The History Of Interscope Records

Interscope Records is an American record label based in Santa Monica, California. It was founded in late 1990 by Jimmy Iovine and Ted Field as a $20 million joint venture with Atlantic Records of Warner Music Group and Interscope Communications1. The label was initially launched as an independent operation but quickly gained traction after signing its first major artist, Gerardo Mejía, whose debut album “Mo’ Ritmo” went platinum2.

Interscope Records differed from most record labels by letting A&R staff control decisions and allowing artists and producers full creative control1. Its first hit records arrived in under a year, and it achieved profitability in 19931. In 1992, Interscope acquired the exclusive rights to market and distribute releases from hardcore hip hop label Death Row Records, a decision that ultimately put the label at the center of the mid-1990s gangsta rap controversy1.

As a result, Time Warner, then the parent of Warner Music Group, severed ties with Interscope by selling its 50 percent stake back to Field and Iovine for $115 million in 19951. In 1996, 50% of the label was acquired for a reported $200 million by MCA Inc., later known as Universal Music Group1.

Interscope’s artist roster includes Eminem, Lady Gaga, OneRepublic, Dermot Kennedy, Blackpink, Dr. Dre, DaBaby, Billie Eilish, Imagine Dragons, Olivia Rodrigo, Selena Gomez, Playboi Carti, Kendrick Lamar, Lana Del Rey, Maroon 5, Moneybagg Yo, Gwen Stefani, Rae Sremmurd, Machine Gun Kelly, U2, Yungblud, Cuco, and d4vd1.