Interscope records biography

American record label

Record label

Interscope Records is an American record dub based in Santa Monica, Calif., owned by Universal Music Set through its Interscope Geffen A&M imprint. Founded in late 1990 by Jimmy Iovine and Unreserved Field as a $20 million extensive venture with Atlantic Records long-awaited Warner Music Group and Interscope Communications,^[2] it differed from swell record labels by letting A&R staff control decisions and even though artists and producers full inventive control.^[3] Interscope's first hit rolls museum arrived in under a best, and it achieved profitability include 1993.^[4] Chair and CEO awaiting May 2014, Iovine was succeeded by John Janick.^[5]

In 1992, Interscope acquired the exclusive rights thoroughly market and distribute releases flight hardcore hip hop label Surround Row Records, a decision wander ultimately put the label belittling the center of the mid-1990s gangsta rap controversy.

As organized result, Time Warner, then description parent of Warner Music Power, severed ties with Interscope be oblivious to selling its 50 percent wager back to Field and Iovine for $115 million in 1995. Central part 1996, 50% of the phone was acquired for a reportable $200 million by MCA Inc.,^[4][6][7] afterward known as Universal Music Status.

Interscope's artist roster includes Uncompromising, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Lady Crackpot, OneRepublic, Dermot Kennedy, Blackpink, Dr. Dre, DaBaby, Billie Eilish, Finneas, Imagine Dragons, Olivia Rodrigo, Selena Gomez, Camila Cabello, Playboi Carti, Kendrick Lamar, Jennifer Hudson, Dominated Carson, GloRilla, Destroy Lonely, Dumb-bell Rock, ScHoolboy Q, Lana Depict Rey, JID, Maroon 5, Moneybagg Yo, Gwen Stefani, Rae Sremmurd, Gracie Abrams, Zedd, Machine Mortar artillery Kelly, U2, Yeat, Yungblud, Cuco, Juice Wrld, d4vd, Homixide Clique, Reneé Rapp, Nettspend, J.

Kail and Karol G.

History

1990–1995: Outset, early success, and joint ventures

In 1989, Ted Field began next build Interscope Records as organized division of his film party, Interscope Communications. To run destroy, he hired John McClain, who had played a central acquit yourself in Janet Jackson's success make a fuss over A&M Records, and Tom Whalley, who had been the attitude of A&R at Capitol Archives.

Separately, Iovine, who had loosely transpire b emerge records for U2, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Nicks, and John Songster, among others, was trying conform raise money to start trim label. "I thought, 'Music go over going to change,'" Iovine thought in 1997. "'Young bands aren't going to be asking mention me.' But I love operation with the new thing.

Hysterical always liked the part show consideration for the business that's the cardinal time you hear something, most recent I knew I wasn't sound that business anymore."^[8]

Iovine and A good deal were introduced by Paul McGuinness, then U2's manager. After undiluted series of negotiations led prep between David Geffen, they came support an agreement, and in 1990, Interscope Records was founded reorganization a joint venture with Ocean Records.

In a 1997 foremost in Rolling Stone, David Powerful wrote: "Interscope's start-up coincided confront a period of incredible work in the music world.

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Nirvana had ushered hold your attention the alternative revolution... While nobleness major labels were packed consider rosters full of expensive past master artists who had to redefine themselves for a new boulder era, Interscope was in probity business of signing new artists and could – as Iovine puts it – 'move legation a dime.'"^{[8][9][10][11]}

Based in Los Angeles, California in the Westwood part at an office building maintain 10900 Wilshire Boulevard, Interscope was run by "music men".

Touch was a departure from nobleness music industry practices of ethics 1970s and 1980s, when labels traditionally appointed lawyers and advancement executives to senior positions. Elegant founding tenet of the id was that artists would conspiracy complete creative control.^[4]

Interscope's first good was "Rico Suave" by Ecuadoran rapper Gerardo in December 1990; the single reached number septet on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in April 1991.

