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{{short description|American record label}}{{More citations needed|date=September 2023}}

factoids

| image = Geffen Records logo.svg| image_size = 91px| parent = Universal Music Group (UMG)David GeffenWarner Bros. Records/Warner Music Group (1980-1990)Interscope Geffen A&M Records {{small>(United States)}}Polydor Records>Polydor {{small|(United Kingdom)}}}}| genre = Various| country = United States| location = Santa Monica, California, U.S.www.interscope.com/|interscope.com}}}}Geffen Records (formerly Geffen Records Inc. until 2004) is an American record label, founded in 1980 by David Geffen. Originally a music subsidiary of the now-defunct Geffen Pictures, it is owned by the Interscope Geffen A&M (IGA) faction of Universal Music Group (UMG).Geffen has been a part of IGA since 1999 and has been used by Universal Music as a syndicating division of Interscope Records, serving its purpose to operate as a premier label for many new releases since 2003 and its 2017 reboot. At the same time, it is projected to reissue many releases from recording labels (some of which have been directly absorbed into Geffen) such as Decca Records (exclusively the American pop/rock catalog), Kapp Records, DreamWorks Records, MCA Records, Uni Records, Chess Records, Almo Sounds (Interscope has managed reissues of the label in 2015), Dot Records, ABC Records (primarily its pop, rock, and R&B recordings) and DGC Records (the label had merged into Geffen in 2021 with reissues now being handled by the parent label).

History

Formation (1980–1990)

File:David Geffen.jpg|thumb|David GeffenDavid GeffenGeffen Records began operations in 1980. It was created by music industry businessman David GeffenTom King, The Operator: David Geffen Builds, Buys, and Sells the New Hollywood, pp. 303–307, Broadway Books (New York 2001). who, in the early 1970s, had co-founded Asylum Records with Elliot Roberts. Geffen stepped down from Asylum in 1975, when he crossed over to film and was named a vice president of Warner Bros. Pictures. He was fired from Warner {{Circa|1978}}, but still remained locked in a five-year contract, which prevented him from working elsewhere. When that deal expired, he returned to work in 1980 and struck a deal with Warner Bros. Records (now simply Warner Records, due to the label’s disassociation from Warner Bros. Pictures in 2004),WEB, Aswad, Jem, 2019-05-28, Warner Bros. Records Rebrands as Warner Records,variety.com/2019/music/news/warner-bros-records-rebrands-as-warner-records-1203226630/, 2024-02-13, Variety, en-US, WEB, Leeds, Jeff, 2004-03-01, Warner Music sale paves way for shake-up,www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-mar-01-et-leeds1-story.html, 2024-02-13, Los Angeles Times, en-US, to create Geffen Records.WEB, A WARNER MUSIC GROUP TIMELINE,hitsdailydouble.com/news&id=281503&title=A-WARNER-MUSIC-GROUP-TIMELINE, 2024-02-13, HITS Daily Double, en, Warner Bros. Records provided 100 percent of the funding for the label’s start-up and operations, while it distributed its releases in North America, with CBS’s Epic Records handling distribution in the rest of the world until 1985 when Warner Music Group (parent company of Warner Records and formerly a division of Time Warner/Warner Bros. Discovery until 2004) took over distribution for the rest of the world. Profits were split 50% each between Geffen Records and its respective distributors.The label’s first artist signing was superstar Donna Summer, whose gold-selling album The Wanderer became the label’s first release in 1980. At the time, Donna Summer was undergoing a dispersing contract with and subsequent lawsuit against Universal Music Group’s Casablanca Records.WEB, Contrasting Diana Ross’ and Donna Summer’s Careers: [Archive] - SoulfulDetroit Forums,soulfuldetroit.com/archive/index.php/t-30735.html, 2024-02-13, soulfuldetroit.com, The label then released Double Fantasy by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Two weeks after it entered the charts, Lennon was murdered in New York City.WEB, John Lennon’s Death: Inside His 1980 Murder and Where His Killer Is Today,people.com/john-lennon-death-what-to-know-7511226, 2024-02-13, Peoplemag, en, WEB, John Lennon shot {{!, December 8, 1980 |url=https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/john-lennon-shot |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=HISTORY |language=en}} Subsequently, the album went on to sell millions and gave Geffen its first number-one album and single; the rights to the album would later be taken over by EMI, which eventually would be absorbed by Geffen’s then-future parent, Universal Music Group in 2012.WEB, 2012-09-28, Universal Music completes acquisition of EMI Music,www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/universal-music-completes-acquisition-of-emi-music/, 2024-02-13, Music Business Worldwide, en-US, WEB, Szalai, Georg, 2012-09-28, Universal Music Completes $1.9 Billion EMI Recorded Music Acquisition,www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/universal-music-completes-19-billion-374965/, 2024-02-13, The Hollywood Reporter, en-US, As the mid-1980s progressed, Geffen would go on to have extended success with such acts as Asia, Berlin, Enya, Kylie Minogue, Quarterflash, Wang Chung, and Sammy Hagar. The label also signed several established acts such as Elton John, Irene Cara, Cher, Debbie Harry, Don Henley, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Peter Gabriel, and Jennifer Holliday. Toward the end of the decade, the company also began making a name for itself as an emerging rock label, thanks to the success of Whitesnake (U.S. and Canada only), The Stone Roses, Guns N’ Roses, Tesla, Sonic Youth and the comeback of 1970s-era rockers Aerosmith. This prompted Geffen to create a subsidiary label, DGC Records (formerly the David Geffen Company), in 1990; which focused on more progressive rock and would later embrace the emergence of alternative rock—Nirvana being an example.NEWS, 1990-03-21, COMPANY NEWS; Geffen Starts A New Label,www.nytimes.com/1990/03/21/business/company-news-geffen-starts-a-new-label.html, 2024-02-13, The New York Times, Geffen also briefly distributed the first incarnation of Def American Recordings (now simply American Recordings) through Warner Music Group from 1988 to 1990.

