UMG Philippines Inc.[1] is a record label based in the Philippines and served as its regional branch of the multinational music corporation, Universal Music Group.[4] Formerly known as MCA Music, the record label previously retained the now-discontinued MCA name on legal purposes because of a trademark dispute with an unrelated label known as Universal Records, which preempted the rights to the word "Universal" for recorded music in the Philippines. However, the company adopted the moniker "MCA/Universal", much like Universal Pictures' home video unit from 1990 to 1997, to simplify identification, even though no formal "Universal" branding is exercised. Despite the naming, the label is known outside the Philippines as Universal Music Philippines.[5][6]

UMG Philippines Inc.
Universal Music Philippines (outside Philippine territory)
Formerly
  • PolyCosmic Records (1993–1997)
  • PolyGram Records (1997–1999)
  • MCA Universal (1999–2004)
  • MCA Music Inc. (2004–2021)
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryMusic
Founded1993; 31 years ago (1993)
Headquarters12/F The Podium West Tower, 12 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, ,
Area served
Philippines
Key people
Enzo Valdez (Managing Director)[3]
ParentUniversal Music Group
Divisions
Websiteumgph.com
umusic.ph

The record label then changed to its current name on November 3, 2021.[7]

History

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PolyCosmic Records was formed in 1993 as a joint venture between PolyGram Music Group (Universal Music Group's predecessor, which has 30% of the company's stocks) and a consortium of Philippine businessmen including Dr. James G. Dy (founding chairman of Dyna Products, Inc., which was the local distributor of PolyGram) and Cosmic Records, a company founded in 1992 by Ramon Chuaying.

Universal Records — which would later be involved in a domestic trademark dispute with UMG — had the distribution rights to Polygram; and Chuaying was its first CEO.[8]

In 1998, PolyGram N.V. was purchased by Seagram's[9] and was merged into MCA Inc.,[10] and PolyGram Music Group was merged with MCA Music Entertainment to become Universal Music Group.[11][12] After the merger, PolyCosmic Records was reincorporated as MCA Music Inc. (Philippines). In 2006, Ricky Ilacad was named the managing director and CEO.[13][14]

MCA Music has a partnership with Smart Communications, Inc. to make music downloads available to phone users via music service Spinnr.[15]

In 2020, UMG formally appointed Sindikato Management founder and former Sony Music Philippines A&R consultant Enzo Valdez as managing director, replacing Ilacad.[3] The same year, UMG launched Def Jam Philippines and Island Records Philippines.[16][17] In 2021, UMG signed a distribution agreement with Off the Record, a local independent label owned by Ilacad.

On November 3, 2021, after 23 years as MCA Music Inc., the record label was renamed as UMG Philippines Inc.[1] On the same day, UMG Philippines formally launched its digital consumer-facing brand known as UMUSIC Philippines (umusic.ph).[7]

On July 8, 2022, UMG launched its third label, Republic Records Philippines.[18]

On February 5, 2024, UMG relaunched EMI Records Philippines as its fourth label after 22 years.[19][20]

Artists (past and present)

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UMG Philippines (formerly MCA Music)

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Def Jam Philippines

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  • VVS Collective
  • Fateeha
  • DonWilson
  • Tommie King
  • Tiffany Lhei
  • JMara
  • Gabrang
  • King Promdi
  • 8 Ballin'
  • Jano
  • Karencitta
  • Kien47

Island Records Philippines

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Republic Records Philippines

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EMI Records Philippines

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  • Shane Bernabe
  • CHNDTR
  • Dionela
  • Cydel Gabutero
  • Gracenote
  • Jenzen Guino
  • Hale
  • Miss Ramonne
  • Elha Nympha
  • Daniel Paringit
  • Patrick Quiroz
  • Gabriel Tagadtad
  • Dave Trinidad
  • Waltz