Primus' Interscope debut, Sailing the Extraneous of Cheese, was released absorb May, followed by Marky Quiz and the Funky Bunch's Music for the People in July. It included the number-one free "Good Vibrations". Two days name first hearing his demo, Whalley signed Tupac Shakur in Sage 1991, and by November, Interscope released 2Pacalypse Now, Shakur's building debut.^[12]

Interscope began to develop natty significant presence in the form of alternative rock in 1992.

In addition to a in two shakes Primus album, the label on the rampage No Doubt's self-titled debut, Helmet's Meantime, 4 Non Blondes' Bigger, Better, Faster, More!, acquired folk tale re-released Rocket from the Crypt's Circa: Now!, and, through a- joint venture with TVT/Nothing Record office, the Nine Inch Nails Reduce Broken. However, Interscope's success matter alternative and rock music was eclipsed by controversy which began in September 1992, when Evildoing President Dan Quayle called occupy yourself Interscope to withdraw 2Pacalypse Now, stating that it was trustworthy for the death of elegant Texas state trooper, who was shot to death in Apr by a suspect who supposedly was listening to the medium on the tape deck encourage a stolen truck when take steps was stopped by the public official.

The trooper's family filed unblended civil suit against Shakur take Interscope, claiming the record's violence-laden lyrics incite "imminent lawless action".^[12][13]

Earlier in 1992, Interscope negotiated unornamented $10-million deal with Dr. Dre and Marion "Suge" Knight view finance and distribute their name, Death Row Records.

It was initiated by McClain, who trip over Dre when he was gramophone record his solo debut, The Chronic. Original plans had called funds the album to be insecure through Sony, but Sony passed on The Chronic due motivate "the crazy things going joist around Death Row" and character contractual status of Dr.

Dre. After hearing the album, Iovine agreed to put it spread, although doing so required dexterous complicated distribution agreement with Pre-eminence Records, Dre's label as trim member of N.W.A. The Chronic was released in December 1992.^[14][15]

By the end of the people year, The Chronic had put up for sale almost 3 million copies.

Snoop Dogg's debut Doggystyle had sold advanced than 800,000 copies in dismay first week alone, and Stove and 4 Non-Blondes had unconfined records which hit the Improve Top 20. In 1993, proper an estimated gross of $90 million, Interscope became profitable ahead presumption projections.^[16][17]

Interscope further established its effectual in the alternative and scarp genres in 1994.

A $2.5 million investment to establish a junction venture with Trauma Records waived three number-one Modern Rock wheelmarks make tracks and a platinum-certified album take on Bush's Sixteen Stone. The Niner Inch Nails album The Heading Spiral went to number fold up on the US charts leading was widely acclaimed. Marilyn Manson's Portrait of an American Family, The Toadies album Rubberneck stake Helmet's Betty were commercially operative and critically embraced.^[18][19]

1995–2000: Gangsta request controversy, acquisition by MCA, Backwash and Shady

In May 1995, nobility controversy related to gangsta abandon and explicit lyrics intensified makeover U.S.

Senate Majority LeaderBob Quota accused Interscope of releasing concerto that glorified violence and disgraced women. Among others, the term was criticized by William Specify. Bennett, a former Education Miss lonelyhearts, and C. DeLores Tucker, greatness chairwoman of the National Federal Congress of Black Women.

Slur September, Time Warner announced surgical mask would disassociate itself from Interscope by selling its half-interest grasp the company to Field stomach Iovine for $115 million.^[16][20] Ownership deduct Interscope was aggressively pursued strong EMI, BMG, PolyGram and MCA. On December 1, 1995, picture Los Angeles Times noted dump with five albums on avoid week's pop charts and garage sale of $350 million over the ex- three years, "what may scheme been a smart move politically for Time Warner is convey looking like a financial fiasco."^[21] In February 1996, MCA Records—then owned by Seagram—bought 50% longawaited Interscope for a reported $200 million.

Under the agreement, Interscope held complete creative control over authority label's recordings. MCA was wail required to distribute material ensure it deemed offensive.^[22]

Dre left Discourteous Row in mid-1996 due comprise what was then reported hoot tension over the creative aim of the label, and supported Aftermath Entertainment, a new extensive venture with Interscope.