Acquisitions by MCA, Panasonic and Seagram (1990–1998)

After nearly a decade of operating through WMG, its contract with the company. Geffen was then sold to MCA Music Entertainment, by then, a label division of the now-defunct MCA Inc. in 1990.WEB, Jr, JUBE SHIVER, Cieply, Michael, 1990-03-15, MCA Buys Out Last Major Independent Record Label : Entertainment: In a much anticipated deal, the giant conglomerate will get Geffen Records for stock worth $545 million.,www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-03-15-fi-389-story.html, 2024-02-13, Los Angeles Times, en-US, The deal earned founder David Geffen an estimated US$800 million in stock and an employment contract that ran until then. Following the sale, Geffen Records operated as one of MCA’s leading independently managed labels. A year later, MCA was acquired by Japanese conglomerate Matsushita Electric (now Panasonic), bringing Geffen, Universal Pictures and other sister companies along.NEWS, 1991-01-01, COMPANY NEWS; MCA Takeover Is Completed,www.nytimes.com/1991/01/01/business/company-news-mca-takeover-is-completed.html, The New York Times, The acquisition was completed on New Year’s Day 1991 for $6.6 billion USD.WEB, Content, Contributed, 1991-01-01, Matsushita closes MCA deal: Matsushita Electric Industrial…,www.chicagotribune.com/1991/01/01/matsushita-closes-mca-deal-matsushita-electric-industrial/, 2024-02-13, Chicago Tribune, en-US, Geffen stepped down as head of the label in 1995 to collaborate with Jeffrey Katzenberg and Amblin Entertainment co-founder Steven Spielberg to form DreamWorks SKG (later DreamWorks Pictures),WEB, Mendelson, Scott, 15 Years Of DreamWorks Animation And Its Complicated Legacy,www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2013/10/02/15-years-of-dreamworks-animation-and-its-complicated-legacy/, 2024-02-13, Forbes, en, an ambitious multimedia empire dealing in film, television, books and music. Geffen Records would distribute releases on the newly-founded company’s DreamWorks Records subsidiary. That spring, Panasonic’s ownership percentage of MCA was decreased to 20% when the remaining 80% was sold to Canadian distillery company Seagram in exchange for $5.7 billion USD.WEB, Bates, James, Eller, Claudia, 1995-04-10, Seagram Signs Deal to Buy 80% of MCA : Hollywood: Firm agrees to pay Matsushita $5.7 billion for controlling interest. Future of Wasserman, Sheinberg remains unclear.,www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-04-10-mn-53050-story.html, 2024-02-13, Los Angeles Times, en-US, NEWS, 1995-04-10, THE MCA SALE: THE DEAL; Seagram Puts the Finishing Touches on Its $5.7 Billion Acquisition of MCA,www.nytimes.com/1995/04/10/business/mca-sale-deal-seagram-puts-finishing-touches-its-5.7-billion-acquisition-mca.html, 2024-02-13, The New York Times, In January 1996, Geffen funded and distributed a short-lived boutique label, Outpost Recordings, featuring the likes of Whiskeytown, Ry Cooder, Veruca Salt, and Hayden.NEWS,www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-01-26-fi-28928-story.html, Company Town: Outpost? Nascent Firm Is in the Middle of It All, Phillips, Chuck, Los Angeles Times, January 26, 1996, July 23, 2021, subscription, On December 9, 1996, Geffen’s parent company, MCA Inc. was reincorporated as Universal Studios, Inc. Even so, its music division, MCA Music Entertainment Group, was also renamed Universal Music Group.WEB, Busch, Anita M., 1996-12-10, A whole new U for MCA,variety.com/1996/scene/vpage/a-whole-new-u-for-mca-1117466464/, 2024-02-13, Variety, en-US, WEB, By, 1996-12-11, MCA INC. CHANGES ITS NAME,www.orlandosentinel.com/1996/12/11/mca-inc-changes-its-name/, 2024-02-13, Orlando Sentinel, en-US, WEB, Bates, James, 1996-12-10, Name Dropping : Parent Firm Won’t Be ‘MCA’ Anymore,www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-12-10-fi-7695-story.html, 2024-02-13, Los Angeles Times, en-US, However, under UMG’s new ownership, Geffen’s fortunes began to dwindle.WEB, Hilburn, Robert, Boucher, Geoff, Philips, Chuck, 1999-01-22, A & M Records Closes; Geffen Lays Off 110,www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jan-22-mn-524-story.html, 2022-10-24, Los Angeles Times, en-US,

