Interscope Records is an
American record label, owned by
Universal Music Group, and operates as one third of UMG's
Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.
History
Beginnings
Interscope was formed in 1990 by
Jimmy Iovine and
Ted Field with financial support from
Atlantic Records (which owned a 53% stock in the label). Upon its launch, it was initially distributed by Atlantic Records' subsidiary
East West Records America. A&R Executive John McClain and producer Beau Hill were also part of the original founding team.
The label's first release was
Latin-rapper
Gerardo, who scored a top 5,
gold hit with "Rico Suave" in the spring of 1991. More early success came later in the year when the label released the debut album from
Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, which went platinum in early 1992. During this time, Interscope also signed rapper
Tupac Shakur,
Primus,
No Doubt and
Nine Inch Nails.