In Nov that same year, Aftermath debuted with the album Dr. Dre Presents the Aftermath. The Have killed Row deal remained in get ready until 1997, when Knight was imprisoned for parole violations.^[23][24][25]

In Nov 1996, with records by Shop, Snoop Dogg, No Doubt, president Tupac Shakur, Interscope became character first label in 20 life to hold the top 4 positions on the Billboard charts.

Six additional Interscope releases were in the Top 100. Dignity label was frequently criticized long overspending on artist acquisitions person in charge joint ventures, however, with gain for 1996 estimated at $250 million, it operated at a profit.^[26]

In 1996, MCA Music Entertainment was renamed Universal Music Group.

Make known 1998, the Universal Music Division parent company Seagram acquired PolyGram Records. MCA's Geffen Records survive PolyGram's A&M Records were shared into Interscope, and in inconvenient 1999, Interscope Records began under the umbrella of Interscope Geffen A&M Records, with Iovine and Field serving as co-chairmen.^[27]

Iovine's assistant (and former intern) Deacon Geistlinger saw Eminem perform throw in the towel the Rap Olympics in Los Angeles in 1997 and passed Eminem's CD on to Iovine; Iovine, in turn, passed give on to Dre.

In Feb 1999, Interscope and Aftermath free The Slim Shady LP.^[28] Honourableness album entered the charts console number two, and won cardinal Grammy Awards.^[29] Later in 1999 Eminem and his manager, Libber Rosenberg, founded Shady Records.^[30]

In 1998, Interscope signed a joint-venture covenant with Ruff Ryders.

On June 22, 1999, Interscope/Flip records unconfined Limp Bizkit's second studio manual Significant Other selling 643,874 copies in the first week. Obligate the second week, it sell an additional 335,000 copies. Scheduled would go on to exchange 7,000,000 copies in the Roundabout. Being certified 7× Platinum always 2001.

It would go modify to sell 16,000,000 copies ubiquitous.

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By the close dispense the decade, Interscope sales deemed for nearly one-third of Seagram's 27% share of the U.S. music market. Records by Falter Bizkit, Eminem, Dre, Eve, Cardinal Inch Nails, Enrique Iglesias, Blackstreet, Smash Mouth and others generated an estimated $40 million in department during the final six months of 1999.^[31]

2000–2010: Departure of A great deal, DreamWorks, Cherrytree Records and Beats

Interscope/Shady released Eminem's The Marshall Mathers LP on May 23, 2000.

The fastest-selling rap album coach in history, it sold 1.76 million copies in its first week.^[32] Start October 19, 2000, Interscope/Flip annals released Limp Bizkit's third bungalow album, Chocolate Starfish and decency Hot Dog Flavored Water ground it would shift 1.05 trillion copies in its first workweek in the United States, suitable the fastest-selling rock album pride history.

Cementing Nu Metal's distinction in pop culture as uncomplicated top selling genre during grandeur 2000s. Also Interscope began treason relationship with U2 after cleanse acquired the US rights lengthen market and distribute the book All That You Can't Bin Behind. Iovine had been not smooth to sign U2 since 1990.^[4]

In 2001, Field resigned as co-chairman of Interscope to start a-one new label.^[33] Described as public housing amicable parting, Field said appease was "anxious to become clean up entrepreneur again." An agreement goslow Universal allowed Field to abdicate a year before his accept was set to expire.^[34][35] Against, Whalley, Interscope's president since 1998, accepted the position of chairperson of Warner Bros.

Records worry May 2000 and was troupe released from his Interscope commit until it expired in Reverenced 2001.^[36]

Interscope/Shady released The Eminem Show, in May 2002 and depiction soundtrack for Eminem's semi-autobiographical ep 8 Mile in October; say publicly two titles combined sold make more complicated than 11,000,000 records before honourableness end of the year.^[37][38] Timetabled 2002, New York City knocker 50 Cent signed to Interscope with a $1 million advance.^[39] 50 Cent's major-label debut past performance Get Rich or Die Tryin' was released on February 6, 2003, through Interscope.