PolyGram merger and Interscope Geffen A&M (1999–2003)

On December 10, 1998, Seagram completed its seven-month $10.6 billion plan to acquire PolyGram. As a result, PolyGram’s music division was merged into Universal Music Group.NEWS, Strauss, Neil, 1998-12-21, A Major Merger Shakes Up the World of Rock,www.nytimes.com/1998/12/21/arts/a-major-merger-shakes-up-the-world-of-rock.html, The New York Times, WEB, Philips, Chuck, Eller, Claudia, 1998-05-22, Seagram Uncorks $10.6-Billion Deal to Buy PolyGram,www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-may-22-mn-52474-story.html, 2024-02-13, Los Angeles Times, en-US, Geffen now became sister labels to A&M Records, Island Records, Mercury Records, Def Jam Recordings and Motown (which had previously been a part of UMG during its preceding MCA days from 1988 to 1993). In the ensuing months, a number of corporate reshufflings occurred,WEB, Sandler, Adam, 1998-12-11, Music will boot 3,000,variety.com/1998/music/news/music-will-boot-3-000-1117489335/, 2024-02-13, Variety, en-US, resulting in Geffen and A&M, on New Year’s Eve 1998, being merged into Interscope Geffen A&M Records.WEB, The end of an era for A&M and Geffen,ew.com/article/1999/02/05/end-era-am-and-geffen/, 2024-02-13, EW.com, en, Interscope Geffen A&M became one of Universal Music Group’s four new label factions alongside the Verve Label Group, Universal Motown Republic Group and the Island Def Jam Music Group. However, the IGA merger resulted in Geffen firing 110 of its employees. Unlike A&M, which was closed entirely, Geffen was able to continue existing as a one-off brand under Interscope Records. At the same time, international distribution of Interscope and Geffen releases respectively switched from BMG Distribution and Island Records UK to ex-PolyGram label Polydor Records, which had already been distributing A&M releases overseas (in return for A&M handling Polydor releases in the U.S.); A&M was forced to remain as a one-off active label for Interscope following a lawsuit by its co-founders Jerry Moss and Herb Alpert, which was later settled in 2003.WEB, A&M Founders Sue Universal,www.mtv.com/news/ih6bwd/am-founders-sue-universal, 2024-02-13, MTV, en, WEB, Leeds, Jeff, 2003-03-12, Herb Alpert’s Vivendi Deal Has $200-Million Encore Performance,www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-mar-12-fi-alpert12-story.html, 2024-02-13, Los Angeles Times, en-US, In October 1999, Jordan Schur (of Flip Records) was declared Geffen’s new president; this led to Schur stepping down as the head of Flip, but he still managed to maintain control of the label, while certain acts from Flip’s roster, such as Cold and Professional Murder Music, were transferred over to Geffen.WEB, Sandler, Adam, 1999-11-01, ‘Days’ start for Schur, Geffen,variety.com/1999/music/news/days-start-for-schur-geffen-1117757578/, 2022-10-24, Variety, en-US, Geffen’s first release under Schur’s leadership was the End of Days soundtrack, released in November 1999. Geffen became a predominantly rock music-based label.

