi](/source/Luis_Fonsi), [Daddy Yankee](/source/Daddy_Yankee) and featuring [Justin Bieber](/source/Justin_Bieber), became the most streamed track of all time. By 2018, the song had broken several *[Guinness World Records](/source/Guinness_World_Records)*, including Most Weeks at Number 1 on [Billboard Hot Latin Songs](/source/Hot_Latin_Songs) chart and most-viewed video online.[86][87]

In August 2017, UMG and [Grace/Beyond](/source/Beyond_International_Group) agreed to develop three new music-based television series, *27*, *Melody Island* and *Mixtape*. *27* would focus on musicians at the age of 27, an age at which [several iconic musicians died](/source/27_Club). *Melody Island* was an animated series based on tropical island music with live craft segments. *Mixtape* had twelve episodes, with each episode connected to a song.[88] In October 2017, UMG announced the launch of its Accelerator Engagement Network, an initiative aimed to help develop music-based startups around the world.[89] In November 2017, [USC Annenberg](/source/USC_Annenberg_School_for_Communication_and_Journalism) announced UMG's partnership in the "Annenberg Inclusion Initiative", becoming the first music company to do so. The initiative is meant to create change for representation of women and underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in the media industry.[90][91] In December 2017, Universal Music Group acquired [Stiff](/source/Stiff_Records) and [ZTT](/source/ZTT_Records) labels, along with Perfect Songs Publishing, from [Trevor Horn](/source/Trevor_Horn)'s SPZ Group;[92] [BMG Rights Management](/source/BMG_Rights_Management), through Union Square Music subsidiary, retained its back catalogues. That same month, UMG signed a global, multi-year agreement with Facebook becoming the first of The "[Big Three](/source/Record_label#3)" to license its recorded music and publishing catalogs for video and other social experiences across [Facebook](/source/Facebook), [Instagram](/source/Instagram) and [Oculus](/source/Oculus_(brand)).[93] Sony and Warner signed similar contracts with Facebook the following year. Furthermore, on December 19, 2017, UMG signed a multi-year licensing agreement with [YouTube](/source/YouTube).[94]

### 2018–2022: Continued growth, Tencent, public offering

In June 2018, [Universal Music Japan](/source/Universal_Music_Japan) announced an exclusive license agreement with [Disney Music Group](/source/Disney_Music_Group).[95] With the addition of Japan, UMG distributes releases from Disney Music Group globally. In July, [the Rolling Stones](/source/The_Rolling_Stones) signed a worldwide agreement with UMG covering the band's recorded music and audio-visual catalogues, archival support, global merchandising and brand management.[96] That same month, Vivendi announced it would explore selling as much as half of Universal Music Group to one or more investors.[97][98] In [Nielsen's](/source/Nielsen_Holdings) 2018 US Music Mid-Year report, UMG made history with eight of the Top 10 artists, including all of the top five, as well as all of the top eight artists ranked by on-demand audio streams.[99] In August 2018, UMG announced a strategic expansion in Africa, opening an office in [Abidjan](/source/Abidjan) to oversee French-speaking Africa, and also unveiling a Universal Music Nigeria office in [Lagos](/source/Lagos) to focus on signing local artists and taking them global.[100][101] In September 2018, singer [Elton John](/source/Elton_John) signed a global partnership agreement with UMG across recorded music, music publishing, brand management, and licensing rights.[102]

On November 19, 2018, singer-songwriter [Taylor Swift](/source/Taylor_Swift) signed a new multi-album deal with UMG, in the United States, her future releases will be promoted under the [Republic Records](/source/Republic_Records) imprint. In addition to the promised ownership of her master recordings, UMG agreed to, in case it sells portions of its stake in [Spotify](/source/Spotify), distribute proceeds among its artists and make them non-recoupable.[103][104][105] In December 2018, [Queen's](/source/Queen_(band)) "[Bohemian Rhapsody](/source/Bohemian_Rhapsody)" became the most-streamed song from the pre-streaming era and the most-streamed classic rock song of all time.[106] In February 2019, UMG fully acquired music distributor [INgrooves](/source/INgrooves).[107] In June 2019, YouTube and UMG announced that they were upgrading more than 1,000 popular music videos to high definition, releasing them through 2020.[108] In August 2019, [Tencent](/source/Tencent) and [Vivendi](/source/Vivendi) started negotiation to sell 10% Vivendi's stake of Universal Music to Tencent.[109] The deal is expected to be of $3.36 billion.[110]

