Universal set to launch Capitol Records in the UK

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Universal Music‘s boss has unveiled plans to launch Capitol Records in the United Kingdom.

“I see a great opportunity for us to really create an arc between Capitol Records in the United States and in the UK,” said Lucian Grainge – the head of the company.

“That will be done with new artists, and we may even add resources that we have internally into Capitol to give it a leg up and to get it started. Capitol Records, West Coast music, that’s an important brand. It’s also a big part of West Coast American culture, and is a focus of my strategy and my investment choices.”

Last month, it was confirmed that Universal would merge with EMI in a £1.2 billion buy-out.

Grainge added: “EMI has a different meaning depending on which continent you are speaking about. I‘m learning this and trying to better understand it as we go along. The United States is about Capitol, and the UK and Europe are about EMI and Virgin. It is my ambition that we take advantage of the strengths that these identities have globally and geographically to where it can make the most difference.”

The likes of Bella Union owner Simon Raymonde have spoken out against the merger, stating that it will only monopolise the digital market.