MCA, DGC and DreamWorks Records merger (2003)

Geffen continued to do steady business—even within 2003, UMG folded MCA Records into Geffen that July.WEB, MCA, GEFFEN TO MERGE,hitsdailydouble.com/news&id=276833&title=MCA-GEFFEN-TO-MERGE, 2024-02-13, HITS Daily Double, en, WEB, Leeds, Jeff, 2003-06-10, MCA Is Virtually Eliminated in Cutback,www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jun-10-fi-mca10-story.html, 2024-02-13, Los Angeles Times, en-US, Though Geffen had been substantially a pop-rock label, its absorption of MCA (and its back catalogs) led to a more diverse roster; with former MCA artists such as Mary J. Blige, The Roots, Blink-182, Rise Against, Common and Yeat now being transferred to the label. Meanwhile, DreamWorks Records, in October, also folded, with its artists roster, consisting of Nelly Furtado, Lifehouse and Rufus Wainwright, being absorbed by Geffen as well.WEB, CNN.com - Dreamworks near music deal - Oct. 31, 2003,www.cnn.com/2003/BUSINESS/10/31/dreamworks.reut/, 2024-02-13, www.cnn.com, WEB, 2003-11-11, Universal Music to buy DreamWorks,www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna3475307, 2024-02-13, NBC News, en, The absorption occurred following a reorganization at DreamWorks Pictures, which resulted in DreamWorks Animation being divested and DreamWorks Records being acquired by UMG.WEB, Leeds, Jeff, 2003-10-31, DreamWorks Agrees to Sell Label to Vivendi,www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-oct-31-fi-dream31-story.html, 2024-02-13, Los Angeles Times, en-US, WEB, Dreamworks selling music division - UPI Archives,www.upi.com/Archives/2003/10/31/Dreamworks-selling-music-division/6181067576400/, 2024-02-13, UPI, en, During this time, the remains of DGC Records were also folded into Geffen, although the label was previously absorbed in 1999 following its merger with Interscope. Retained artists, Beck and Sonic Youth, were later redirected to record for Geffen afterwards; DGC was later reactivated in 2007, later operating under Interscope rather than Geffen.With the mergers of MCA, DGC and DreamWorks into Geffen, more than 103 employees were laid off.WEB, Leeds, Jeff, 2003-06-11, Universal Music Continues Job Cuts,www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jun-11-fi-rup11.10-story.html, 2024-02-13, Los Angeles Times, en-US,

Continued success (2003–2009)

As the mid-2000s progressed, Geffen’s absorption of the MCA, DGC and DreamWorks labels, along with the signage of new acts such as Ashlee Simpson, Angels & Airwaves and Snoop Dogg, had boosted the company to the extent that it began gaining equal footing with the main Interscope label, leading some industry insiders to speculate that it could revert to operating as an independently managed imprint at UMG again.WEB, Duhigg, Charles, 2006-08-14, Musician Is Front Man at Geffen,www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-aug-14-fi-fair14-story.html, 2024-02-13, Los Angeles Times, en-US, In 2006, musician Ron Fair was named the chairman of Geffen. That same year, after disputes with Interscope co-founder Jimmy Iovine (at the time, the chairman and CEO of Interscope Geffen A&M, parent unit of Geffen), former labelmates 50 Cent and Dr. Dre, rapper The Game was dismissed from G-Unit Records and Interscope division imprint Aftermath Entertainment (the respective labels of the aforementioned latter two), but was later transferred to Geffen to avoid contractual obligations with G-Unit.WEB, TenchanterS, Insanul Ahmed, OrNah, Erik Ross, Lauren Nostro, 16 Label Changes That Shocked The Rap Game,www.complex.com/music/a/insanul-ahmed/16-label-changes-that-shocked-the-rap-game, 2024-02-13, Complex, en-us, His sophomore studio album (also his first under the label), Doctor’s Advocate, debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 upon release on November 14, 2006.MAGAZINE, Billboard Staff, 2006-11-22, The Game Wins No. 1 On The Billboard 200,www.billboard.com/music/music-news/the-game-wins-no-1-on-the-billboard-200-56593/, 2024-02-13, Billboard, en-US, Geffen’s urban division pertained even more notoriety with the IGA resigning of Keyshia Cole through the imprint, following DGC’s relaunch and A&M’s revitalization as A&M Octone Records in 2007; Cole was previously signed to sister label A&M early in her career from 2004 to that point. Her sophomore album, Just like You, received critical praise and debuted at number two on the Billboard 200.MAGAZINE, Hasty, Katie, 2007-10-03, Rascal Flatts Races To No. 1 In Debut-Heavy Week,www.billboard.com/music/music-news/rascal-flatts-races-to-no-1-in-debut-heavy-week-1048649/, 2024-02-13, Billboard, en-US, However, at the end of 2007, Geffen was subsided further into Interscope.MAGAZINE, Halperin, Shirley, 4 December 2007, Music industry layoffs on the horizon, Entertainment Weekly,ew.com/article/2007/12/04/volume-goes-up/, The restructuring resulted in Geffen laying off sixty employees.NEWS, 14 December 2007, Universal Music Slashes Staff, Doug Morris Still Employed, Vulture,www.vulture.com/2007/12/universal_music_slashes_staff.html, NEWS, R.I.P., Perez Hilton,perezhilton.com/rip-32/, In 2009, it was announced that Geffen Records had signed an agreement with the Holy See to produce an album of Marian songs and prayers from Pope Benedict XVI.NEWS, Rocca, Francis X., 2009-07-31, Pope signs with same label as Snoop Dogg, Ashlee Simpson, USA Today,www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2009-07-31-pope-album_N.htm,

