Interscope Records

US label

Label Code: LC 06406 / LC 6406

Interscope Records was established by film producer Ted Field (via Interscope Communications, Inc.) and record producer Jimmy Iovine in 1989 as a small alternative label. In 1990, Warner Music Group acquired a 50% interest in Interscope Records to market and distribute their music products through Atlantic Records, a division of Warner Music, which, at the time, was part of Time Warner.

In 1992, Marion "Suge" Knight's notorious "gangsta rap" label Death Row Records became part of the Interscope family. Death Row's inaugural release was Dr. Dre's The Chronic album in December of 1992. In September 1993, Interscope/Death Row's most significant release came with Snoop Dogg's debut album, Doggystyle, which sold 3 million copies within several months of its launch.

In 1995, Warner Music Group (then referred to as WEA International) sold back its stake in Interscope Records. In 1996, MCA, Inc. (later to become Universal Music Group, the world's largest record company) acquired Interscope Records and would see most of its future releases distributed through them.

By August 1997, Interscope had completely distanced itself from the once prominent Death Row Records, which temporarily became independent before signing a new distribution deal with Koch Records and eventually going bankrupt. In 1998, PolyGram and MCA merged to form Universal Music Group. In 1999, A&M Records and Geffen Records merged into Interscope, creating the Interscope Geffen A&M group. By 2004, Interscope had become one of UMG's leading labels, surpassing its sister label Def Jam Recordings.