Name

Interscope Records

Legal name

Interscope Records

Website

https://interscope.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Recorded Music

NAICS

Record Production and Distribution (51225)

SIC

Phonograph Records & Prerecorded Audio Tapes & Disks (3652), Retail-Record & Prerecorded Tape Stores (5735)

akta.pro primary industry

Record Labels (Major & Independent) (MPAIAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sync Marketplaces & Licensing Platforms (MPAIALAG)

Keywords

• Recorded music label
• Music publishing
• Artist development
• Music distribution
• Sync licensing

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Monica

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Recorded Music Sales: Revenue from physical and digital music sales across vinyl, CD, cassette, and download formats. The label operates its own e-commerce storefront selling releases by signed and catalog artists.
2. Streaming Royalties: Revenue from streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and other digital services for music consumption.
3. Artist Advances and Signing Deals: Upfront payments and signing bonuses to artists in exchange for exclusive recording contracts, recoupable against future royalties.
4. Merchandise and Licensed Products: Sales of artist-branded merchandise including apparel, accessories, and collectibles through the label's e-commerce platform and retail partnerships.
5. Soundtrack and Sync Licensing: Licensing of catalog and new releases for film, television, advertising, and video game soundtracks. Notable examples include The Devil Wears Prada 2 soundtrack and Top Gun: Maverick.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Interscope Records is a premier record label that signs, develops, records, markets, and distributes music from artists across multiple genres including hip-hop, pop, rock, Latin, and EDM. The label sells physical music media (vinyl, CDs, cassettes), branded merchandise, and audiophile-grade vinyl through its e-commerce platform, while licensing its catalog for film, TV, advertising, and gaming soundtracks via Universal Music Group's global distribution infrastructure.

Product overview

Interscope Records is a record label operating as a music publishing and distribution company. The company's primary product offering is an e-commerce platform selling physical music media (vinyl records, CDs, cassettes) and merchandise across multiple sub-brands and collections. The product portfolio includes core music retail (vinyl, CDs, cassettes, soundtracks), exclusive limited-edition releases, the Definitive Sound Series premium audiophile vinyl line, subscription-based Vinyl Collective program, and branded merchandise. Interscope also operates specialized collections including HOMECOMING SZN (HBCU initiative) and collaborative lines like Interscope x Malbon and 2Pac x LA Kings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vinyl Records Physical vinyl LP releases from Interscope Records' artist catalog, including standard releases, color variants, exclusive pressings, and limited editions. Sold direct-to-consumer through interscope.com with global shipping.
• CDs Compact disc releases from Interscope Records' artist catalog, including standard editions at $13.98 and deluxe editions and box sets at higher price points.
• Cassettes Cassette tape releases from Interscope Records' artist catalog priced at $17-$20, targeting collector and music enthusiast audiences.
• Soundtracks Film and television soundtrack releases including The Devil Wears Prada 2 (featuring Lady Gaga, SZA, Dua Lipa, Miley Cyrus), Moulin Rouge, Shrek 2, Pulp Fiction, Top Gun: Maverick, and others.
• Interscope Merchandise Branded merchandise including apparel (tops, sweatshirts, outerwear priced $25-$80), accessories, headwear ($25-$50), and posters featuring Interscope Records artists and label branding.
• Box Sets Comprehensive album collections and multi-disc sets from Interscope catalog artists, offering premium packaging and exclusive content for collectors.
• Test Pressings Special test pressing vinyl releases for audiophile collectors, providing early production versions of catalog recordings.
• Signed Music Artist-signed music releases and merchandise available exclusively through the Interscope Records online store.
• Definitive Sound Series (DSS) One-Step Vinyl Audiophile-grade vinyl releases manufactured using a specialized One-Step process that eliminates multiple production steps for superior sound quality. Limited numbered pressings with gatefold tip-on jackets and custom slipcases. Uses Neotech VR900-D2 180g High-Definition Vinyl, mastered by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering, pressed by Record Technology Inc. Priced up to $125.00.
• Vinyl Collective Subscription Monthly subscription service for vinyl enthusiasts offering exclusive releases, early access, and member-only products through the Interscope Vinyl Collective program, including archive and reserves store access.
• HOMECOMING SZN Collection Initiative by Interscope Geffen A&M Records supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through a product collection with $3 donation per item sold to partner universities and scholarship offerings.
• Interscope x Malbon Collection Collaborative product collection with Malbon celebrating the intersection of golf and music culture, featuring t-shirts, hoodies, polos, and headwear.
• 2Pac x LA Kings Collection Licensed merchandise collection featuring 2Pac and LA Kings collaborative products including vinyl, apparel, and accessories, combining music and sports branding.
• Record Label Services Comprehensive music label services for artists including A&R development, recording budgets, marketing campaigns, global distribution through UMG, sync licensing for film/TV/advertising, and touring partnerships. Recent signings include Lasso, Devon Again (via Daniel Nigro's Amusement Records imprint), and ongoing relationships with Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, and Lady Gaga.

