MCA Inc. (originally an initialism for Music Corporation of America) was an American media conglomerate founded in 1924 by Jules Stein, an ophthalmologist who transitioned into the entertainment industry. Initially established as a talent agency in Chicago, MCA focused on booking dance bands, singers, and musicians into speakeasies and nightclubs during Prohibition. By the mid-1930s, it represented over half of the major bands in the country, including those led by Xavier Cugat, Gene Krupa, Tommy Dorsey, and Kay Kyser, solidifying its dominance in music booking. The company expanded into music publishing, artist representation across film, television, and radio, and launched MCA Records as a prominent label that signed diverse artists ranging from classic acts to later bands like Dream Theater and Voivod under subsidiaries.

In the post-World War II era, MCA pivoted toward the film industry, becoming a powerful Hollywood talent agency through lucrative packaging deals. This influence led to its acquisition of Universal Studios in 1962, transforming MCA into a full-fledged media powerhouse involved in film production, distribution, and television programming, particularly for NBC. The company went public in 1959, reorganizing under the MCA Inc. name, and further diversified by creating the MCA Music Entertainment Group in 1989 to oversee its recording operations. At its peak, MCA owned Universal Pictures, Decca Records, and produced content for major networks, but faced antitrust scrutiny in the 1940s for monopolistic practices.

MCA's independent operations ended in 1995 when it was acquired by the Canadian beverage conglomerate Seagram for $5.7 billion, integrating it into what became Universal Studios Inc. The entity formally ceased as MCA Inc. on December 6, 1996, marking the end of its storied run as a pioneer in entertainment vertical integration. Throughout its history, MCA was instrumental in shaping the modern media landscape, though it was criticized for aggressive business tactics and labor disputes with performers' unions.