Capitol Music Group (CMG) is a frontline umbrella label company owned by Universal Music Group, based in Hollywood, California in the iconic Capitol Tower.
The company was led by Chairman & CEO Steve Barnett since November 2012. Since January 2021, following Barnett’s retirement, the company is led by Chairman & CEO, Jeff Vaughn, alongside President & COO, Michelle Jubelirer.
CMG was created in early 2007 by its former owner, EMI, following a restructuring program that resulted in the merger of Capitol Records and Virgin Records America.
The restructure was reportedly designed to save $217 million a year.
Virgin Records and Capitol Records continued as imprints under the Capitol Music Group banner.
In addition to Capitol Records and Virgin Records, Capitol Music Group is comprised of Motown Records, Blue Note Records, Astralwerks, Harvest Records and Capitol Christian Music Group, as well as Capitol Studios plus the company’s independent distribution and label services arm, Caroline.
In September 2012, Universal Music Group concluded its £1.2 billion acquisition of EMI Recorded Music and became the owner of Capitol Music Group and the labels under its banner in the process.
Artists that record / have recorded for CMG labels include: Erykah Badu, Banks, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Beck, Bee Gees, Jon Bellion, B.J. The Chicago Kid, Rosanne Cash, Christine and the Queens, Neil Diamond, Robert Glasper, Halsey, Don Henley, Hillsong United, Niall Horan, Illenium, Judah And The Lion, Tori Kelly, Kem, Lil Baby, Lil Yachty, Charles Lloyd, tobyMac, Paul McCartney, Vic Mensa, Migos, Ne-Yo, NF, Norah Jones, Katy Perry, Gregory Porter, Rich Homie Quan, Maggie Rogers, Calum Scott, Bob Seger, Troye Sivan, Sam Smith and Chris Tomlin.Music Business Worldwide