Universal Records (Philippines)
| Universal Records (Philippines) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Parent company |
Warner Music Group (1977–1992) Independent (1992–present) |
| Founded | 1977 (as WEA Records Philippines) |
| Founder |
Warner Music Group Bella Dy Tan |
| Status | Active |
| Distributor(s) | self-distributed |
| Genre | Various |
| Country of origin | Philippines |
| Location | 9/F, Universal Tower, 1487 Quezon Avenue, West Triangle, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines |
| Official website |
universalrecords |
Universal Records Philippines Inc. is a Filipino record label founded in 1977 as part of Warner Music Group.[1] Since 1992, it is an independent label.
History
URPI was founded in 1977 as WEA Records Philippines Inc. The company was the licensee of WEA in Philippines for 15 years, but the latter still decided to put its own office, the precursor of what is now Warner Music Philippines.
In 1992, the company adopted a new name, Universal Records Philippines Inc., and since then it rose as one of the Philippines' best and biggest record labels.
It is a member of the Philippine Association of the Record Industry.[2]
Universal Records officially distributed K-pop albums from September 2009, to be followed by some J-pop albums which was announced late May 2011.
Currently, it is the leading independent recording company in the country, being home to bestselling OPM artists.
Distributed Labels
As of 2011 :
Local
- 12 Stone Inc.
- GMA Records
- Jesuit Communications Foundation
- Jesuit Music Ministry
- NSoupstar Music
Foreign
Artists
(Updated as of August 19, 2018)
Current artists
- Aiza Seguerra (2015–present)
- Angelina Cruz (2016–present)
- Better Days (2017–present)
- Christian Bautista (2009–present)
- Claudia Barretto (2016–present)
- Donny Pangilinan (2017–present)
- Elmo Magalona (2015–present)
- Fern. (2017–present)
- Gary Valenciano (1983–present)[3]
- Gloc-9 (2012–present)
- Good Kid$ (2018-present)
- Janina Vela (2017–present)
- Julie Anne San Jose (2017–present)
- Kyle Juliano (2017–present)
- Mark Oblea (2017–present)
- Neocolours (reunited, 2012–present)
- Noel Cabangon (2009–present)
- Paolo Sandejas (2018–present)
- Parokya ni Edgar (1993–present)
- Shanti Dope (2018–present)
- Sponge Cola (2006–present)
- TALA (2017–present)
- Teejay Marquez (2016–present)
- The Company (2015–present)
Former artists
- APO Hiking Society (moved to The Thirdline last 2009, now inactive)
- Celeste Legaspi (still performing)
- Willy Garte (deceased)
- Roel Cortez (deceased)
- Hot Dog (still performing)
- Itchyworms (moved to Sony Music Entertainment, now currently Independent Label)
- Kamikazee (2005–2015; now inactive and recently on a hiatus in 2015, now recently returned in 2017)
- Karylle (2001–2008; moved to PolyEast Records, now a host of It's Showtime)
- Masta Plann (now inactive)
- Orange and Lemons (now inactive)
- Gino Padilla (moved to Vicor Music)
- Willie Revillame (2002–2005; moved to GMA Records)
- Shamrock (2005–2010; moved to Star Music)
- Universal Motion Dancers (now inactive)
- Wadab (now inactive)
- George Yang (still performing, and now currently a Chairman & CEO of McDonald's Philippines)
- Flavors (now inactive)
- Jed Madela (2003–2013; moved to Star Music)
- Samantha Chavez (now married and now based in California)
- Nina (2010–2012; moved to Viva Records)
- Geneva Cruz (moved to GMA Records)
- Nikki Gil (2014–2015; now married and recently retired in showbiz)
- Silent Sanctuary (2001–2012; moved to Ivory Music & Video)
- Dingdong Avanzado (2004–2007; moved to Star Music)
- Jessa Zaragoza (2004–2007; returned to Star Music)
- Lani Misalucha (2006–2014; moved to Star Music)
- Alden Richards (2013–2015; moved to GMA Records)
- Jaya (2011–2016; moved to Star Music)
- Ogie Alcasid (2007–2017; moved to Star Music)
- Regine Velasquez (2007–2017; returned to Viva Records)
- Sam Concepcion (2007–2017; moved to Viva Records)
- Billy Crawford (2004-2018; moved to Viva Records)
- She's Only Sixteen (2012; moved to indie label Party Bear Records)
Trade name dispute with UMG
Universal Music Group cannot use the Universal name in the Philippines because URPI has the rights for the said trade name. Due to this, UMG currently makes business in the Philippines as MCA Music, Inc., the old worldwide name for UMG.[4]
See also
- PolyEast Records
- Warner Music Group (ex-parent of URPI)
- Universal Records (North American label)
References
- ↑ Profile of URPI Archived February 10, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Universal Records at PARI
- ↑ Local Artists Archived February 10, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "MCA Music Inc. (Universal Music Philippines)". 2013-03-31. Archived from the original on 2013-03-31. Retrieved 2016-08-07.