Named customers16 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BigHit MusiccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 March 2026BTS album ARIRANG released via BigHit Music/Geffen/Interscope Capitol, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard 200 with 641,000 equivalent album units. Album powered BTS to No. 1 on Billboard Artist 100 for first time since June 2022.
• Universal Music GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterscope Records is a label under UMG, providing global distribution infrastructure, marketing resources, and corporate support across all major markets.
• Daniel Nigro's Amusement RecordsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterscope partnered with Daniel Nigro's Amusement Records imprint to sign alt-pop artist Devon Again for her major label debut.
• LVRN (Love Renaissance)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner6LACK album 'Love Is the New Gangsta' released via LVRN/Interscope Records. 6LACK is an Atlanta singer-rapper signed to the LVRN collective distributed through Interscope.
• Disney+/HuluminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMorat's cover of Los Bukis' 'Tu Cárcel' featured on soundtrack to Disney+/Hulu's series 'Dear Killer Nannies: Criado Por Sicarios', reached No. 1 on Billboard Latin Airplay chart.
• TikTokcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTikTok launched global karaoke experience featuring Olivia Rodrigo and Interscope Records, with in-app hub, listening party, themed challenges, and social media promotion.
• 20th Century PicturesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInterscope and 20th Century Pictures unveiled Devil Wears Prada 2 soundtrack featuring Lady Gaga, SZA, Dua Lipa, and Miley Cyrus via Instagram.
• WK EntertainmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenezuelan singer-songwriter Lasso signed with Interscope Records with WK Entertainment CEO Walter Kolm present at signing. Nir Seroussi (president of Interscope Capitol Miami) also involved.
• Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHOMECOMING SZN initiative: Interscope Geffen A&M partnering with Howard University, Tennessee State University, and Texas Southern University. $3 donation per item sold to universities, plus scholarship offerings.
• MalbonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInterscope partnered with Malbon to release special edition golf and music lifestyle collection including t-shirts, polos, sweatshirts, and headwear. Originally launched at WM Phoenix Open.
• KappaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInterscope x Kappa collaboration featuring bucket hats in green and black colorways, combining music and fashion branding.
• BTScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBTS ARIRANG album via BigHit Music/Geffen/Interscope Capitol distribution. Album debuted at No. 1 with 641,000 units and 13 songs charting on Billboard Hot 100.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• BMG: Independent-major hybrid with combined recorded music and publishing rights, competing directly with UMG labels (including Interscope) for artist signings. Operates at meaningful scale with a fundamentally different artist-friendly rights model that pressures traditional majors.

Direct peers

• Def Jam Recordings: Hip-hop-focused major label under UMG (sister to Interscope under the same parent). Heavily overlapping roster strategy in rap/R&B and shared distribution makes it Interscope's closest in-house peer for hip-hop signings.
• Capitol Records: Sister UMG label under the Interscope Geffen A&M umbrella — directly comparable in distribution, marketing resources, and major-label structure. Houses artists like Katy Perry, Paul McCartney, Sam Smith.
• Epic Records: Major label under Sony Music with comparable roster (Future, 21 Savage, Camila Cabello). Same scale and A&R-led, multi-genre roster strategy as Interscope.
• Columbia Records: Major label under Sony Music with comparable superstar roster (Beyoncé, Adele, Pharrell, Lil Nas X). Same global distribution model and similar positioning as one of the three majors' flagship labels.
• Republic Records: Sister UMG label and the most direct comparable — both operate under Interscope Geffen A&M/UMG umbrella, share distribution, and compete for the same pop/hip-hop superstar roster (Republic has Drake, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd; Interscope has Billie, Kendrick, Gaga). Closest peer by parent, structure, and roster profile.
• Atlantic Records: Major label under Warner Music Group with comparable pop, hip-hop, and R&B roster strategy (Ed Sheeran, Lizzo, Cardi B historically). Same scale, distribution model, and A&R-driven signing approach as Interscope.
• RCA Records: Major label under Sony Music with similar pop and hip-hop roster profile (Doja Cat, Usher, SZA historically). Operates at the same scale and follows the same A&R-led signing and global distribution playbook.
• Warner Records: Major label under Warner Music Group with comparable roster (Dua Lipa, Charlie Puth, Zach Bryan). Same major-label structure, distribution scale, and roster positioning in pop, hip-hop, and rock.
• Elektra Records: Major label under Warner Music Group focused on rock, indie, and pop (Twenty One Pilots, Tones and I). Comparable scale and major-label structure, overlapping with Interscope's genre-diverse strategy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/interscope
• Facebookfacebook.com/interscope

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Interscope Records