Rebranded for the digital age as Virgin Music
Label & Artist Services, the label is now part of the giant
Universal Music Group (UMG), which hopes its global reach and
economic clout can help the indie scene thrive.
Founded in 1972 by British entrepreneur Richard Branson, and
with its roots in punk, reggae and new wave sounds, Virgin
Records' past roster has included David Bowie, The Rolling
Stones, Culture Club and Massive Attack.
"I'm proud that half a century after we opened our first
independent record shop in London, the Virgin Music name
continues to represent the very best entrepreneurs, innovators,
and artists from the world of music today," Branson said in a
statement released by UMG.
The tycoon no longer has a stake in the label, which he sold to
Thorn EMI in 1992 and was later bought by UMG.
The rebooted label's British line-up of artists will include
Mixtape Madness, D-Block Europe, The Amazons and Billie Marten.
(Writing by Alex Richardson; Editing by Mike Collett-White)
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