Universal Motown Records was a record label that operated as a division of Universal Motown Republic Group. It was the contemporary incarnation of the legendary Motown Records label, and the "urban" half of UMRG, although there was some rock artists on the label (along with its sub-labels) as well.

Background

In 2005 Motown Records was merged with the urban artists on Universal Records to create Universal Motown Records, headed by former CEO of Elektra Records Sylvia Rhone, and placed under the newly created umbrella division of Universal Motown Republic Group. Motown Records began celebrating its fiftieth anniversary (January 12, 2009) in late 2008, including the release of a ''The Complete No. 1's'' boxset containing Motown #1 hits from ''Billboard's'' pop, R&B;, and disco charts, reissues of classic-era Motown albums on CD, and other planned events, which were released in collaboration with Universal Music Group's catalog division.

Changes were made at Universal Motown Republic Group in 2011, and Motown Records was separated from Universal Motown Records and the umbrella label and merged into the The Island Def Jam Music Group (now named The Island Def Jam Motown Music Group), making Universal Republic Records a stand alone label and shutting down Universal Motown Republic Group.

References

External links

Official site

Category:Record labels established in 2005 Category:Record labels disestablished in 2011 Category:American record labels Category:Vivendi subsidiaries Category:Labels distributed by Universal Music Group

it:Universal Motown Records pt:Universal Motown

Sylvia Rhone is an American music industry executive who served as president of Universal Motown Records until 2011.

She has overseen a roster of artists in the Universal Motown lineup including Lil Wayne and the Cash Money artists Nicki Minaj, Drake, Kid Cudi, Nelly, Melanie Fiona, Akon, Erykah Badu, and Stevie Wonder.

In October 2004, Rhone was appointed president of Motown Records and executive vice president of Universal Records. Prior to her Universal Motown role, Rhone served as chairman and CEO of the Elektra Entertainment Group, transforming the boutique label into one of the most eclectic rosters in the music business. Rhone's appointment in 1994 as chairman and CEO of EEG established her as the only African American and the first woman in the history of the recording industry to attain such a title.

Early life, education, and early career

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 11, 1952, and raised in Harlem, Rhone has cited her early exposure to seminal R&B; shows at the Apollo Theatre as pivotal to her belief in music as an inspirational force. Accepted at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Rhone graduated with a B.S. in Economics. She got a job at Bankers Trust in New York City soon after graduating college, but she pursued her passion for music by landing a job as a secretary for Buddha Records in 1974. In a succession of promotions over the next six years, she also held positions at ABC Records and Ariola Records. Rhone was previously part of the Elektra family in 1980 as northeast regional promotion manager for special markets, and she was eventually promoted to director of national black music marketing for Atlantic Records.

Atlantic Records

Credited with helping to realign Atlantic's black music business, Rhone took on broader responsibilities in A&R; and marketing in 1986 with her promotion to senior vice president and general manager of Atlantic Records. At Atlantic, Rhone managed such artists as En Vogue, The System, Levert, Brandy, Yo Yo, The D.O.C., MC Lyte, Chuckii Booker, Miki Howard and Gerald Albright. It was under her watch that Billboard Magazine named Atlantic the #1 Black Music Division in 1988.

Rhone's career has been highlighted by multiple firsts: In 1990 she became the first African American woman to head a major record company when she was named CEO and president of Atlantic's EastWest Records America division. A year later when the EastWest artist roster and operations were combined with those of Atco Records, Rhone was named chairman and CEO of Atco/EastWest and subsequently of EastWest Records America. At EastWest, she was directly involved in introducing several newcomers as well as helping established stars gain new success, including En Vogue, Gerald Levert, Pantera and Das EFX. She also played a role in furthering the careers of AC/DC and Simply Red, who eventually became EEG artists. Atlantic Records' founder Ahmet Ertegun commented on Rhone's success during the period, calling her administration one of "innovation, imagination, and freshness". In 1993, she was cited by Ebony Magazine as one of the top up-and-coming black executives in the entertainment industry.

Elektra Entertainment Group

In July 1994, Rhone was hired by Warner Music Group chairman Doug Morris to become chairman and CEO of the Elektra Entertainment Group. The Los Angeles Times called Rhone "the most powerful woman in the music business", citing her as the only African American and the first woman in the history of the recording industry to attain the dual title.

Rhone guided the merger of Elektra, EastWest (of which she was formerly CEO) and Sire Records into one of the Warner Music Group's most diverse and competitive labels. Rhone was directly involved in the launch and guidance of multiple best selling artists, including Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, Tracy Chapman, Yolanda Adams, Metallica, Natalie Merchant, Gerald Levert, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Fabolous, Jason Mraz, and Third Eye Blind, among others.