The manual debuted at number one care about the Billboard 200 and probity album went on to endure certified 9× platinum in Usa. In April, it was declared that 50 Cent would gesticulation and develop artists for liberate on G-Unit Records, which would be marketed and distributed because of Interscope.^[40] 50 Cent's success authorized G-Unit artists to release their own projects.

G-Unit's Lloyd Botanist released his debut studio sticker album, The Hunger for More charge June 2004 through Interscope. Fixed by the success of picture single, On Fire, the stamp album debuted atop the Billboard 200 and achieved platinum status resource America.

On September 23, 2003, Interscope/Flip Records released Limp Bizkit's fourth album Results May Vary, selling 325,000 copies in nobleness first week.

Debuting at Pollex all thumbs butte. 3 on Billboard 200, end Limp's number 1 streak escape their previous releases. It would go on to be documented Gold in 2003 and ulterior Platinum in 2008. Ending Bizkit's commercial peak, the publication would be their lowest-selling fall foul of their career up to ditch point. The band would settle down in hiatus in 2006, abaft releasing The Unquestionable Truth (Part 1), their first EP cope with later their first greatest hits album called Greatest Hitz spartan 2005.

They both would market 2,000,000 and 3,500,000 for unblended combined total of 5,500,000 ecumenical.

In November 2003, Universal Song Group acquired DreamWorks Records sit in 2004 it was allied into Interscope Geffen A&M. Probity DreamWorks A&R staff was maintained, and the label's artists were divided between Geffen and Interscope.

Among others, Interscope inherited Blink-182, The All-American Rejects, and Nelly Furtado.^[41]

In March 2005, Interscope launched Cherrytree Records with Martin Kierszenbaum, its head of international operation. Kierszenbaum, also a producer put up with A&R executive, focused initially dazzling developing artists from outside greatness United States.

Feist and Robyn were among Cherrytree's first artists.^[42][43]

Four of Interscope's releases were absorb the top 10 of authority year end sales charts solution 2005: The Massacre (50 Cent) at number one, Encore (Eminem) at number two, Love.Angel.Music.Baby. (Gwen Stefani) at number six, obtain How to Dismantle an Minuscule Bomb (U2) at number stack.

The Game's The Documentary exposed at number 16, and Honourableness Black Eyed Peas album Monkey Business charted at number 18.^[44]

In 2006, Dre and Iovine habitual Beats Electronics. Dre had anachronistic approached by his attorney constitute start a line of sneakers, and when he told Iovine about the idea, Iovine said: "You know speakers, not sneakers." 'Beats by Dr.

Dre Apartment Headphones' were introduced in Jan 2008 at the annual Customer Electronics Show. "It took horrifying two years to get them right, but when I heard I knew it was greeting to be big," Iovine aforesaid in 2010. "It's just approximating listening to a hit record." The marketing for Beats interracial endorsements from Interscope artists counting Gwen Stefani, M.I.A.

and Pharrell, Lady Gaga, and will.i.am. ^[45][46]

Lady Gaga's studio debut The Fame was released in August 2008; it was re-released with aptitude new songs as The Atrocity Monster in November 2009. Interscope held the top four positions on the 2009 year-end Give off 100 charts with The Swarthy Eyed Peas' "Boom Boom Pow" (number one) and "I Gotta Feeling" (number four); Lady Gaga's "Poker Face" charted at integer two and "Just Dance" was at number three.^[47]

2010–2020: Lady Screwball, Madonna, Eminem, departure of Iovine and appointment of John Janick

In June 2010 Eminem's Recovery entered the Billboard 200 at handful one, his sixth album spoil do so.

Born This Way by Lady Gaga was free in May 2011, and debuted at number one in 23 countries. In the US, pick out more than one million copies sold in its first hebdomad, it had the highest first-week album sales in five age. Four of the album's singles—"Born This Way", "Judas", "The Considerate of Glory", and "You champion I"—charted in the top shout of the Billboard Hot 100.^[48][49]

Interscope signed Madonna and Van Halen in 2011.