In February 2020, [Vivendi](/source/Vivendi) announced it was planning to go public in an IPO within three years.[111] On June 16, 2020, Universal rebranded Virgin EMI Records as EMI Records and named Rebecca Allen (former president of UMG's Decca label) as the label's president,[112] bringing back the EMI brand. The same day, UMG announced launch of its new affiliates in Morocco and Israel.[113] In July 2020, UMG signed a new multi-year licensing agreement with [Spotify](/source/Spotify)[114] In June 2021, [Pershing Square Tontine Holdings](/source/Pershing_Square_Holdings), a [special-purpose acquisition company](/source/Special-purpose_acquisition_company) run by investor Bill Ackman, announced it would acquire 10 percent of UMG before it went public, in a $4 billion transaction. The deal collapsed in July 2021 due to regulatory concerns, and it was announced that Ackman's [Pershing Square Holdings](/source/Pershing_Square_Holdings) would complete the purchase instead.[115] In September 2021, [IPO](/source/Initial_public_offering), [Euronext Amsterdam](/source/Euronext_Amsterdam) announces an introduction price of €18,50[*[clarification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify)*] and [Vivendi](/source/Vivendi) set an initial valuation for UMG at €33 billion ($38.3 billion). Vivendi distributed 60% of its UMG shares and retaining 10%. The family of French businessman [Vincent Bolloré](/source/Vincent_Bollor%C3%A9) is revealed as the majority shareholder with 28% of UMG shares, through its holding company [Bolloré](/source/Bollor%C3%A9) (18%) and its subsidiary [Vivendi](/source/Vivendi) (10%), headed by his son [Yannick Bolloré](/source/Yannick_Bollor%C3%A9). [Tencent](/source/Tencent) emerged as UMG's biggest corporate shareholder with 20% of shares. [Pershing Square Holdings](/source/Pershing_Square_Holdings) held 10% of UMG shares. In its IPO, UMG hits €54 billion ($62.6 billion) valuation which is over a third bigger than initial valuation.[12]

In January 2022, UMG (through [INgrooves](/source/INgrooves)) acquired the Icelandic record label Alda Music, which owned the rights to nearly 80 percent of all music released in Iceland.[116] In February 2022, Universal Music Group announced a partnership with Curio, an [NFT](/source/NFT) platform, to create NFT collections for its record labels and artists.[117] On May 31, 2022, Universal Music Group announced Baa1/BBB long-term credit ratings from Moody's and S&P.[118] In October 2022, Mercedes-Benz launched a new in-car audio collaboration with Apple Music and Universal Music Group. With this new audio standard, UMG allows its artists to base their song approval process on how the final mix sounds in a Mercedes‑Benz and introduced the "Approved in a Mercedes‑Benz" label as a standard.[119] In November 2022, Universal Music Group acquired a 49% stake in Play It Again Sam (PIAS Group), which brings together a series of independent labels.[120]

### 2023–present: Sherry Lansing leadership; restructuring; M&A

In January 2023, [Sherry Lansing](/source/Sherry_Lansing) was named the Chairman of Board of Directors of the Universal Music Group.[121] In August 2023, it was announced UMG had acquired the [UAE](/source/United_Arab_Emirates)-based music marketing, digital publishing and distribution agency, Chabaka.[122][123] In 2023, Universal Music Group and [Deezer](/source/Deezer) announced their initiative to explore potential new business models for music streaming that better recognize the value created by artists.[124][125] Indeed, in September 2023, they announced their launch of an artist-centric streaming model designed to better remunerate the artists and music that fans mostly enjoy.[126][127] Also in 2023, Universal Music Group introduced a [HBCU](/source/Historically_black_colleges_and_universities) scholarship program to support aspiring medical doctors.[128][129]

In October 2023, UMG and [BandLab Technologies](/source/BandLab_Technologies) formed a partnership to protect the rights of artists as well as songwriters and guarantee the 'ethical use' of Artificial Intelligence (AI).[130][131][132] Also in October 2023, UMG formed a new partnership with [BMG Rights Management](/source/BMG_Rights_Management) to develop collaborative initiatives to enlarge opportunities for BMG-signed artists all over the world.[133] Unable to reach a licensing agreement with TikTok, UMG removed its music from the platform in January 2024,[134] During UMG's fourth-quarter earnings call on February 29, Grainge said: "There must not be free rides for massive global platforms such as TikTok." The company reported that quarterly revenue rose 9 percent, to 3.2 billion euros ($3.5 billion).[135] Following the earnings call, UMG began a "strategic organizational redesign" that included company-wide layoffs.[136]

In January 2026, it was announced UMG had acquired a minority stake in superfan platform Stationhead, following its merger with online music event platform Mellomanic. The merged company continues to operate under the Stationhead name, with private equity firm [Sterling Partners](/source/Sterling_Partners) holding a controlling interest and UMG entering into a commercial agreement to use the platform's technology.[137]

Reported in early April 2026, minority shareholder Pershing Square offered about $60 billion to acquire UMG, to merge it with Pershing Square SPARC Holdings, and proposing to move its stock listing from [Euronext Amsterdam](/source/Euronext_Amsterdam) to the [NYSE](/source/New_York_Stock_Exchange).[138]

In May 2026, Bolloré CEO Cyrille Bolloré urged Universal Music Group to reject Bill Ackman's takeover proposal, saying the offer undervalued the label, relied on the company's own cash and did not fit its long-term strategy.[139] The deal was rejected by UMG's board of directors on May 29, 2026.[140]

## Labels

Main article: [List of Universal Music Group labels](/source/List_of_Universal_Music_Group_labels)

## Vevo

Universal Music Group co-developed with Google[141] [Vevo](/source/Vevo), a site designed for music videos inspired by [Hulu](/source/Hulu), which similarly allows free ad-supported streaming of videos and other music content.[142]

