Virgin Music

Not to be confused with Virgin Records or Virgin Music Group. For the Japanese record label of the same name, see Universal Music Japan.

Virgin Music, known as Virgin Music Label & Artist Services until 2022 and originally as Caroline Distribution, was a music distributor of independent artists and record labels, most prominently Death Grips, Weezer, and Radiohead. Virgin Music operates as a subsidiary of Virgin Music Group, and is owned by Universal Music Group. The company focuses on the distribution of new or emerging partners.^[1] Virgin Music has its operation in United States, with its flagship operating in Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and across Latin America.^[2]

Virgin Music

Formerly	Caroline Distribution (1983–2021) Virgin Music Label & Artist Services (2021–2022)
Industry	Music publishing
Founded	1983
Defunct	October 19, 2023
Successor	Virgin Music Group
Headquarters	United States

History

In 1983, Caroline Distribution was established by Richard Branson & Virgin Records. In 2019, Universal Music Group acquired the digital music and network company INgrooves (including the independent label distributor Fontana Distribution).^[3]

According to Billboard reporter Ed Christman; “Between Caroline and Ingrooves, UMG’s indie owned distributors will have a combine market share of about 4.4 percent Billboard estimates, based on year-end numbers”.^[3] On 18 February 2021, Universal Music Group announced Virgin Music Label & Artist Services, a new global network to deliver premium and flexible artist and label services.^[4]

Following its launch, Universal Music Group retained Caroline Distribution president Jacqueline Saturn, to head Virgin Music label and artist services division of Virgin Music Group.^[5]

In September 2022, Universal Music Group announced the launch of Virgin Music Group.^[6] Following its launch, its Label & Artist Services began operating as Virgin Music. On 22 September 2022, Sumerian Records signed a distribution deal with Virgin Music.^[7]

In September 2023, Virgin Music Group established Virgin Music Nigeria.^[8][9]

In October 2023, Virgin Music Group combined with Virgin Music^[10]