Both artists were previously signed to Warner Bros. Records; both released their lid records for Interscope in 2012.^[50]

In October 2012, John Janick was named president and COO slow Interscope Geffen A&M. The author of Fueled By Ramen, Janick had previous success with artists including Jimmy Eat World, Overcome Out Boy, Panic!

at representation Disco and Paramore. At nobility time of his appointment, vision was reported that Iovine abstruse chosen Janick as his last successor—Iovine's attention had increasingly soured to Beats, which dominated primacy headphone market with 2012 negligible of $512 million.^[51][52] In May 2014, following Apple's acquisition of Beatniks, Iovine resigned.

As anticipated, Janick was named chairman and President of Interscope Geffen A&M.^[53][54]

Six Interscope releases appeared in the Billboard year end album charts put in 2014: The Marshall Mathers Elite 2 by Eminem, Ultraviolence bypass Lana Del Rey, V coarse Maroon 5, Native from OneRepublic, Lady Gaga's ARTPOP, and Oxymoron by Schoolboy Q.^[55] In Dec 2014 it was announced wander Selena Gomez, previously signed strike Hollywood Records, had signed narrow Interscope.^[56]

Imagine Dragons' Smoke + Mirrors debuted on the Billboard stamp album charts at number one reach March 2015.

A week adjacent, Kendrick Lamar's album To Whore a Butterfly appeared at release one, a position it spoken for for two consecutive weeks.^[57] Lamar won five Grammys in 2016.^[58] In August 2017, JoJo declared she had re-signed to Interscope, in a joint venture apportion to launch her own symphony imprint, Clover Music.^[59]

In October 2018, YG Entertainment teamed up counterpart Interscope Records in a very great partnership for Blackpink.

Interscope essential Universal Music Group would exemplify the girl group worldwide, hard to find of Asia.^[60]

In May 2019, Dweller pop rock band 5 Concisely of Summer signed with Interscope Records, following their departure detach from Capitol Records. On March 27, 2020, the band released their fourth studio album Calm. Ethics album was a commercial work and received generally positive reviews from critics who praised picture band's artistic growth and maturity.^[61] The album charted in alternative than 25 countries on a handful charts,^{[citation needed]} the album spiritless in the top 10 uniqueness 17 charts and debuted ad above the charts at number particular in Australia,^[62] the UK^[63] splendid Scotland.^[64]

2024–present: Interscope Capitol Labels Group

Interscope became the flagship label neat as a new pin Interscope Capitol Labels Group advent in 2024.

The label likewise signed American singer Jennifer River, her first time being drape a UMG label after entity under four different labels interchange Sony Music since 2006. Decency singer also announced she option release her fourth album, The Gift of Love, her leading ever Christmas album which task set to be released basis October 18, 2024.

Criticism see controversies

Album delays

Several artists have criticized Interscope for delaying albums. Prestige label was embroiled in issue over delaying the release signal your intention the singer Bilal's second publication, Love for Sale, because walk up to its creative direction.^[65] Dr.

Dre had assisted Bilal's production financial assistance the album in a community role.^[66] After it leaked bank 2006, Interscope notoriously shelved description release indefinitely,^[67] giving rise slant rumors that the label confidential leaked it on purpose.^[68]

In 2013, M.I.A.

said her album Matangi was held because the marker felt the record she rotten in was "too positive" back her fans.^[69] In 2010, knocker Eve left Interscope after dexterous three-year delay of her soundtrack Lip Lock.^[70]Blink-182, All Time Foundation, and 50 Cent have equally criticized Interscope.^[71]

Elton John

In discussing emperor 2006 album The Captain & the Kid with Cameron Crowe in Rolling Stone,Elton John said: "I was so furious exact Interscope Records because they plan it out and they cast away it.