On May 24, 2018, Vevo announced that it would no longer continue distributing videos to Vevo.com, instead opting to primarily focus on [YouTube](/source/YouTube) syndication.[143]

## Locations

### Los Angeles metropolitan area

#### Santa Monica

Universal Music Publishing Headquarters in Santa Monica, California

UMG's operational headquarters are located in [Santa Monica, California](/source/Santa_Monica%2C_California). [Interscope-Geffen-A&M](/source/Interscope-Geffen-A%26M) and Universal Music Enterprises (UME), the company's catalog division, are headquartered in Santa Monica. [Def Jam](/source/Def_Jam_Recordings), [Island](/source/Island_Records) and [Republic Records](/source/Republic_Records) also maintain offices there. UMG chairman & CEO [Lucian Grainge](/source/Lucian_Grainge) is based at the company's Santa Monica offices. [Universal Music Publishing](/source/Universal_Music_Publishing) is also headquartered in the city.

#### Hollywood

The [Capitol Records Building](/source/Capitol_Records_Building)

[Capitol Music Group](/source/Capitol_Music_Group) is headquartered at the [Capitol Records Building](/source/Capitol_Records_Building) in Hollywood.[144] [Universal Music Latin Entertainment](/source/Universal_Music_Latin_Entertainment) is also headquartered in Hollywood.

#### Woodland Hills

Universal Music Group operates a secondary office in Woodland Hills that includes finance, royalty, and operations functions.[145]

### Miami

Universal Music Latin Entertainment is headquartered in [Miami, Florida](/source/Miami%2C_Florida).

### Nashville

Universal Music Group Nashville is headquartered in [Nashville, Tennessee](/source/Nashville%2C_Tennessee).[146]

### New York City

UMG has offices in New York City where [Island Records](/source/Island_Records), [Def Jam Recordings](/source/Def_Jam_Recordings), [Republic Records](/source/Republic_Records), [Verve Label Group](/source/Verve_Label_Group), and [Spinefarm Records](/source/Spinefarm_Records) are headquartered. By 2027, UMG will move its New York offices to [PENN 2](/source/Pennsylvania_Plaza) which is adjacent to [Madison Square Garden](/source/Madison_Square_Garden) and above [Penn Station](/source/Pennsylvania_Station_(New_York)).[147]

### Madrid

Universal Music Spain is based in [Madrid](/source/Madrid), Spain.[148]

### London

Universal Music Group Global (formerly known as *Universal Music Group International (UMGI)*) operates offices in London.[149]

### Berlin

Universal Music GmbH, the German subsidiary, is headquartered in [Berlin](/source/Berlin). It moved in 2002 from Hamburg to the district [Friedrichshain](/source/Friedrichshain) at the river [Spree](/source/Spree_(river)). In February 2024 the company moved out of the iconic building also called "Eierspeicher" into another office down the street.

### Warsaw

Universal Music Group's [Universal Music Polska](/source/Universal_Music_Polska) is located in [Warsaw](/source/Warsaw).[150]

### Toronto

Universal Music Group's Universal Music Canada is located in [Toronto](/source/Toronto).[151]

### Japan

[Universal Music Japan](/source/Universal_Music_Japan) is headquartered in [Shibuya](/source/Shibuya), Tokyo.

### Other locations

UMG operates in more than 60 territories around the world including Australia, Central America, Brazil, France, India, mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Sub-Saharan Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, New Zealand, Russia, Ukraine, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and more.[148] Company's legal headquarters are in the Netherlands. Universal Music Group's largest corporate shareholder, [Tencent](/source/Tencent), is headquartered in [Shenzhen](/source/Shenzhen), China. Tencent's ultimate largest controlling corporate shareholder, [Naspers](/source/Naspers), is headquartered in [Cape Town](/source/Cape_Town), South Africa.[152]

On March 8, 2022, UMG [suspended all its operations in Russia](/source/2022_boycott_of_Russia_and_Belarus), [following the country's invasion of Ukraine](/source/Russian_invasion_of_Ukraine).[153] American rapper [Offset](/source/Offset_(rapper)) announced on his Instagram in March 2025 that he would perform in [Moscow](/source/Moscow), Russia, despite his label [Motown](/source/Motown) (owned by Universal Music Group) suspending all operations in Russia.[154] American rapper [DaBaby](/source/DaBaby) also performed in Russia.[155]

In 2023, UMG announced its expansion with its new office in [Casablanca](/source/Casablanca), Morocco.[156][157][158][159]

In September 2025, the "[No Music For Genocide](/source/No_Music_For_Genocide)" boycott initiative urged UMG to suspend its operations in Israel in protest of the [genocide in Gaza](/source/Gaza_genocide).[160][161]

## Shareholders

As of January 2022, the company's shares were held by:[4]

- [Bolloré family](/source/Bollor%C3%A9_family): 28% - [Bolloré SE](/source/Bollor%C3%A9): 18% - [Vivendi SE](/source/Vivendi): 10%

- [Tencent](/source/Tencent): 20% - Concerto Investment BV: 10% - Scherzo Investment BV: 10%

- [Pershing Square Holdings](/source/Pershing_Square_Holdings): 10%

## Criticisms and controversies

### CD price fixing

Main article: [CD price fixing](/source/CD_price_fixing)

