EMI Latin

EMI Latin was a United States-based Latin music record label and imprint that operated from 1989 until 2009. It was created within EMI's recorded-music structure to develop and market Spanish-language and Latin-oriented repertoire in the United States and Latin America. The label became particularly associated with Tejano, Mexican, pop, and later reggaeton recordings, and its roster included artists whose commercial reach extended across U.S. Latino audiences and Spanish-speaking markets. The label's early direction was shaped by José Behar, who had previously led CBS Discos. In 1989, Behar signed Selena to Capitol/EMI Latin after identifying her as a performer with the potential to become a major Latin-pop star. Selena's signing became one of the defining early moves associated with the label and helped establish its credibility in the expanding U.S. Latin music market. In 1990, Capitol/EMI Latin acquired San Antonio-based Cara Records, seeking to benefit from the popularity of Tejano music. Cara's associated artists included Mazz, David Lee Garza, and La Mafia. Around the middle of 1993, the imprint adopted the simpler EMI Latin name. During the following years, its activities broadened beyond Tejano and regional Mexican music. Artists connected with the label and its relationships with EMI Televisa Music and Televisa-linked distribution and media networks included Thalía, Pedro Fernández, RBD, María Daniela y su Sonido Lasser, and Kudai. EMI Latin also participated in the growth of reggaeton through signings such as DJ Flex and Tito El Bambino. In 2009, EMI Latin ended its partnership with Televisa, relocated its operations from Miami to Los Angeles, and was renamed Capitol Latin. The change ended EMI Latin as a standalone name but continued the label's Latin-music activities under the Capitol brand. Following Universal Music Group's acquisition of EMI in 2012, Capitol Latin was merged into Universal Music Latin Entertainment. The successor label became part of Universal Music Group's Latin recorded-music operations and continued to distribute releases through the group's wider infrastructure. EMI Latin is therefore best understood as a defunct historical imprint whose catalog, artist relationships, and successor operations became part of the Universal Music Latin organization.

EMI Latin originated in 1989 as Capitol/EMI Latin, an EMI-backed label designed to compete in the growing Latin music market in the United States and Spanish-speaking territories. Its formation reflected the increasing commercial importance of Latin repertoire and the opportunity for a major international music group to build a dedicated platform for Spanish-language artists. José Behar was an important figure during the label's formative period. Having previously headed CBS Discos, Behar brought experience in Latin recorded music and in 1989 signed Selena to Capitol/EMI Latin. He viewed her as a potential successor to the success achieved by Gloria Estefan. The signing became a central part of the label's early identity and connected EMI Latin with the Tejano scene at a time when the genre was gaining broader U.S. recognition. In 1990, Capitol/EMI Latin acquired Cara Records, a San Antonio, Texas-based label. The transaction was intended to capitalize on Tejano's popularity and brought the label closer to artists and repertoire rooted in South Texas and Mexican American communities. Cara-associated performers included Mazz, David Lee Garza, and La Mafia. This move complemented EMI Latin's broader objective of combining major-label resources with local knowledge of regional Latin genres. During the middle of 1993, the imprint was renamed EMI Latin. Under that name, it expanded its repertoire and artist relationships beyond Tejano. The label became connected with Latin pop, regional Mexican music, and projects supported by relationships involving EMI Televisa Music and Televisa's media networks. Artists linked to this wider activity included Thalía, Pedro Fernández, RBD, María Daniela y su Sonido Lasser, and Kudai. The label also entered the increasingly important reggaeton market through artists such as DJ Flex and Tito El Bambino. The EMI Latin name ended in 2009. That year the label ended its partnership with Televisa, transferred its base from Miami to Los Angeles, and adopted the Capitol Latin name. This was a corporate and branding transition rather than a disappearance of the underlying Latin-music operation. Capitol Latin continued to function as a Latin-focused label within the Capitol and EMI structure. Universal Music Group's acquisition of EMI in 2012 produced the next major ownership change. Capitol Latin was merged into Universal Music Latin Entertainment, a Universal Music Group division. The successor organization retained the Capitol Latin identity as a label brand and continued distributing Latin music through Universal's global recorded-music network. EMI Latin consequently became a historical label name associated with the period from 1989 to 2009, while portions of its catalog and business legacy continued through Capitol Latin and Universal Music Latin Entertainment.

• 2012

  Integration into Universal Music Latin Entertainment

  [1]Capitol Latinen.wikipedia.org

  Following Universal Music Group's acquisition of EMI, Capitol Latin was merged into Universal Music Latin Entertainment.

• 2009

  Transition to Capitol Latin

  [1]Capitol Latinen.wikipedia.org

  The label ended its Televisa partnership, moved from Miami to Los Angeles, and changed its name to Capitol Latin.