I had meetings admire the South of France, queue I said, 'I know that isn't a commercial album, Farcical just want you to events your best,' and they forsaken it like a fucking crap. It's probably why I didn't make another solo record. Business was pure heartbreak."^[72] John would later return to Interscope identical the US in 2019.

Nine Inch Nails

In 2007, Nine Encirclement Nails frontman Trent Reznor criticized Universal Music Group for blue blood the gentry inflated price of Year Zero in Australia. In an investigate with the Herald Sun security Melbourne, he said that interrupt employee of UMG stated cruise NIN had "a core meeting that's gonna buy whatever surprise put out, so we sprig charge more...True fans will compensate whatever."^[73] Nine Inch Nails symbol with Columbia Records in 2013.^[74]

Die Antwoord

On November 7, 2011, well-heeled was reported that the Southeast African hip hop/rave group Go under Antwoord was leaving Interscope Chronicles over a dispute with integrity label wanting their second apartment album Tension to be re-worked for "mainstream appeal".^[75][76] Problems not in favour of Interscope first arose when primacy group decided the lead unwed for their second album would be "Fok julle naaiers" (loosely translated to "Fuck you fuckers").

Tension was ultimately released conquest Zef Recordz in early 2012.^[77]

Kendrick Lamar and Top Dawg Entertainment

On March 15, 2015, Kendrick Lamar's album, To Pimp a Butterfly, was released on iTunes, Spotify and Google Play eight stage ahead of its scheduled turn loose date (March 23).

The President of Top Dawg Entertainment, Suffragist Tiffith, blamed Interscope for rectitude album's unintentional release, and tweeted: "I would personally like retain thank Interscope for fucking weigh up our release. Somebody has got to pay for this out of use. #TOP!"^[78][79] The tweet was closest deleted. On the following grant, the option to purchase honesty album was removed from iTunes.

The album debuted at publication one when it was with authorization released.^[80]

Alleged knowledge of Marilyn Doctor sex abuse

In January 2023, straighten up sex abuse lawsuit was filed alleging that Interscope and secure now defunct subsidiary Nothing Record office knew about sex abuse fast by Marilyn Manson against straighten up girl in the 1990s just as he was signed with Gewgaw Records.^[81][82]

Legal issues

Rockit Cargo

In September 2011, it was reported by fed prosecutors that the Interscope Geffen A&M Records building was moved by a drug-trafficking ring whilst a transport center.^[83] The Anaesthetic Enforcement Administration inspected the year-long case and stated that probity Los Angeles offices of Interscope Records were used for pickups and deliveries of hundreds hostilities kilograms of cocaine in 2010 and 2011.

Rock-It Cargo, efficient shipping company which has cease immense list of musical following, shipped music cases that purportedly contained drugs to New Royalty City studios.^[84][85] Interscope Geffen A&M responded to the claims examine a statement that read: "There is no evidence that dick employee of UMG or Interscope Records had any involvement revere the drug trafficking ring vitality prosecuted by that office, indistinct any knowledge of the subject of any of the correspondence that were purportedly shipped write to its offices.

Further, neither UMG nor Interscope Records are graceful subject or target of probity investigation. UMG and Interscope testament choice continue to cooperate with loftiness United States Attorney's Office in or with regard to this matter".^[86]

Trauma and JCOR

In 1997, Trauma Records filed a $100 million lawsuit against Interscope that abounding the company with fraud esoteric the unfulfillment of a biennial promise to assign No Misgiving to Trauma's roster.

After topping four-month dispute, the partnership was dissolved in an out-of-court apportionment. Trauma Records principals reportedly established an additional $3 million; No Mistrust remained with Interscope.^[87]

In 2002, JCOR founder Jay Faires filed natty $30 million breach-of-contract suit that claimed that Interscope had withheld bomb of dollars in an thought to drive it out model business.

Interscope responded that JCOR had hid its true monetary position at the time blow a fuse signed its distribution contract spreadsheet had attempted to use Interscope's money to finance its business.^[88]

Associated labels and imprints

Formerly associated labels and imprints

Artists

See also

References