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Universal Records (Philippines)

Recording label company in the Philippines

Field	Value
name	Universal Records (Philippines)
image	[[Image:Universal Records Ph.jpg]]
parent	Warner Music Group (1977–1992)
Independent (1992–present)
founded	1977 (as WEA Records Philippines)
founder	Warner Music Group
Bella Dy Tan
status	Active
distributor	self-distributed
genre	Various
country	Philippines
location	9/F, Universal Tower, 1487 Quezon Avenue, West Triangle, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Note

Independent (1992–present) Bella Dy Tan

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

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.

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" (covered version originally performed by APO Hiking Society).
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.

Previously distributed labels

Local

12 Stone Inc.
GMA Music
Jesuit Communications Foundation
Jesuit Music Ministry
Soupstar Music

Foreign

United States 618 International Records
Japan AI Entertainment
United Kingdom All Around the World Productions
United States American Laundromat Records
United Kingdom Angular Recording Corporation
Canada Arts & Crafts
Japan Avex Group
- Republic of China Avex Taiwan
- Hong Kong Avex Asia
  - Netherlands Armada Music
  - Japan Johnny's Entertainment
  - Germany Kontor Records
  - Japan/Singapore Major Chord Records
  - South Korea Purple Communication
  - South Korea S.M. Entertainment
  - Netherlands Vandit
United Kingdom Beggars Banquet Records
United Kingdom Blanco y Negro Records
Sweden Bonnier Amigo Music Group
United States Brickhouse Direct
United Kingdom Cooking Vinyl
- United Kingdom Take Me to the Hospital
United Kingdom Domino Records
Germany Edel Music
Spain Elefant Records
South Korea FNC Music
Japan Geneon Entertainment (music division)
Japan Imperial Records
United Kingdom Instant Karma
Germany Kitty-Yo
Sweden Labrador Records
Australia Liberation Music
Sweden Licking Fingers
South Korea LOEN Entertainment
- South Korea Stardom Entertainment
United Kingdom LTM Recordings
United States Matador Records
United Kingdom Moshi Moshi Records
United States NeoMONDE Productions
South Korea NH Media
Japan Nippon Columbia
United States Om Records
European Union PIAS
Sweden Playground Music Scandinavia
South Korea Pledis Entertainment
Japan Pony Canyon
- Malaysia Interglobal Music (Pony Canyon MY)
- Japan Leafage
United States Secretly Canadian
Sweden Service
Sweden Sincerely Yours
United States TC Music
United States TVT Records
United States Ultra Records
United Kingdom XL Recordings
South Korea Yejeon Media
South Korea YG Entertainment (2005-2012)

Artists

Current artists

Angelina Cruz (2017–present)
Angeline Quinto (2024–present)
Bey Pascua (2021–present)
brei (2024–present)
Carish (2023–present)
Choi Bo Min (2024-present)
Clare Inso (2023–present)
David Licauco (2023–present)
Donny Pangilinan (2017–present)
Dylan Menor (2025–present)
Edwin Hurry, Jr. (2023–present)
Gary Valenciano (1986–present)
Gloc-9 (2012–2016; 2021–present)
It All Started In May (2025 - present)
Jay Garche (2024–present)
JC Galano (2023–present)
Ken San Jose (2025–present)
Kim Myung Soo (2024–present)
Kim Won Shik (2023–present)
Krishnah Gravidez (2024–present)
Kyle Juliano (2017–present)
KYLIX (2023–present)
L (2024–present)
Lags (2023 - present)
Leona (2023–present)
Lorenz (2022–present)
Mark Rivera (2024 - present)
Mizael (2024–present)
Ode to Mars (2022 - present)
Parokya ni Edgar (1993–present)
Ramdiss (2023–present)
Sam Concepcion (2007–2017, 2023–present)
Sam Cruz (2023–present)
Sandiwa (2023–present)
Shanti Dope (2017–present)
Silent Sanctuary (2006–2011, 2024–present)
Slico (2025–present)
The Knobs (2022–present)
Thea Astley (2023–present)
Timmy Albert (2021–present)
Will Mikhael (2022–present)
XYVRL (2023 - present)
YGIG (2022–present)

Mustard Music (sublabel)

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

Former artists

Alden Richards (2013–2015)
APO Hiking Society (1977–2010)
Baltazar
Better Days
Billy Crawford (2008–2018)
Callalily (2012–2017)
Celeste Legaspi
Christian Bautista (2009–2021)
Claudia Barretto (2016–2020)
COLN
Dingdong Avanzado (2004–2006)
DJ Loonyo
Dotty's World
Duncan Ramos
Dyords Javier
Elmo Magalona (2016–2023)
Fern. (2017–2020)
Flavors
Geneva Cruz
George Yang (now chief executive of McDonald's Philippines)
Gino Padilla
Hotdog
Ice Seguerra (2015–2019)
Imago (2006–2010, 2019–2023)
Irene Coloso
Itchyworms (2004–2008)
Jaymie Baby
Jaya (2011–2014)
Jed Madela (2003–2013)
Jessa Zaragoza (2004–2006)
JKris
John Paul & Rochelle
Joni Feliciano
Jose Mari Chan (1985–2012)
Julie Anne San Jose
Kamikazee (2005–2015)
Karylle (2001–2008)
Kemrie Barcenas
Kris Aquino (2007–2012)
Kris Lawrence (2015–2017)
Kurei
Lani Misalucha (2006–2010)
Lyon Smith
Maine Mendoza (2017–2022)
Marco Sison
Mark Oblea
Masta Plann
Max Surban
Mel Valic
Miguel Vera
Milyo Naryo (Emil Loseñada)
Mon David
Neocolours (1991–2000)
Nexxus
Nikki Gil (2014–2016)
Nina (2010–2012)
Noel Cabangon (2009–2022)
Ogie Alcasid (2007–2017)
Orange and Lemons
Paolo Mallari
Paolo Sanders
Pilita Corrales
Rainier Castillo (2004–2006)
Ray-An Fuentes
Regine Velasquez (2007–2017)
Rico Blanco (2015–2017)
Rivermaya (2012–2014)
Roel Cortez
Roxanne Barcelo (2004–2006)
Samantha Chavez
Shamrock (2005–2010)
Sheryl Cruz
She's Only Sixteen (2012–2015)
Silent Sanctuary (2006–2012)
Six Part Invention (2012–2017)
Solenn Heussaff (2016–2018)
Sponge Cola (2006–2020)
TALA
The Company (2015–2017)
The New Everlasting Orchestra
Universal Motion Dancers
Wadab
Watawat Band
Willie Revillame (2002–2005)
Willy Garte

Trade name dispute with UMG

Universal Music Group is unable to use the "Universal" name in the Philippines due to URPI owning the trademark rights to that brand name. As a result, the UMG business in the Philippines became known as MCA Music, Inc., the latters former global trade name. On November 3, 2021, MCA Music has renamed to UMG Philippines.

References

[http://universalrecords.com.ph/company.htm Profile of URPI] {{webarchive. link. (February 10, 2010)
[http://www.pari.com.ph/members/universal.html Universal Records at PARI]
(March 22, 2023). "David Licauco signs with Universal Records".
[http://universalrecords.com.ph/local.htm Local Artists] {{webarchive. link. (February 10, 2010)
(March 31, 2013). "MCA Music Inc. (Universal Music Philippines)".

Info: Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

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