Universal Motown Records

Universal Motown Records was a record label that operated as a division of Universal Motown Republic Group. It was the contemporary incarnation of the legendary Motown Records label, and the "urban" half of UMRG, although there was some rock artists on the label (along with its sub-labels) as well.

Background

In 2005 Motown Records was merged with the urban artists on Universal Records to create Universal Motown Records, headed by former CEO of Elektra Records Sylvia Rhone, and placed under the newly created umbrella division of Universal Motown Republic Group. Motown Records began celebrating its fiftieth anniversary (January 12, 2009) in late 2008, including the release of a The Complete No. 1's boxset containing Motown #1 hits from Billboard's pop, R&B, and disco charts, reissues of classic-era Motown albums on CD, and other planned events, which were released in collaboration with Universal Music Group's catalog division.

Changes were made at Universal Motown Republic Group in 2011, and Motown Records was separated from Universal Motown Records and the umbrella label and merged into The Island Def Jam Music Group, making Universal Republic Records a stand-alone label and shutting down Universal Motown Republic Group. In 2012, Universal Republic Records changed its name back to Republic Records. All Universal Republic Records artists were moved to Republic Records.

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Latest News for: universal motown

Rapper Offset Schedules Russia Concert Despite His Label’s Boycott Of The Country After Ukraine Invasion

Forbes 05 Mar 2025
Offset is signed to Motown Records, a label under Universal Music Group, which announced it would cease operations in the country after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ... .

Offset Announces Concert In Moscow Despite His Label’s Russia Boycott

Stereogum 05 Mar 2025
Offset is signed to Motown Records, which falls under the corporate umbrella of Universal Music Group, the largest record label in the world ... But as Billboard notes, some Universal artists have visited Russia anyway.
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