Republic Records

Republic Records
Logo in use since November 2012[1]
Parent companyUniversal Music Group (UMG)
Founded1995; 29 years ago (1995)
FounderMonte Lipman
Avery Lipman
Distributor(s)
GenreVarious
Country of originUnited States
LocationNew York City, New York, U.S.
Official websiterepublicrecords.com

Republic Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group (UMG). Based in New York City, it was founded by Avery Lipman and Monte Lipman as an independent label in 1995, and was acquired by UMG in 2000. Republic was initially an imprint of the Universal Motown Republic Group, and was renamed Universal Republic Records after a reorganization in 2006 before going back to its original name in 2012.[2][3][4]

History

[edit]

Foundation and Universal Records: 1994–2005

[edit]

According to Avery Lipman, he and his brother Monte conceived the idea for Republic Records at their apartment in New York. Lipman stated that both had previously been employed by record companies and were in between jobs at the time. They began putting records out as a hobby, the first of which was the Bloodhound Gang's Dingleberry Haze.[5] Republic Records was formed in 1995 as a subsidiary of MCA's Geffen Records, but soon after its foundation, the distribution changed to the newly established Universal Records.[6]

In January 2000, it was announced that the Universal Music Group acquired the Lipman brothers' Republic Records as a wholly owned subsidiary. Monte Lipman was named president of the Universal Records label,[7] while Avery Lipman became Republic's president.[8]

Universal Republic Records: 2006–2012

[edit]

In 2006, corporate restructuring saw the formation of Universal Republic Records through a merger between the two labels.[9] Monte Lipman became the president and CEO of the restructured label while Avery Lipman served as co-president and COO.[10] Other changes were made at the label's parent, Universal Motown Republic Group, during the summer of 2011. Universal Motown Records was shut down, transferring its artists to the newly recreated Motown Records or Universal Republic Records. Universal Republic Records became a stand-alone label and the Universal Motown Republic Group was shut down.[11] In August 2011, the restructured Universal Republic signed Ariana Grande to a record contract.[12]

Republic Records revival: 2012–present

[edit]

In October 2012, Universal Republic Records returned to the Republic Records moniker.[13] Just prior to the label's return to the Republic name, it signed Canadian artist The Weeknd through his imprint label, XO.[14] In addition to artists' albums, the label has released soundtracks with the Fox Broadcasting Company (Star),[15] NBC (The Voice), and former UMG parent Universal Pictures (Fifty Shades and Sing),[16] among numerous other partnerships, films, and television series.[17] Republic Records had songs in six of the top-10 spots on the Mediabase Top 40 Chart in 2015, tying a 2013 record.[18] Also in 2015, the label signed American rapper and singer, Post Malone.[19]

In November 2017, the company was named Variety's Hitmaker Label of the Year.[20] In 2018, Taylor Swift signed to Republic Records after releasing her music through the Republic imprint, Big Machine Records, for a majority of her career.[21] In December of that year, Republic partnered with Sony Pictures on the release of the soundtrack for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.[22] The soundtrack's lead single was Post Malone and Swae Lee's "Sunflower" which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and broke the record for most weeks in the top ten of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at 45.[23] Early 2019 saw the signing of a reunited Jonas Brothers, as well.[24]

Also in 2019, Republic Records was named the "Label of the Year" by both Billboard[25] and Variety.[26] It has been Billboard's label of the year for 4 of the last 5 years[25] and Variety's for each of the last three.[26] Republic was also named Billboard's Hot 100 Label of the Year for the sixth straight time.[27] Five Republic albums (Ariana Grande's Thank U, Next, Taylor Swift's Lover, Post Malone's Beerbongs & Bentleys, Drake's Scorpion and Post Malone's Hollywood's Bleeding) also appeared in the top 10 of the year-end Billboard 200 chart.[25]

In 2020, Republic Records partnered up with JYP Entertainment for the South Korean girl group Twice as the group's first American label and distributor. Twice will be the first artist from JYP Entertainment to be powered under the alliance. Twice's signing represents a diversifying market for K-pop in the US.[28] On April 8, 2020, it was stated that the record has partnered up with the South Korean girl group (G)I-dle after the release of their third EP I Trust, marking the group's official debut in the US.[29] At the 2020 iHeartRadio Music Awards, Republic Records won "Label of the Year".[30]

At the 2021 iHeartRadio Music Awards, Republic Records won "Label of the Year".[31] For 2021, for the first time, Republic Records was ranked number one on Billboard's three year-end label rankings: "Top Labels", "200 Labels", and "Hot 100 Labels".[32] Billboard then featured the Lipman brothers in a December 2021 cover story on Republic Records.[33]