Relaunches (2011–2017)

Interscope Geffen A&M chairman and CEO Jimmy Iovine relaunched Geffen in 2011, moving its headquarters from Santa Monica to New York City. Former manager of Kanye West, Gee Roberson was appointed chairman.NEWS, Morris, Christopher, 2011-06-21, Gee Roberson named chairman of Geffen Records, Variety,variety.com/article/VR1118038906?refCatId=16, 2020-02-27, 2012-11-09,www.variety.com/article/VR1118038906?refCatId=16," title="web.archive.org/web/20121109044239www.variety.com/article/VR1118038906?refCatId=16,">web.archive.org/web/20121109044239www.variety.com/article/VR1118038906?refCatId=16, dead, However, in late 2013, the label went idle with a majority of Geffen’s artists now recording under Interscope.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}On May 28, 2014, Iovine departed from Interscope Geffen A&M as its chairman and CEO and hired Fueled by Ramen co-founder John Janick as his replacement.MAGAZINE, Christman, Ed, 2014-05-28, Jimmy Iovine Leaving Interscope Geffen A&M,www.billboard.com/music/music-news/jimmy-iovine-leaving-interscope-geffen-am-6099411/, 2024-02-13, Billboard, en-US, WEB, Frydenlund, Zach, Jimmy Iovine Leaves Interscope Records,www.complex.com/music/a/zach-frydenlund/jimmy-iovine-leaves-interscope-records, 2024-02-13, Complex, en-us, WEB, 2014-05-29, Jimmy Iovine Parting Ways With Interscope,hypebeast.com/2014/5/jimmy-iovine-parting-ways-with-interscope, 2024-02-13, Hypebeast, In March 2017, Neil Jacobson was appointed president of Geffen Records to oversee the second relaunch of the label via new signings as well as reinvigoration of the label’s legendary catalog.MAGAZINE, Gensler, Andy, 2017-03-24, Neil Jacobson: How to Go From Golf Caddy to Geffen Records President,www.billboard.com/articles/business/7736470/neil-jacobson-interview-geffen-records-president, 13 August 2017, Billboard, WEB, McIntyre, Hugh, Legendary Label Geffen Records Relaunches After Disappearing,www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2017/03/23/legendary-label-geffen-records-relaunches-after-disappearing/, 2024-02-13, Forbes, en, MAGAZINE, Aswad, Jem, 2017-03-23, Geffen Records to Relaunch With Neil Jacobson as President: Exclusive,www.billboard.com/pro/geffen-records-relaunch-neil-jacobson-roster/, 2024-02-13, Billboard, en-US,

Neil Jacobson’s departure and 2020s success (2019–present)

