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# UMG Tops Decomposing Major Label Heap In 2005
- URL: https://www.hypebot.com/umg_tops_decomp/
- Published: 2006-01-05T09:47:50.000Z
- Updated: 2006-01-05T09:47:50.000Z
- Description: In a year when music sales fell 7% or more, who is is on top of the rapidly decomposing major label heap? Universal grabbed a dominant market share in 2005. Continue reading [https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2006/01/umg_tops_decomp.html]
- Author: Bruce Houghton
- Tags: Major Labels, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-01-21 11:10

In a year when music sales fell 7% or more, who is is on top of the rapidly decomposing major label heap?

[![Universallogo_12](https://hypebot.typepad.com/hypebot/images/universallogo_12.gif "Universallogo_12")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/universallogo%5F12.gif?ref=hypebot.com)

Universal grabbed a dominant market share in 2005 according to Nielsen Soundscan. They finished the year with 31.7%, Sony BMG claimed 25.6%, Warner Music Group was at 15%, and EMI lagged far behind at 9.5%. Mariah Carey and 50 Cent, who finished with the number one and number two albums, lead the Universal charge. Warner Bros. Records claimed the top individual label spot with hit releases from Madonna, Green Day, and Faith Hill.