By Roy Trakin

What started out as Doug Morris' first post-WMG label has turned into an impressive monolith.

Once known as Rising Tide, the Universal/ Motown Records Group, which now includes Universal Records, Motown Records and such hot imprints as Cash Money (home of Juvenile and Big Tymers, among others), Republic Records, Mojo Records and Biv 10, couldn't be heating up at a better time. In fact, the label's current market share of nearly 4.6 is more than that of Atlantic, Warner Bros., Elektra or RCA.

Universal/MotownRecords Group Chairman Mel Lewinter, in the midst of his poolside idyll in the Hamptons, had us bring him a towel before commenting: "Despite the fact that Universal is just five years old, we've already achieved a level of success that is comparable to what much older companies would be experiencing. Monte [Lipman], Kedar [Massenburg] and their teams continue to break new artists and break new ground for already established artists with a drive and passion that is unmatched. I'm proud to be associated with Doug's vision, which has helped us achieve this success. Now, would you mind turning up the temperature on the Jacuzzi a bit?"

Currently, the label has a pair of albums in the Top 10—St. Lunatics rapper Nelly, whose debut album, "Country Grammar," has become Universal's first chart-topper, and Republic/Universal Mississippi rockers 3 Doors Down, now ensconced in the Top 10 with its double-Platinum album, "Better Life," and hit single, "Kryptonite."

Said Universal Records President monte lipman ',390,400);">monte lipman ',390,400);">Monte Lipman , whose comments were immediately translated into French: "We're lucky to have great artists and great music and know what to do with them, under GM Jean Riggins' direction. We're trying to create an environment where people discover music on their own, because that's more exciting than having us sell it to you. Our job is to successfully identify those records that show the traditional indicators of success and deliver them."

And the label is ready to do just that for some highly touted fourth-quarter releases, which also include an Elton John live greatest hits album and the soundtrack to MTV's "The Kings of Comedy" movie, whose first single is a Nelly/St. Lunatics track.

Universal's 98 Degrees return Sept. 26 with its fourth album, "Revelation," the follow-up to the five-times-Platinum "98 and Rising." The first single, "Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)," went to radio earlier this month, with a Wayne Isham-directed video filmed at the Mayan ruins in Mexico. Retail estimates have the album selling 750k-to-one million its first week out.
Boyz II Men's "Nathan Michael Shawn Wanya" hits retail Sept. 12, with the first single, "Pass You By," already off to a great start at R&B and Urban Adult radio. A video loosely based on the movie "City of Angels" is currently airing on BET.
South Park Mexican's debut, "The Purity Album," on the Houston-based rappers' own Dope House imprint, is being rush-released by Universal this week, with predictions in the 100k range on the strength of the single, "You Know My Name."
Godsmack's "Awake" follows the release of the occult rockers' self-titled debut, which has now sold more than 2.4 million OTC. Fittingly, the new album is scheduled for a Halloween release.
Erykah Badu's "Mama's Gun" (also 10/31), her first studio album since '97's "Baduizm," has Motown Records CEO/President Kedar Massenburg, who originally signed the singer/songwriter, particularly excited.

"She had more creative control on this record. It's a little different than her last one, but it still reaches the core and essence of who she is. We feel really good about it."

Other Motown releases include Rasheeda (10/10), Profyle (10/17), Sparkle (10/24) and a pair of soundtrack albums—"Bamboozled" (9/26), with Erykah, Prince, Stevie Wonder and Angie Stone, and "Men of Honor" (10/24), with Brian McKnight.

Added Lewinter: "The commitment we share to our artists in breaking their records is stronger than ever. And give my regards to that delightful Timothy White while you're at it."