In 2018, Interscope musician DJ Snake was drafted to Geffen to release his second studio album, Carte Blanche, which commenced on July 26, 2019. Its single, “Taki Taki”, went on to accumulate four million equivalent units in the United States and peak at number one on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart.MAGAZINE, Aniftos, Rania, 2018-10-19, DJ Snake’s ‘Taki Taki’ Surpasses 100 Million YouTube Views,www.billboard.com/music/music-news/dj-snake-taki-taki-100-million-views-youtube-8480882/, 2024-02-13, Billboard, en-US, MAGAZINE, Bustios, Pamela, 2018-10-08, DJ Snake, Selena Gomez, Ozuna & Cardi B’s ‘Taki Taki’ Debuts at No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs Chart,www.billboard.com/pro/dj-snake-selena-gomez-ozuna-cardi-b-taki-taki-hot-latin-songs/, 2024-02-13, Billboard, en-US, In December 2019, Neil Jacobson vacated his position as the president of Geffen, leaving to start his own company, Crescent Drive Productions.WEB, Halperin, Shirley, 2019-12-11, Neil Jacobson Exits Geffen Records; Launches Crescent Drive Productions,variety.com/2019/music/news/neil-jacobson-geffen-records-crescent-drive-productions-1203433316/, 2021-03-12, Variety, en-US, The following month to a new year, in mid-January 2020, Lee L’Heureux was appointed the general manager of Geffen.WEB, HITS Daily Double : Rumor Mill - GEFFEN’S LATEST MOVES,hitsdailydouble.com/news&id=319564&title=GEFFEN%27S-LATEST-MOVES, 2021-03-12, HITS Daily Double, en, The label then started to see more success from artists Rod Wave, Lil Durk, Yungblud and Hotboii (the former two were signed to Geffen through Todd Moscowitz’s Alamo Records).WEB, GEFFEN’S LATEST MOVES,hitsdailydouble.com/news&id=319564&title=GEFFENS-LATEST-MOVES, 2024-02-13, HITS Daily Double, en, {{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}In a staff exchange that July, longtime Interscope executive Nicole Bilzerian was drafted to Geffen to become its executive vice president.WEB, Variety Staff, 2020-07-15, Geffen Records Names Nicole Bilzerian Executive VP,variety.com/2020/music/news/geffen-records-names-nicole-bilzerian-executive-vp-1234707706/, 2024-02-13, Variety, en-US, Olivia Rodrigo joined Geffen in the fall of 2020.WEB, 2021-01-05, Disney+ Actress Olivia Rodrigo Signs to Geffen Records,www.musicconnection.com/disney-actress-olivia-rodrigo-signs-to-geffen-records/, 2024-02-13, Music Connection Magazine, en-US, Her single, “Drivers License”, made the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 2021.MAGAZINE, 2021-01-20, Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drivers License” Harnesses the Power of Good Old-Fashioned Heartbreak,www.vanityfair.com/style/2021/01/olivia-rodrigo-drivers-license, 2024-02-13, Vanity Fair, en-US, MAGAZINE, Blake, Emily, 2021-07-01, Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Drivers License’ Ruled the First Half of 2021 - and It Wasn’t Even Close,www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/olivia-rodrigo-drivers-license-biggest-song-2021-1190881/, 2024-02-13, Rolling Stone, en-US, WEB, GEFFEN OPENS 2021 WITH RECORD-BREAKING DEBUT SINGLE,hitsdailydouble.com/news&id=324694&title=GEFFEN-OPENS-2021-WITH-RECORD-BREAKING-DEBUT-SINGLE, 2024-02-13, HITS Daily Double, en, That May, she released her debut album, Sour. It accumulated 295,000 album-equivalent units.MAGAZINE, Caulfield, Keith, 2021-05-30, Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Sour’ Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart With 2021’s Biggest Week,www.billboard.com/pro/olivia-rodrigo-sour-billboard-200-debut-2021-biggest-week/, 2024-02-13, Billboard, en-US, Its five-week reign at number one on the Billboard 200 became the longest by a female recording artist that year.MAGAZINE, Caulfield, Keith, 2021-08-29, Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Sour’ Returns to No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart After Vinyl Release,www.billboard.com/pro/olivia-rodrigo-sour-returns-number-one-billboard-200-albums-chart-2/, 2024-02-13, Billboard, en-US, Sour also made Rodrigo the first Geffen recording artist and first female artist overall to have a number one album under the label in nearly 13 years since Mary J. Blige’s Growing Pains (2007).{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}WEB, Ellis, Stacy-Ann, 2023-12-18, Mary J. Blige’s ‘Growing Pains’ Makes Peace With Pain,www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/mary-j-blige-growing-pains/, 2024-02-13, uDiscover Music, en-US, Rodrigo followed up Sour in 2023 with Guts.NEWS, 2023-12-27, Olivia Rodrigo’s Guts is critics’ favourite album of 2023,www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-67822639, 2024-02-13, en-GB, Released in September, it once again debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, though its first week units were moderately slim behind the artist’s debut.MAGAZINE, Caulfield, Keith, 2023-09-17, Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Guts’ Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart,www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/olivia-rodrigo-guts-debuts-number-one-billboard-200-albums-chart-1235414540/, 2024-02-13, Billboard, en-US, Also, in 2023, Interscope artist Kali Uchis was drafted to Geffen before releasing her sophomore album, Red Moon in Venus, earlier that March.WEB, Kali Uchis evokes chaos and beauty of love on album ‘Red Moon In Venus’,www.browndailyherald.com/article/2023/03/kali-uchis-evokes-chaos-and-beauty-of-love-on-album-red-moon-in-venus, 2024-02-13, The Brown Daily Herald, en-US, The album peaked at number four on the Billboard 200, another top five charting success for the label that year.MAGAZINE, Anderson, Trevor, 2023-03-16, Kali Uchis Earns First Top 10 on R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart With ‘Red Moon in Venus’,www.billboard.com/pro/kali-uchis-red-moon-venus-top-10-rb-hip-hop-albums-chart/, 2024-02-13, Billboard, en-US, Since 2024, Geffen has been a part of Universal Music Group’s Interscope Capitol Labels Group.