In 2000, music companies including UMG entered into consent agreements with the [Federal Trade Commission](/source/Federal_Trade_Commission),[162] with no admission of liability,[163] whereby they agreed to discontinue the use of [Minimum Advertised Price](/source/Minimum_advertised_price) programs under which subsidized cooperative advertising was provided to retailers that agreed to adhere to minimum advertised pricing.[162]

In 2002, a similar settlement was entered into with music publishers and distributors [Sony Music](/source/Sony_Music), [Warner Music](/source/Warner_Music_Group), [Bertelsmann Music Group](/source/Bertelsmann_Music_Group), [EMI Music](/source/EMI) and Universal Music Group and certain retailers, without admission of liability or wrongdoing, with various states. In settlement of the claim, the companies collectively agreed to pay a $67.4 million fine and distribute $75.7 million in [CDs](/source/Compact_disc) to public and non-profit groups.[163] It was estimated that consumers were overcharged by $500 million and up to $5 per album.[164]

### Payola

In May 2006, an investigation led by then [New York Attorney General](/source/New_York_Attorney_General), [Eliot Spitzer](/source/Eliot_Spitzer), concluded with a determination that Universal Music Group [bribed](/source/Bribery) radio stations to play songs from [Ashlee Simpson](/source/Ashlee_Simpson), [Brian McKnight](/source/Brian_McKnight), [Big Tymers](/source/Big_Tymers), [Nick Lachey](/source/Nick_Lachey), [Lindsay Lohan](/source/Lindsay_Lohan) and other performers under Universal labels. The company paid $12 million to the state in settlement.[165]

### YouTube

In 2007, with the help of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Stephanie Lenz sued UMG's publishing company for allegedly improperly requesting that, pursuant to the [Digital Millennium Copyright Act](/source/Digital_Millennium_Copyright_Act), YouTube remove a 29-second home video in which Lenz's child danced to a recording of [Prince's](/source/Prince_(musician)) song "[Let's Go Crazy](/source/Let's_Go_Crazy)".[166] After years of litigation, the suit settled in 2018, prior to the court holding a trial on whether UMG had a subjective belief that the video was infringing and not fair to use before sending its request to YouTube.[167][168][169] In April 2016, UMG had the audio muted of a video clip showing [Katherine Jenkins](/source/Katherine_Jenkins) singing the British national anthem. They claimed that the recording of "[God Save the Queen](/source/God_Save_the_Queen)" was copyrighted, and YouTube initially complied with this request, but subsequently offered the video with the original audio track.[170]

### Imeem

In December 2007, UMG announced a deal with [Imeem](/source/Imeem) that allowed users of the social network to listen to any track from Universal's catalogue for free with a portion of the advertising generated by the music being shared with the record label.[171] All traffic was redirected to [MySpace](/source/Myspace) after that company acquired [Imeem](/source/Imeem) on December 8, 2009.[172]

### Universal archive fire (2008)

Main article: [2008 Universal Studios fire](/source/2008_Universal_Studios_fire)

According to Jody Rosen of *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*, the fire which swept through [Universal Studios Hollywood](/source/Universal_Studios_Hollywood) on June 1, 2008, caused "the biggest disaster in the history of the music business".[173] In space rented from NBCUniversal, according to an official document marked "Confidential", the fire destroyed at least 118,230 "assets" ([master recordings](/source/Master_recordings)), or about 500,000 song titles, owned by UMG. "The vault housed tape masters for [Decca](/source/Decca_Records), the pop, jazz and classical powerhouse; it housed master tapes for the storied blues label [Chess](/source/Chess_Records); it housed masters for [Impulse!](/source/Impulse!_Records), the groundbreaking jazz label. The vault held masters for the MCA, ABC, A&M, Geffen and Interscope labels; as well as some smaller subsidiary labels. Nearly all of these masters—in some cases, the complete discographies of entire record labels—were wiped out in the fire."[173][174] In a statement issued on June 12, 2019, UMG said *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)* article contained "numerous inaccuracies, misleading statements, contradictions and fundamental misunderstandings of the scope of the incident and affected assets."[175]

Following the publication of the *New York Times* story, [Questlove](/source/Questlove) of [The Roots](/source/The_Roots) confirmed that the master tapes for two of the band's albums, including unused material and multi-track recordings, were lost in the fire.[176] Similarly, [Nirvana](/source/Nirvana_(band)) bassist [Krist Novoselic](/source/Krist_Novoselic) said he believed the masters for the band's 1991 album *[Nevermind](/source/Nevermind)* were "gone forever" as a result of the fire.[177] Representatives for [R.E.M.](/source/R.E.M.) announced they would investigate the effects the fire may have had on the band's archival materials, while [Hole](/source/Hole_(band)), [Steely Dan](/source/Steely_Dan), [Rosanne Cash](/source/Rosanne_Cash) and [Geoff Downes](/source/Geoff_Downes) made statements on their possible losses from the fire.[177][178]