• 1993

  Rebranding as EMI Latin

  [1]Capitol Latinen.wikipedia.org

  The imprint began operating under the shorter EMI Latin name.

• 1990

  Cara Records acquisition

  [1]Capitol Latinen.wikipedia.org

  Capitol/EMI Latin acquired Cara Records of San Antonio to expand its participation in Tejano music.

• 1989

  Launch of Capitol/EMI Latin

  [1]Capitol Latinen.wikipedia.org

  EMI established the Latin-focused imprint, and José Behar signed Selena to the new label.

A major-label Latin music imprint focused on Spanish-language repertoire and U.S. Latino and Latin American audiences, with a catalog spanning Tejano, regional Mexican, Latin pop, and reggaeton.

• Recordings · 1989

  Latin music recordings

  EMI Latin's core products were recorded-music releases by Spanish-language and Latin-oriented artists. The label's repertoire covered several commercially important genres rather than a single narrowly defined style, including Tejano, regional Mexican music, Latin pop, and reggaeton. Releases were marketed through EMI's distribution infrastructure in the United States and Latin American markets.

• Genre catalog · 1990

  Tejano and regional Mexican catalog

  Through its early artist strategy and the 1990 Cara Records acquisition, the label developed a significant connection to Tejano and related regional Mexican repertoire. Artists associated with this area included Mazz, David Lee Garza, La Mafia, and Selena. This catalog helped position the imprint within the U.S. Latino market, particularly in Texas and communities with strong Mexican American audiences.

• Genre catalog

  Latin pop and crossover releases

  EMI Latin's later activities included Latin-pop projects and artists connected with EMI Televisa Music and Televisa-related media networks. The associated artist list included Thalía, Pedro Fernández, RBD, María Daniela y su Sonido Lasser, and Kudai, illustrating the label's expansion toward mainstream Spanish-language pop and youth-oriented repertoire.

• Genre catalog

  Reggaeton releases

  The label also participated in the growth of reggaeton by signing or releasing music from artists including DJ Flex and Tito El Bambino. These activities broadened EMI Latin's genre mix and aligned the imprint with the increasing commercial importance of urban Latin music.

• 2012

  Integrate Capitol Latin after EMI acquisitionM&A

  Background

  Universal Music Group acquired EMI, requiring the acquired label operations to be incorporated into Universal's existing Latin-music structure.

  Action taken

  Capitol Latin was merged with Universal Music Latin Entertainment.

  Aftermath

  The successor Capitol Latin brand continued within Universal Music Latin Entertainment and Universal Music Group's distribution network.

  Source

• 2009

  End Televisa partnership and rebrand as Capitol LatinStrategy

  Background

  EMI reorganized its Latin-music operations and ended its partnership with Televisa.

  Action taken

  The label moved from Miami to Los Angeles and changed its name from EMI Latin to Capitol Latin.

  Aftermath

  The EMI Latin name ceased to be used as the primary label identity, while the Latin-music operation continued under the Capitol Latin brand.

  Source

• 1990

  Acquire Cara RecordsM&A

  Background

  EMI Latin sought to benefit from the popularity of Tejano music and strengthen its regional presence in Texas.

  Action taken

  Capitol/EMI Latin acquired San Antonio-based Cara Records and incorporated its associated artist relationships into the wider label structure.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition expanded the imprint's connection to Tejano and regional Mexican repertoire, including artists such as Mazz, David Lee Garza, and La Mafia.

  Source

• 2012

  Universal Music Group acquires EMI and integrates Capitol Latin[1]Capitol Latinen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  After Universal Music Group acquired EMI, Capitol Latin was merged into Universal Music Latin Entertainment.

• 2009

  EMI Latin ends Televisa partnership and becomes Capitol Latin[1]Capitol Latinen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  EMI Latin ended its partnership with Televisa, moved its operations from Miami to Los Angeles, and was renamed Capitol Latin.

• 1993

  EMI Latin adopts its shorter name[1]Capitol Latinen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The Capitol/EMI Latin imprint was rebranded as EMI Latin during the middle of the year.

• 1990

  Capitol/EMI Latin acquires Cara Records[1]Capitol Latinen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  The label acquired San Antonio-based Cara Records to strengthen its position in Tejano music. Artists associated with Cara included Mazz, David Lee Garza, and La Mafia.

• 1989

  Capitol/EMI Latin signs Selena[1]Capitol Latinen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  José Behar signed Selena to Capitol/EMI Latin, identifying her as a performer with major crossover potential in the Latin music market.

1. 1Capitol Latinen.wikipedia.org