Labels

• HYBE
• Cinematic Music Group
• Downtown Records
• Rebel Music
• Simple Stupid Records
• GoodTalk

Artists

{{see also|List of Geffen Records artists}}

Current artists

{{unreferenced section|date=September 2021}}

• 4TUNAT (FlyTown/Geffen)
• Abby Jasmine (Cinematic Music Group/Geffen Records; distribution formerly licensed to Foundation Media)
• Ado (Virgin Music/Geffen)
• Alesso (10:22PM/Geffen)
• Ann Marie
• Avicii
• Big Time Rush (Downtown Records/Geffen)
• BoyNextDoor (Hybe – KOZ/Geffen; distribution in the US)
• Braden Bales
• BTS (Hybe – Big Hit/Geffen; distribution in the US)
• Byron Messia
• Camila Cabello
• Celeste
• Cian Ducrot
• ColintheKidd (Droolpz Records)
• Dave (Neighbourhood/Geffen)
• Dexter Tortoriello (Downtown Records/Geffen)
• Easy Life
• Enhypen (Hybe – Belift Lab/Geffen; distribution in the US)
• Fromis 9 (Hybe – Pledis/Geffen; distribution in the US)
• Guns N’ Roses
• Highway (Victor Victor Worldwide/Geffen)
• Holly Humberstone
• Hotboii (Rebel Music/Geffen)
• Illit (Hybe – Belift Lab/Geffen; distribution in the USx.com/GeffenRecords/status/1772375031546319327?s=20
• Inhaler
• J-Hope (Hybe – Big Hit/Geffen; distribution in the US)
• Jimin (Hybe – Big Hit/Geffen; distribution in the US)
• Jungkook (Hybe – Big Hit/Geffen; distribution in the US)
• Kali Uchis (EMI/Geffen; Previously with Interscope)
• Katseye (Hybe/Geffen)
• Le Sserafim (Hybe – Source Music/Geffen; distribution in the US)
• Kenneth Cash (Cinematic Music Group/Geffen)
• Kidd G
• Lawsy (LISTEN TO THE KIDS/Geffen)
• Lil Heat (Cinematic Music Group/Geffen; distribution licensed to Ingrooves and previously with Foundation Media)
• Lola Kirke (Downtown Records/Geffen)
• Lul Bob (Good Money Global/Cinematic Music Group/Geffen; distribution licensed to Ingrooves and previously with Foundation Media)
• That Mexican OT
• Michael Kiwanuka
• midwxst (Simple Stupid/Geffen)
• Neon Trees (Thrill Forever Records/Downtown Records/Geffen)
• NewJeans (Hybe – ADOR/Geffen; distribution in the US)MAGAZINE, Benjamin, Jeff, Meet NewJeans: HYBE’s Global Breakout Girl Group Where ‘Everything Was Riding on Secrecy’,www.billboard.com/music/pop/newjeans-interview-hybe-ador-girl-group-min-hee-jin-1235141512/, Billboard (magazine), Billboard, 24 September 2022, 20 September 2022, September 21, 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220921020020/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/newjeans-interview-hybe-ador-girl-group-min-hee-jin-1235141512/, live,
• Nirvana (from DGC Records) (Reissues)
• Jace! (Simple Stupid/Geffen; distribution licensed to Ingrooves and previously with Foundation Media)
• Ola Runt (Front Street/Cinematic Music Group/Geffen; distribution formerly licensed to Ingrooves and previously with Foundation Media)
• Olivia Rodrigo
• Prentiss (Cinematic Music Group/Geffen)
• Riovaz (Darkroom/Geffen)
• RM (Hybe – Big Hit/Geffen; distribution in the US)
• Rob49 (Rebel Music/Geffen; distribution licensed to Ingrooves and previously with Foundation Media)
• SeventeenMAGAZINE,www.billboard.com/amp/articles/columns/k-town/9574257/seventeen-release-date-mini-album-your-choice, Seventeen Announce Release Date for Mini Album, ‘Your Choice’, Billboard (magazine), Billboard, May 18, 2021, en-US, 2022-02-01, (Hybe – Pledis/Geffen; distribution in the US)
• Skaiwater (Cinematic Music Group/Geffen)
• Skilla Baby
• Smokingskul (Simple Stupid/Geffen Records)WEB,www.simplestupidrecords.com/artists, Simple Stupid Records, Simple Stupid Records,
• SpotemGottem (Rebel Music/Geffen Records)
• Suga (Hybe – Big Hit/Geffen; distribution in the US)
• Tay Money
• Thug Drama (BTM Music Group Inc.)
• Tokyo’s Revenge (Blac Noize!/Cypress Park Music/Geffen Records/Interscope Records; distribution licensed to Foundation Media)
• TWS (Hybe – Pledis/Geffen; distribution in the US)WEB,www.starnewskorea.com/foreign/starViewEng.html?no=2024021614326966320, TWS, signs contracts with US Geffen Records and Japanese Virgin Music,
• V (Hybe – Big Hit/Geffen; distribution in the US)
• Yeat (Field Trip/Lyfëstyle Corporation/Geffen)
• Yhapojj (Simple Stupid/Geffen Records)
• YungbludWEB, Records, Geffen, Geffen Records,www.geffen.com/, Universal Music Group, (Locomotion/Geffen Records)
• Zack Bia (Field Trip/Geffen)