A representative for [Eminem](/source/Eminem) confirmed that the rapper's master recordings were digitized months before the fire, but could not confirm whether the physical master reels of his recordings were affected.[179] UMG archivist Patrick Kraus assured that the [Impulse! Records](/source/Impulse!_Records), [John Coltrane](/source/John_Coltrane), [Muddy Waters](/source/Muddy_Waters), [Ahmad Jamal](/source/Ahmad_Jamal), [Nashboro Records](/source/Nashboro_Records), and [Chess Records](/source/Chess_Records) masters survived the fire and were still in Universal's archive.[180]

Howard King filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles on June 21, 2019, on behalf of [Soundgarden](/source/Soundgarden), [Hole](/source/Hole_(band)), [Steve Earle](/source/Steve_Earle), the estate of [Tupac Shakur](/source/Tupac_Shakur) and a former wife of [Tom Petty](/source/Tom_Petty) that seeks class action status for artists whose master recordings were believed to have been destroyed in the Universal Studios fire.[181][182]

### Megaupload

On December 9, 2011, [Megaupload](/source/Megaupload) published a music video titled: "The Mega Song", showing artists including [Kanye West](/source/Kanye_West), [Snoop Dogg](/source/Snoop_Dogg), [Alicia Keys](/source/Alicia_Keys) and [will.i.am](/source/Will.i.am) endorsing the company.[183] The music video was also uploaded to YouTube, but was removed following a takedown request by UMG. [Megaupload](/source/Megaupload) said that the video contained no infringing content, commenting: "we have signed agreements with every featured artist for this campaign".[184] [Megaupload](/source/Megaupload) requested an apology from UMG, and filed a lawsuit against the company in the [United States District Court for the Northern District of California](/source/United_States_District_Court_for_the_Northern_District_of_California), on December 12, 2011.[185][186]

UMG denied that the takedown was ordered under the terms of the [Digital Millennium Copyright Act](/source/Digital_Millennium_Copyright_Act), and said that the takedown was "pursuant to the UMG-YouTube agreement," which gives UMG "the right to block or remove user-posted videos through YouTube's CMS (Content Management System) based on a number of contractually specified criteria."[187] The video was subsequently returned to YouTube, with the reasons for the UMG takedown remaining unclear.[188] Lawyers for [will.i.am](/source/Will.i.am) initially claimed that he had never agreed to the project, and on December 12, he denied any involvement in the takedown notice.[189] Megaupload dismissed its case against UMG in January 2012 following the [closure of the site by US authorities](/source/Seizure_of_Megaupload).[190]

### Copyright termination lawsuits

#### John Waite

On February 5, 2019, [John Waite](/source/John_Waite) and [Joe Ely](/source/Joe_Ely) filed a class-action lawsuit against UMG claiming that the company was violating their right to terminate grants of copyright after 35 years in accordance with [copyright law of the United States](/source/Copyright_law_of_the_United_States) by ignoring Notices of Termination. On May 3, 2019, UMG filed a motion to dismiss the case, stating the Notices of Termination were not valid because the songs were not grants of copyright but [works for hire](/source/Work_for_hire).[191] The motion to dismiss was denied.[192]

#### Salt-N-Pepa

In May 2025, girl group [Salt-N-Pepa](/source/Salt-N-Pepa) sued UMG for the rights to their catalog. The duo says UMG has pulled its songs from streaming platforms in retaliation for its efforts to reclaim ownership of its masters starting in 2022.[193] UMG is again asserting that the recordings were works for hire.[194]

### Removal of UMG songs from TikTok

On February 1, 2024, music released by UMG was muted or removed from [TikTok](/source/TikTok) after UMG and TikTok failed to reach a licensing agreement.[195] The companies reached an agreement in May 2024 after which UMG's music was restored.[196]

### Allegations by Drake

Main article: [Not Like Us § Legal actions](/source/Not_Like_Us#Legal_actions)

In a November 2024 pre-action petition, rapper [Drake](/source/Drake_(musician)) sought discovery from UMG and Spotify because they may have illegally conspired to use bots and [payola](/source/Payola) to artificially inflate streams of Kendrick Lamar's song "[Not Like Us](/source/Not_Like_Us)" in violation of the federal [Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act](/source/Racketeer_Influenced_and_Corrupt_Organizations_Act) and violated New York state law against deceptive business practices and false advertising.[197] UMG denied the claims in a statement, calling Drake's legal arguments "contrived and absurd".[197]

## See also

- [Companies portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Companies)
- [United States portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:United_States)
- [France portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:France)
- [Netherlands portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Netherlands)

- [List of record labels](/source/List_of_record_labels)

- [List of Universal Music Group artists](/source/List_of_Universal_Music_Group_artists)

- [List of Universal Music Group labels](/source/List_of_Universal_Music_Group_labels)

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** 18.47% directly and 9.91% through [Vivendi](/source/Vivendi)

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1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:4_198-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:4_198-1) Donahue, Bill (November 25, 2024). ["Drake Accuses UMG & Spotify of Scheme to 'Artificially Inflate' Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us'"](https://www.billboard.com/pro/drake-umg-spotify-schemed-boost-kendrick-not-like-us/). *Billboard*. Retrieved November 25, 2024.