Long recognized as a developer of musical talent, she was also instrumental in transforming the staff at Elektra, with Time Warner chairman and CEO Dick Parsons noting: "The Elektra Entertainment Group was one of the most actualized examples of diversity in action at a company that I've ever seen". In 1998, Fortune Magazine included her on their inaugural list of the Fifty Most Powerful Women, with Rhone joining corporate executives such as Carly Fiorina and Geraldine Laybourne, among others. In 2001, Ebony Magazine recognized her as one of the Ten Most Powerful Black Women In America, alongside Oprah Winfrey and Condoleezza Rice.

Motown and Universal Motown Records

In 2004, Rhone was appointed president of Motown Records, executive vice president of Universal Records, with chairman of Universal Music Group, Doug Morris, calling her "a rainmaker", and Universal Motown Record Group chairman Mel Lewinter citing Rhone as a "natural to lead Motown's evolution into the future". Under Rhone's stewardship, Motown reinvigorated both roster and staff, re-tooling the label into one of the more savvy digital music business platforms. Rhone added Akon, India.Arie, Erykah Badu, Lil Wayne, Chamillionaire, Stevie Wonder and others to the label.

In February 2006, the Universal Music label split into two labels, Universal Republic Records and Universal Motown Records, with Rhone serving as president of the latter. Rhone's approach helped to raise the global identity of Cash Money Records, while also placing an increased emphasis on Universal Motown artists' connecting with fans via micro-blogging and social network platforms.

Profiled and quoted in many magazines and entertainment media outlets through the years, Rhone has become a repeated choice on business and entertainment power lists. She has been named to the ''Entertainment Weekly'' Most Influential People list six times and to the ''Hollywood Reporter'' Women In Entertainment Power list seven times. Rhone has been praised by ''Crain's New York Business'' magazine for "breaking ground for years" and recognized by NBC, MTV, BET, ''Rolling Stone'', VH1, ''Billboard'', ''Vibe'', and ''Ebony''. ''Black Enterprise Magazine'' included her in their 2011 "Most Powerful Women In Business" issue.

Rhone stepped down from being president of the company in 2011.

Future

It was confirmed in February 2012 that Sylvia Rhone will be launching her own record label through Epic Records.

Honors and awards

Rhone has been honored with more than three dozen awards during her career, both from the music industry and the greater community. She was awarded the 2010 Lexus Pursuit Of Perfection Award as a trailblazer for African American women everywhere. In 2008, she was honored by the Black Women In Entertainment Law Foundation for her work as a pioneer in African American Music. In 2007, she was awarded the Black Girls Rock Corporate Award. In 2004, Rhone was awarded the Turner Broadcasting Trumpet Award which recognizes the accomplishments of distinguished African Americans from around the world. In 2001, ''Ms. Magazine'' named Rhone Woman Of The Year, along with Jane Fonda, Yoko Ono, and Venus and Serena Williams, among others. Rhone was one of only four women recognized in ''Jet Magazine'''s 50 Years Of Progress issue which chronicled the business achievements of prominent African Americans in the previous half-century.

Other honors include an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Adelphi; the Herbert H. Wright Award from the National Association of Market Developers; Sony's Soul of American Music Excellence Award; The Urban Network's Executive Of The Year Award; The Boy Scouts of America's Whitney M. Young Service Award; the New Music Seminar's Joel Webber Prize for Excellence in Music and Business Award; and the Legacy Life Member Award from the National Council of Negro Women. Rhone is a member of the Board of Directors of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

References

Category:African-American businesspeople Category:African American businesswomen Category:American music industry executives Category:Living people

Name	Pac Div
Background	group_or_band
Alias	Pacific Division
Origin	Palmdale, California
Occupation	rappers
Genre	Hip hop, Underground hip hop
Years active	2006–present
Label	Universal Motown Records (2008-2011)
Website	http://itspacdiv.com/
current members	LikeMibbsBeYoung }}

Pacific Division, better known as Pac Div, is a rap trio that originated in Southern California and is signed to Universal Motown Records. It is composed of two brothers, Like and Mibbs, and a long time friend and acquaintance, BeYoung. They started to rap together in High School. Originally Pac Div was a group of eleven boys in high school, but knowing that they could not keep it that way, in 2005 they shrunk the group down to three, Mibbs, Like, and Be Young. When Microwave Music influenced most young rappers, they were influenced by old school hip-hop, and it shows through their videos and unique style.

Career

Pac Div's first mixtape, released in 2006, was a thematic mixtape named ''Sealed for Freshness: The Blend Tape''. It talked about their lives as average hip youth which related to their target market. Being relatable appealed to a mass market of Hipsters, which began their success and placed them in famed magazines, such as: Billboard, Rolling Stone, and Source. It also gained approval of hip-hop hotshots: Ludacris, ?uestlove, Pharrell Williams, Talib Kweli, and 9th Wonder. Their success helped them go international, opening for big names like Nas, Q-Tip, Busta Rhymes, Ice-T, and Ludacris. Their manager at the time Terry Smith, Danny Carter and music executive Earl Johnson (The Brolly Group) seeing great potential in the group, they made some calls to some key industry executives. Sylvia Rhone was first to jump on board to make Pacific Division and The Brolly Group, dreams come true.

