Label: Machete Music   Location: Los Angeles   Artists: Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Malverde, Eliel, Abusivo, Angel y Khriz, Cultura Profetica, Hector el Father, Glory, Luny Tunes, Flor de Tabaco, Los Kambumbo, Gallego, Michael Stuart, Magnate & Valentino, Nicky Jam, Noztra, Tres Coronas, Sindicato Argentino, Rigo Luna, Buddha's Family   Web: www.machetemusic.com

 

In a move which underscores its commitment to expanding the marketplace for new genres of music, particularly in the Latin music area, Universal Music Group (UMG) announced the formation of Machete Music, the first full service, start-up label from a major record company dedicated to the burgeoning Latin urban music market with a specialty in hip hop, rap, dance hall and the hottest new movement, Reggaeton. UMG also announced that Gus Lopez will serve as President of Machete, where he will oversee the creative direction of the label, as well as managing its A&R, promotion, sales and marketing activities on a worldwide basis. He will work closely with Universal Music Latino and will report to Universal\'s Jesus Lopez, Chairman of Latin America & Iberian Peninsula (no relation). In launching Machete, Lopez, who currently serves as Vice President of Latin Sales & Marketing for Universal Music & Video Distribution (UMVD), the award-winning distribution arm of UMG, will resign his present duties to focus solely on developing the new label. Operating as a street-oriented, full service label, Machete will have its headquarters in Los Angeles, and will retain staff in Puerto Rico, Miami, New York City and Chicago. The evolution of Latino Hip Hop culture and the blending of Latin sounds that appeal to youth have been a main focus for us. Machete will be the home for this incredible movement. Lopez, who joined UMVD in 1995, was instrumental in building the company’s leadership position in Latin music through deals with such powerhouses as Univision, Fonovisa, Disa Records, VI and Lideres/OLE. Currently, UMVD leads the industry in Latin music with a market share of 52.91% (Soundscan).