Former artists

• A Drop in the Gray
• Aerosmith (from Columbia Records)
• Aimee Mann
• Alex Salibian
• AlunaGeorge
• Angels & Airwaves
• Ashlee Simpson
• Asia
• Avant (from Magic Johnson Music/MCA Records)
• Bipolar Sunshine
• Blaque
• Blink-182 (from MCA Records)
• Box Car Racer
• Bobby Brown
• Cher
• Common (GOOD/Geffen, from MCA Records)
• Counting Crows
• Cowboy Junkies
• Dazz Band
• DJ Snake
• Don Henley
• Donna Summer
• Eagles
• Elton John
• Emile Haynie
• Enya
• Eve (from Ruff Ryders/Interscope)
• Field Mob (Disturbing tha Peace/Geffen, from MCA Records)
• Finch (from Drive-Thru Records)
• The Game (from Aftermath/G-Unit/Interscope)
• Garbage (from Almo Sounds)
• Girlicious
• Greyson Chance (eleveneleven/Maverick/Geffen)
• Gryffin
• Guns N’ Roses
• GZA
• Huddy
• Jacob Collier
• Jeff Bhasker
• Jennifer Holliday
• J.I the Prince of N.Y (GSTARR/Interscope/Geffen)
• John Kilzer
• John Lennon
• John Waite
• Ken Laszlo
• Keyshia Cole
• Klepto (from Larceny Entertainment)
• Kylie Minogue
• Lifehouse
• Lil Durk (from Alamo/OTF/Interscope)
• Lil Jon
• Marshmello
• Martin Terefe
• Mary J. Blige (from MCA Records)
• Mura Masa
• Nelly Furtado (from DreamWorks Records)
• New Found Glory
• Orianthi
• Peter Gabriel (US/Canada)
• Quarterflash
• The Plimsouls
• Puddle of Mudd
• Rise Against
• Rod Wave (from Alamo; distribution licensed to Foundation Media and previously with EMPIRE)
• The Roots (from DGC Records, later switched to MCA Records, then back to Geffen)
• Torexeon
• Sauce Money (Roc-A-Fella/Geffen, later switched to MCA Records)
• Shaggy (from MCA Records)
• Smokepurpp (from Alamo/Interscope)
• Snoop Dogg (Doggy Style/Star Trak/Geffen, from MCA Records)
• Solange (Music World/Geffen)
• Sonic Youth
• The Starting Line (from Drive-Thru Records)
• Tesla
• Tei Shi (Downtown Records/Geffen)
• Thug Drama (BTM Music Group Inc.)
• Tommy Keene
• The Like
• XTC (US)
• Yoko Ono
• Weezer
• Wang Chung

See also

• Geffen Records discography
• John Kalodner
• List of record labels

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

• {{Official websitewww.interscope.com/|Interscope Records official website}} - Geffen Records is included within the Interscope site and is part of Interscope-Geffen-A&M
• {{Twitter|GeffenRecords}}

{{Universal Music Group}}{{Authority control}}