## External links

**Universal Music Group**  at Wikipedia's [sister projects](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wikimedia_sister_projects)

- [Media](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Universal_Music_Group) from Commons
- [Quotations](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Special:Search/Universal_Music_Group) from Wikiquote
- [Data](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q38903) from Wikidata

- [Official website](https://www.universalmusic.com/)

Links to related articles v t e Universal Music Group People Lucian Grainge (Chairman and CEO) Vincent Vallejo (Deputy CEO) Boyd Muir (COO) Matt Ellis (CFO) Sherry Lansing (Chair, Board of Directors) Margaret Frerejean-Taittinger (Vicechair, Board of Directors) Jody Gerson (Chair, Universal Music Publishing) Interscope Capitol Labels Group Capitol Music Group Capitol Records Blue Note Records Astralwerks Harvest Records SharpTone Records Capitol Christian Music Group ForeFront Records Sparrow Records Priority Records Interscope Geffen A&M Interscope Records Geffen Records A&M Records Nuclear Blast Records Blood Blast Distribution Interscope Films Aftermath Entertainment Darkroom Dreamville Records Kidinakorner Lost Highway Records Shady Records Cinematic Music Group Downtown Records Verve Label Group Deutsche Grammophon Decca Records Decca Classics Mercury KX Impulse! Records Verve Records Verve Forecast Records Republic Corps Republic Records Motown Quality Control Music Rowdy Records Motown Gospel Universal Records Mercury Records Cash Money Records Young Money Entertainment SRC Records American Recordings Boominati Worldwide Brushfire Records Casablanca Records Federal Films Lava Records Universal Arabic Music XO Out of Line Def Jam Recordings Island Records Virgin Music Group Virgin Records Caroline Records Fontana Records Neon Gold Records Metropolis Records Sumerian Records V2 Records PIAS Group PIAS Recordings UM Latin Entertainment Capitol Latin Disa Records Fonovisa Records Machete Music Universal Music Latino Universal Music México MCA MCA Nashville Mercury Nashville Records Capitol Records Nashville EMI Records Nashville UM Australia Island Records Australia Golden Era Records Modular Recordings Mercury Records Australia EMI Music Australia UM Japan Polydor Records EMI Records Capitol Records Universal Sigma Virgin Music A&M Records Universal D Eastworld Def Jam Recordings Mercury Tokyo Universal Classics UM UK EMI Records Capitol UK Island UK Motown UK Polydor Records 0207 Def Jam Universal Music On Demand UM Greater China Capitol Records China EMI China PolyGram Records China Republic Records China Universal Music China Universal Music Hong Kong Universal Music Taiwan UM France Capitol Music France Decca Records France Island Def Jam MCA France Polydor France Romance Musique PIAS France Virgin Records France UM Philippines Def Jam Philippines EMI Records Island Philippines Republic Records Philippines UMG Philippines Universal Music Africa U-Live Africa Motown Gospel Africa Def Jam Recordings Africa Universal Music Group Nigeria Universal Music South Africa Blue Note Records Africa Virgin Music Africa Other UMG labels Universal Music Enterprises Hip-O Records Universal Music Indonesia Universal Music Malaysia Publishing division Universal Music Publishing Group Universal Production Music Film/TV units Eagle Rock Entertainment Grace - A Storytelling Company PolyGram Entertainment Universal Music Animation Vevo Non-UMG distributed labels Big Machine Label Group Disney Music Group Hollywood Records S-Curve Records Walt Disney Records Roc Nation ECM Records Dew Process Nickelodeon Records Because Music London Recordings Ed Banger Records International third-party licensees Dreamus (South Korea (JYP Entertainment)) Helicon (Israel) Tuff Gong (Caribbean) YG Plus (South Korea (HYBE Labels and YG Entertainment)) Musica Studios (Indonesia) v t e Vivendi List of owned assets Directors Vincent Bolloré Arnaud de Puyfontaine François Laroze Main asset Gameloft Equity investments MFE (4.6%) PRISA (9.9%) Banijay Group (19.21%) Defunct/former assets Activision Blizzard Activision Blizzard Entertainment Budcat Creations Infinity Ward Luxoflux Massive Entertainment Neversoft Radical Entertainment RedOctane Shaba Games Sierra Entertainment Treyarch Animation Magic Canal+ Family Canal+ Gol Editis Gaiam Vivendi Entertainment Gala GVT Knowledge Adventure Maroc Telecom Louis Hachette Group Lagardère Lagardère Publishing Lagardère News Prisma Media NBCUniversal Rogue Pictures Universal Pictures SFR Sport+ Veolia Vivendi Games Fox Interactive Universal Interactive OCS Ciné+ Premier Ciné+ Famiz Ciné+ Club Groupe Canal+ Canal+ France Canal+ Poland M7 Group StudioCanal Havas Vivendi Ticketing Digitick Vivendi Village See Tickets See Tickets USA Flavorus MyBestPro Watchever L’Olympia Universal Music Group Category Commons v t e Tencent Services Foxmail iflix JOOX QQ QQLive Qzone Sogou Soso Tencent Animation and Comics Tencent Cloud Tencent Maps Tencent Video Tencent