Editing Geffen Records (section)

=== MCA, DGC and DreamWorks Records merger (2003) ===
Geffen continued to do steady business—even within [[2003 in music|2003]], UMG folded [[MCA Records]] into Geffen that July.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MCA, GEFFEN TO MERGE |url=https://hitsdailydouble.com/news&id=276833&title=MCA-GEFFEN-TO-MERGE |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=HITS Daily Double |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Leeds |first=Jeff |date=2003-06-10 |title=MCA Is Virtually Eliminated in Cutback |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jun-10-fi-mca10-story.html |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Though Geffen had been substantially a pop-rock label, its absorption of MCA (and its back catalogs) led to a more diverse roster; with former MCA artists such as [[Mary J. Blige]], [[The Roots]], [[Blink-182]], [[Rise Against]], and [[Common (rapper)|Common]] now being transferred to the label. Meanwhile, DreamWorks Records, in October, also folded, with its artists roster, consisting of [[Nelly Furtado]], [[Lifehouse (band)|Lifehouse]] and [[Rufus Wainwright]], being absorbed by Geffen as well.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CNN.com - Dreamworks near music deal - Oct. 31, 2003 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2003/BUSINESS/10/31/dreamworks.reut/ |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=www.cnn.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-11-11 |title=Universal Music to buy DreamWorks |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna3475307 |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> The absorption occurred following a reorganization at DreamWorks Pictures, which resulted in [[DreamWorks Animation]] being divested and DreamWorks Records being acquired by UMG.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leeds |first=Jeff |date=2003-10-31 |title=DreamWorks Agrees to Sell Label to Vivendi |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-oct-31-fi-dream31-story.html |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dreamworks selling music division - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/2003/10/31/Dreamworks-selling-music-division/6181067576400/ |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref> During this time, the remains of DGC Records were also folded into Geffen, although the label was previously absorbed in 1999 following its merger with Interscope. Retained artists, [[Beck]] and [[Sonic Youth]], were later redirected to record for Geffen afterwards; DGC was later reactivated in 2007, later operating under Interscope rather than Geffen.

With the mergers of MCA, DGC and DreamWorks into Geffen, more than 103 employees were laid off.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leeds |first=Jeff |date=2003-06-11 |title=Universal Music Continues Job Cuts |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jun-11-fi-rup11.10-story.html |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>