Universal Records (Philippines)

Universal Records Philippines, Inc. is a Philippine record label founded in 1977 as part of Warner Music Group.[1] It has been an independent label since 1992. The label is currently a member of the Philippine Association of the Record Industry.[2]

For the Philippine branch of this label's former parent, see Warner Music Philippines. For the Philippine branch of Universal Music Group, see UMG Philippines.

Universal Records (Philippines)
Parent companyWarner Music Group (1977–1992)
Independent (1992–present)
Founded1977 (as WEA Records Philippines)
FounderWarner Music Group
Bella Dy Tan
StatusActive
Distributor(s)self-distributed
GenreVarious
Country of originPhilippines
Location9/F, Universal Tower, 1487 Quezon Avenue, West Triangle, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Official websiteuniversalrecords.com.ph

History

WEA Records Philippines Inc. was founded in the Philippines as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group's East Asia division. The company served as the licensee of WEA in the Philippines for 15 years before undergoing a name change to Universal Records Philippines Inc. in 1992. The company's new name reflected a shift in focus from being just a licensee of WEA to becoming a full-fledged independent record label.

As Universal Records Philippines Inc., the company continued to build its reputation in the industry and signed various prominent local artists, such as Gary Valenciano, Regine Velasquez, and Christian Bautista. In 2003, the company signed the pop-rock band Sponge Cola, which became a major success in the local music scene. The band's debut album, "Palabas," achieved double platinum status and won several awards, including Album of the Year at the NU107 Rock Awards.

In 2018, Universal Records Philippines Inc. launched Mustard Music, a sub-label focused on the growth of homegrown indie acts. The new label aimed to provide a platform for emerging Filipino artists to showcase their music and reach a wider audience. Mustard Music's roster includes promising acts such as Janine Teñoso, Keiko Necesario, and Arthur Nery.

Artists

Universal Records Philippines Inc. has signed and worked with numerous prominent Filipino artists throughout its history. Some of the label's notable acts include:

  • Gary Valenciano: A multi-awarded Filipino musician, Valenciano is known for his pop, R&B, and inspirational songs. He has released over 30 albums throughout his career and has won numerous awards, including several Awit Awards and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2008 Star Awards for Music.
  • Regine Velasquez: Dubbed the "Asia's Songbird," Velasquez is a well-known Filipino singer, actress, and television personality. She has released over 20 studio albums and has won numerous awards, including several Awit Awards, the 1999 MTV Asia Viewer's Choice Award, and the 2018 Aliw Awards Lifetime Achievement Award.
  • Sponge Cola: A pop-rock band formed in 2002, Sponge Cola has become one of the most successful bands in the Philippines. The band has released several hit albums and singles, including "Jeepney," "Tambay," and "Nakapagtataka."
  • Christian Bautista: A Filipino singer, actor, and model, Bautista rose to fame after joining the singing competition "Star in a Million" in 2003. He has released several successful albums and has won several awards, including the 2004 MTV Asia Awards and the 2005 Awit Awards for Best Male Recording Artist.
  • Janine Teñoso: A singer-songwriter known for her soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics, Teñoso has become one of the most promising new artists in the Philippines. She has released several singles, including "Fall," "Di Na Muli," and "Umibig Muli," and has won several awards, including the 2019 Awit Awards for Best Performance by a New Female Recording Artist.

Distributed labels

As of 2011 :

Local

Foreign

Artists

Current artists

Mustard Music (sublabel)
  • Good Kid$ (2018–2020)
  • Issa Rodriguez (2018–present)
  • Joey tha Boy (2018–present)
  • The Ransom Collective (2019–present)
  • Timmy Albert (2019–present)
  • Barq (Arkin Magalona) (2019–present)
  • La Playa (2019–present)

Former artists

Trade name dispute with UMG

Universal Music Group cannot use the Universal name in the Philippines because URPI owns rights to that brand name. Thus, the UMG business in the Philippines became known as MCA Music, Inc., UMG's former global trade name.[5]

On November 3, 2021, MCA Music changed its current name to UMG Philippines.

See also

References
  1. Profile of URPI Archived February 10, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  2. Universal Records at PARI
  3. "David Licauco signs with Universal Records". GMA News Online. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  4. [http://universalrecords.com.ph/local.htm Local Artists|Archived February 10, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  5. "MCA Music Inc. (Universal Music Philippines)". March 31, 2013. Archived from the original on March 31, 2013. Retrieved August 7, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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