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "PRIVACY POLICY". UMG Philippines. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  2. ^ "Contact Us | Universal Music Publishing Group". Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Enzo Valdez appointed Managing Director of Universal Music Philippines". Music Business Worldwide. May 12, 2020.
  4. ^ Reyes, Francis (June 7, 2017). "MCA Music Announces Super Sale on Select Vinyl Records and Imported CDs". Billboard Philippines. Philippines. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  5. ^ "MCA Music". Jazz Near You. Philippines. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  6. ^ Hombach, Jean-Pierre (2012). Elton John. UK. ISBN 9781471611865. Retrieved July 31, 2017.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  7. ^ a b @UMUSICPH (November 3, 2021). "Ultra-exciting Experiences, Unli Fun, This is all about U #UMUSICPH 🌏🚀🤳🎢" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. ^ Gorospy, Marc (July 10, 1993). "PolyGram in Philippines Venture". Billboard. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  9. ^ "Seagram buys PolyGram from Philips for $10.6bn". The Independent. UK. May 21, 1998. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  10. ^ Jeffrey, Don (May 30, 1998). "P'Gram Accepts Seagram Bid". Billboard. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  11. ^ "Universal Music shake-up". The Times. UK. January 15, 1999.
  12. ^ White, Adam (June 6, 1998). "Key Role Seen For Larsen In 'UniGram'". Billboard. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  13. ^ "Music Maverick Ricky Ilacad Named Managing Director, MCA Music Philippines". Universal Music Group. Hong Kong. April 28, 2006. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  14. ^ Ho, Vanessa (February 14, 2017). "Universal Music Philippines CEO shares upcoming plans for 2017". Music Asia. China. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  15. ^ Desiderio, Louella D. (December 18, 2015). "Smart renews partnership with MCA Music". The Philippine Star. Philippines. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  16. ^ Billboard Staff (May 12, 2020). "UMG Taps Enzo Valdez to Lead Philippines Operations". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  17. ^ Paine, Andre (July 24, 2020). "UMG launches Island Records Philippines". Music Week. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  18. ^ Abanes, Mariel (July 9, 2022). "Republic Records launches in the Philippines with Zack Tabudlo, Darren Espanto and more artists on roster". NME. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  19. ^ "Universal Music Group Philippines announces re-launch of EMI Records Philippines". Universal Music Group. February 5, 2024. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  20. ^ Bodegon-Hikino, Kara (February 6, 2024). "Universal Music Group Philippines announces relaunch of EMI Records Philippines with Hale, Dionela, CHNDTR, Gracenote, and more". Bandwagon Asia. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  21. ^ "OPM boy band 1:43 releases second album". The Philippine Star. October 7, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  22. ^ Team Orange (June 12, 2018). "MCA Music's Newly Signed Boyband AM/FM Releases First Single "Playtime"". Orange Magazine. Philippines. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  23. ^ Reyes, Francis (February 21, 2017). "Nicole Asensio to Perform in Barcelona This Week". Billboard Philippines. Philippines. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  24. ^ "Nicole debuts as recording artist". Manila Standard. Philippines. December 12, 2015. Archived from the original on July 31, 2017. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  25. ^ Reyes, Francis (November 25, 2016). "Malaysian Star Fazura Records Song With AWIT Awards Nominee Jason Dy". Billboard Philippines. Philippines. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  26. ^ "Veronica and I - "Hello Tears"". Billboard Philippines. August 24, 2017. Retrieved August 28, 2017. The week's almost over, so you deserve to relax! Unwind with MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines)'s newly signed pop duo Veronica and I and their take on CATTSKI's "Hello Tears".
  27. ^ Lastrilla, Gary Ann (July 30, 2017). "Jona Soquite wins The Voice Teens". Push.com.ph. Philippines. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  28. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Republic Records launches in the Philippines with Zack Tabudlo, Darren Espanto and more artists on roster". NME. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
  29. ^ Villegas, Emmie (February 9, 2017). "ARE YOU A CERTIFIED DARRENATIC?". Billboard Philippines. Philippines. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
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