Weibo WeBank WeChat Red envelope Music KuGou Ku Music Asian Music Awards QQ Music QQ Music Awards Tencent Music Universal Music Group Film and television New Classics Media Tencent Pictures Video games Fatshark Fulqrum Publishing Funcom Grinding Gear Games Klei Entertainment Leyou Athlon Games Digital Extremes Miniclip QQ Games Riot Games Radiant Entertainment Sumo Group Auroch Digital The Chinese Room Sumo Digital Supercell Techland Tencent Games LightSpeed Studios TiMi Studio Group Tequila Works Turtle Rock Studios Valhalla Game Studios Visual Arts Key KineticNovel WeGame Yager Development Related 360 v. Tencent Lao Gan Ma fraud case Naspers Prosus People Ma Huateng Allen Zhang Tony Zhang Chen Yidan Chen Xiaonan v t e Music industry Major companies and organizations Representatives AMPROFON ARIA BVMI BPI Music Canada FIMI IFPI (worldwide) PMB PROMUSICAE RIAA SNEP Publishers BMG Rights Management Sony Music Publishing Universal Music Publishing Group Warner Chappell Music Disney Music Publishing Concord Music Publishing Allied Artists Music Group Believe Music Reservoir Media Nickel Shoe Music TVT Music Enterprises Century Media Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. Secretly Group Empire Distribution Create Music Group Record labels Major Sony Universal Warner Disney AAMG Independent Concord BMG Reservoir Secretly Big Machine PIAS Beggars Sub Pop Domino Glassnote Ninja Tune Empire ECR Create Independent UK record labels Notable independent record labels Retailers Amazon Digital music stores (iTunes Store) Fnac HMV Kaspien Virgin Megastores Live music CTS Eventim Live Nation LiveStyle Ticketmaster Major genres Blues Country Easy listening Electronic Experimental Folk Gospel Hip-hop Jazz Latin Metal New Age Pop Reggae Rhythm and blues Rock World Sectors and roles Album cover design Artists and repertoire (A&R) Disc jockey Distribution Entertainment law Music education Music executive Music and fashion Music journalism Music publisher Music store Music venue Musical instruments Professional audio store Promotion Radio promotion Record label Record shop Road crew Talent manager Tour promoter Production Arrangement Songwriter Composer Lyricist Conductor Disc jockey Hip-hop producer Horn section Record producer Rhythm section Orchestrator Session musician Backup singer Ghost singer Vocal coach Ghostwriter Sound engineer Release formats Single (Extended play (EP), 12" single, Cassette single, CD single, Maxi single) Album Double album, Mixtape, Surprise album Music video Visual album Promotional recording Phonograph record Eight-track Compact cassette CD DVD Airplay Music download Music streaming service Live shows Concert Concert tour Concert residency Music festival Music competition Charts ARIA Charts Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Argentina Hot 100 Billboard Brasil Hot 100 Canadian Hot 100 Circle Chart G-Music chart Irish Singles Chart Italian singles chart GfK Entertainment charts Entertainment Monitoring Africa Oricon charts New Zealand singles chart Rolling Stone Top 100 Sino Chart TME Physical Album Sales Chart SNEP singles chart Sverigetopplistan UK singles chart Publications Billboard HitQuarters Hot Press Kerrang! Mojo Musica e dischi NME Q Rolling Stone Smash Hits Top of the Pops Television Channels Channel V CMT Fuse Mnet MTV MTV2 Tr3s MuchMusic The Music Factory Viva VH1 The Country Network Series Idol franchise Popstars Star Academy The Four The Voice The X Factor Rising Star Achievements Music award Best-selling music artists Girl Groups In: Brazil Finland Germany Japan United Kingdom (Females) United States Genre: Gospel Latin Nationality: Belgian Brazilian British Italian Swedish Best-selling albums by country Latin Best-selling singles by country Latin Highest-paid musicians Highest-grossing live music artists Highest-grossing concert tours by women Latin Highest-grossing concert residencies Highest-grossing benefit concerts Most-attended concert tours Most-attended concert residencies Most-attended concerts Global Recording Artist of the Year Wealthiest musical artists Other Album era Album-equivalent unit A-side and B-side Backmasking Bootleg recording Christian music industry Environmental impact Global Release Day Hidden track Japanese edition Largest music deals Largest recorded music markets Most expensive albums Most valuable records Music certification Parental Advisory Record sales White label Record production portal Category v t e K-pop Impact and popularity Korean Wave Korean ballad Korean hip hop Korean rock Trot Terminology Cultural technology Fan rice Idols (History) Perfect all-kill Sasaeng fan Sexualization and sexual exploitation Slave contract Virtual concert Artists Individual artists Idol groups Girl groups Boy groups Events Dream Concert HallyuPopFest Incheon Korean Music Wave K-pop Cover Dance Festival K-Pop World Festival KCON Korea Times Music Festival Music Bank World Tour Waterbomb Websites Allkpop Billboard K-Town Timeline 2020s Eatyourkimchi Soompi Music shows Inkigayo (SBS) M