All the success and fame achieved from their first mixtape, which was released by The Brolly Group along with their first music video F.A.T Boys. The group released two more mixapes, ''Church League Champions'' and ''Don't Mention It''. ''Church League Champions'' consisted of three singles: "Mayor", "Whiplash" and "Young Black Male". "Don't Forget the Swishers," on their mixtape "Don't Mention It," featured Cleveland-based rapper Chip tha Ripper.In 2008, after offers from many major labels the group decided to sign with Universal Motown Records and they are currently getting ready for their first debut album release, Grown Kid Syndrome in 2011. Pac Div wants to craft their album to mainly focus on making sure that their live show is going to be live and exciting. After burning relation with their first management and their personal relationship with Terry Smith, Danny Carter and music executive Earl Johnson (The Brolly Group) for never paying them for securing them their Universal Records label deal, along with paid shows, tours, and commercial opportunities that was brought by The Brolly Group, before moving over to Ch'rewd Management. They are managed by Christopher Watkins for Ch’rewd Management and their booking agent, Cara Lewis of The William Morris Agency. In 2011 they released their fourth mixtape Mania!. They also performed the single “Anti-freeze” from their mixtape Mania! in Tammany Hall in Massachusetts. In 2011, in an interview with billboard Pac Div talked about their move to Grand Hustle Records and how it has affected them. Mibbs said that “It's been totally positive. It's just a different type of grind with this new management. [The energy] fits more of what we're trying to do. We're really trying to hustle. That's what Grand Hustle is about. [Laughs].” When asked about Lil B’s new album entitled “I’m Gay” the group responded saying that “He can name it whatever he wants. I think he's talented guy. It sounds like he's trying to push himself to perfection. His work is more developed, that's because he cares. I'm hoping for the best.” They also commented on how their upcoming album Grown Kid Syndrome has changed since it started saying that “Some of the records [we last talked about] are still on there. If anything, we hooked up with No I.D. and made a dope ass track called "Greatness." We hooked up with Jim Jonsin, he had some records [for us]. I produced a couple of joints that we previously didn't have. I've been working hard at that. We've been bottling up the same aesthetic as our last albums but with a bit of evolution where you can still can hear us.”

Discography

EPs

''Pac Div EP'' (2009)

Mixtapes

''Sealed for Freshness: The Blend Tape'' (2006)

''Church League Champions'' (2009)

''Don't Mention It'' (2010)

''Mania!'' (2011)

Albums

''The DiV'' (2011)

External links

References

Category:Musical groups established in 2002 Category:Musical groups from California Category:African American musical groups Category:Underground rappers Category:West Coast hip hop groups

Name	Vita Chambers
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Vita Chambers
Born	June 10, 1993 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Origin	Barbados
Genre	Pop rock
Occupation	Singer, Songwriter, Student
Years active	2009 - present
Label	SRP (2009-present)Universal Motown
Website	Official website }}

Vita Chambers (born June 10, 1993) is a Canadian-Barbadian singer signed to SRP Records and Universal Republic Records. She began her career by posting a video and four of her original songs on her MySpace page. Her music is inspired by her exposure to all genres of music while growing up in Barbados . Shortly after, she was signed to SRP/Universal Motown in June 2009. Fellow Bajan singers Rihanna and Shontelle also got their beginning with SRP records. She was born in Vancouver, Canada, but grew up in Barbados from when she was an infant.

She was the opening act, singing "Heat Wave", at the November 2009 Thanksgiving Day NFL half-time show featuring a Motown Review by the future of Motown. Vita's first single titled "Young Money" was released in early March 2010. Her EP "The Get Go" was released in March with five songs, including a cover of Automatic Loveletter's "Shut Your Mouth". Her second single is titled "Like Boom." . Chambers toured with Justin Bieber, during part of 2010 as one of his several opening acts on his My World tour in 2010,as well as performing at Lilith Fair and Bamboozle shows.

Vita was later signed to Universa Republic in late 2011 after the re-organization of Universal Motown while still being signed to her production company SRP owned by Evan Rogers and Carl Sturken.She is now writing,co-producng and upcoming album with her new managent Indie-Pop who she loves as her music has evolved into a genre of her passion-Electropop mixed with her "Vitanessness"

References

External links

Vita official website

Vita official fansite

Vita Chambers MySpace page with tour dates

Vita Chambers on JSYK

Category:Living people Category:1993 births

Category:Barbadian singers Category:Barbadian pop singers Category:Canadian female singers Category:Canadian people of Barbadian descent Category:People from Vancouver