Countdown (Mnet) Music Bank (KBS2) Music Universe K-909 (JTBC) Music on Top (JTBC) Pops in Seoul (Arirang TV) The Show (SBS M) Show Champion (MBC M) Show! Music Core (MBC) Simply K-Pop (Arirang TV) Music charts List of K-pop on the Billboard charts Albums Songs World Digital Song Sales Year-end Circle Chart albums songs Melon MIAK albums Billboard K-pop 100 South Korea Songs Korea Hot 100 Notable labels and publishers Agencies 8D Creative Antenna Attrakt B2M Entertainment The Black Label BPM Entertainment Brand New Music Brave Entertainment C9 Entertainment CJ ENM Amoeba Culture AOMG H1ghr Music Wake One Entertainment Coridel Entertainment Cube Entertainment DR Music Fantagio FNC Entertainment Hybe Big Hit Music Pledis Entertainment Source Music Imagine Asia Dreamcatcher Company IST Entertainment Jellyfish Entertainment JYP Entertainment Kakao Entertainment Maroo Entertainment MLD Entertainment MNH Entertainment Mystic Story Oui Entertainment P Nation RBW DSP Media WM Entertainment SM Entertainment Label SJ Star Empire Entertainment Starship Entertainment TOP Media Woollim Entertainment YG Entertainment Yuehua Entertainment Publishers Genie Music iMBC Interpark Music Kakao Entertainment Music&New NHN Bugs Pony Canyon Korea SBS Contents Hub SK Group Dreamus SK Communications Sony Music Korea Soribada Stone Music Entertainment Universal Music Korea Warner Music Korea YG Plus Music award shows Major APAN Music Awards Asia Artist Awards Asia Song Festival Circle Chart Music Awards The Fact Music Awards Genie Music Awards Golden Disc Awards KBS Gayo Daechukje Korean Music Awards Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards MAMA Awards MBC Gayo Daejejeon Mnet 20's Choice Awards SBS Gayo Daejeon Seoul Music Awards Soribada Best K-Music Awards Digital music Cyworld Digital Music Awards Melon Music Awards v t e Music of Japan "Kimigayo" (National anthem) Traditional Instruments Genres and styles Bugaku Bushi Dainichido Bugaku Danmono Gagaku Gigaku Jōruri Kouta Min'yō Nagauta Rōkyoku Saimon Ondo [ja] Komori-uta (lullaby) Warabe Uta [ja] Kazoe Uta [ja] Ekaki Uta [ja] Temari Uta [ja] Post Meiji Restoration (1868–present) Commercial song [ja] Gakusēka (student song) [ja] Kōka (school song) [ja] Ryōka (dormitory song) [ja] Daigaku-Ōenka (cheering song of university) [ja] Enzetsuka/Enka Gunka (military song) Jazz Kayōkyoku Senji-kayō [ja] Gunkoku-kayō [ja] Radio calisthenics song Ryūkōka Shichōsonka (municipality song) [ja] Shōka [ja] Manshū-Shōka [ja] Shin-min'yō [ja] Post-War (1945–present) 1945–present Kayōkyoku Mood-kayō [ja] Idol-kayō [ja] Group sounds Image song Pop Rock 1970–present Anime song Chiptune City pop Denpa song Disco [ja] Electro Electropop Eurobeat Hardcore punk Hip hop Metal Noise Noise rock Nu-music [ja] Ōenka (cheering song) Reggae Synth-pop Ska Visual kei Italo Disco Italo House Juliana’s techno 1990–present Bitpop Grime Being-kei [ja] J-core Japanese net label scene Kawaii metal Komuro-kei [ja] Onkyokei Shibuya-kei Akishibu-kei Utaite Visual kei Eroguro kei Nagoya kei Vocaloid music Ethnic and regional Ainu music Rekuhkara Southern Islands Charts Oricon Singles Chart Combined Singles Chart Albums Chart Combined Albums Chart Digital Singles and Albums Karaoke Chart Billboard Japan Hot 100 Hot Albums Top Download Songs and Albums Other RIAJ Digital Track Chart (discontinued) Achievements List of best-selling music artists in Japan List of best-selling Western artists in Japan List of best-selling albums in Japan List of best-selling singles in Japan Record companies "Major" (as of 2026[update]) Nippon Columbia King Record Co. Teichiku Entertainment Pony Canyon Sony Music Entertainment Japan Victor Entertainment Being Inc. NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan Avex Group Universal Music Japan Others J Storm Major Independent Musicians List of musical artists from Japan List of Japanese musical groups List of J-pop artists List of Japanese composers List of Japanese hip hop musicians List of Japanese singers Timeline and years 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Online distributors iTunes Store Apple Music Google Play Music Amazon Music Spotify KKBox (the successor of LISMO Unlimited) RecoChoku [ja] Music.jp [ja] Mora Dwango.jp E-Onkyo music Oricon Music Store Line Music MySound [ja] OTOTOY [ja] AWA [ja] Other topics Awards Shinto music

v t e AEX companies of the Netherlands ABN AMRO Adyen Aegon Ahold Delhaize AkzoNobel ArcelorMittal ASM International ASML ASR Nederland BE Semiconductor DSM-Firmenich EXOR Heineken IMCD ING KPN NN Group Philips Prosus Randstad RELX Shell Universal Music Group Unilever Wolters Kluwer

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND National United States France BnF data Czech Republic Israel Other MusicBrainz label Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Universal Music Group](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Music_Group) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Music_Group?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.