Republic Records became the first label to partner with DistroKid, allowing it to mine data from the company looking for new artists. The initiative began in 2021 and allowed DistroKid to receive a finder's fee for any new artist signed to the label.[34] In January 2021, the label had five of the top seven albums on the Billboard 200 chart, including the top three spots with Morgan Wallen's Dangerous: The Double Album, Taylor Swift's Evermore, and Pop Smoke's Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon. The Weeknd's After Hours and Ariana Grande's Positions were sixth and seventh respectively.[35] That month, Republic also had six of the top ten albums on the Rolling Stone album chart and nine of the top 20 songs on the Rolling Stone song chart.[36] In March 2021, Taylor Swift became the first Republic artist to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year for her album, Folklore.[37] On November 24, 2021, Jim Roppo and Wendy Goldstein were named co-presidents of Republic Records.[38]

Since August 2021, Universal Music Group began to launch and expand the Republic Records imprint in international markets. The label made its first International debut in China via its local subsidiary UMG China on August 16, 2021.[39] The label launched in Philippines via its local subsidiary UMG Philippines in July 22, 2022, with domestic artists Darren Espanto, Elha Nympha and Zack Tabudlo among other artists who were signed to the label.[40]

In 2022, Republic Records expanded its current partnership with JYP Entertainment to include Itzy and Stray Kids.[41] Republic Records partnered up with NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan to include fripSide and Nagi Yanagi. This was later expanded to cover all of their artists, alongside worldwide distribution of artists and catalogs, A&R, marketing and business development.[42]

At the 2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards, Republic Records won "Label of the Year".[43] For the second year in a row, Billboard listed Republic Records as number one on its three 2022 year-end label rankings, including "Top Labels".[44][45]

In 2023, Republic Records had the longest streak for a label atop the Billboard 200 in 25 years, including Morgan Wallen's One Thing at a Time, Taylor Swift's Midnights, Nagi Yanagi's Yukiharuame, and Stray Kids' 5-STAR.[46] On December 6, 2023, Republic had the top six albums on the Billboard 200. It was the first time in 60 years the same label had released the top five albums on the chart.[47]

In February 2024, Republic was reorganized under the newly structured umbrella of Republic Corps, a music label unit formed by parent Universal Music Group. As part of reorganizing UMG's coastal operations, Republic was aligned with Island Records and Def Jam Recordings under the "East Coast" banner; Monte Lipman, the label's co-founder, oversees the New York City operations.[48][49]

Releases

[edit]
Old black-and-white Republic Records logo
The Republic Records logo from 1996 to 2006

Republic Records released the Bloodhound Gang's 1994 EP, Dingleberry Haze,[50] and their first LP, Use Your Fingers. Kevin Rudolf's single, "Let It Rock", was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.[51] Jay Sean's debut single, "Down", sold six million copies in the United States[52] and received a large airplay on radio worldwide.[53][54] Sean's follow-up single, "Do You Remember", sold over one million copies.[55]

Taylor Swift was first signed to Nashville-based Big Machine Records, recording her first six studio albums with the label. As her contract with Big Machine ended in 2018, she signed with Republic, with her first single "ME!" with the label released on April 26, 2019.[56][57] Jack Johnson has received a number of gold and platinum certifications.[58] Damian Marley's debut album was certified gold and sold one million copies worldwide.[59]

Other prominent Republic releases in recent years have come from acts like Ariana Grande (2013's Yours Truly, 2014's My Everything, 2016's Dangerous Woman, 2018's Sweetener, 2019's Thank U, Next, 2020's Positions, and 2024's Eternal Sunshine);[60] the Jonas Brothers (2019's Happiness Begins and 2023's The Album); Taylor Swift (2019's Lover, 2020's Folklore and Evermore, 2021's Fearless (Taylor's Version) and Red (Taylor's Version), 2022's Midnights, 2023's Speak Now (Taylor's Version) and 1989 (Taylor's Version), and 2024's The Tortured Poets Department); The Weeknd (2013's Kiss Land, 2015's Beauty Behind the Madness, 2016's Starboy, 2020s After Hours, and 2022's Dawn FM);[61] Florence and the Machine (2015's How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful, 2018's High as Hope, and 2022's Dance Fever);[62][63] Lorde (2013's Pure Heroine, 2017's Melodrama, and 2021's Solar Power);[64][65] James Blake (2019's Assume Form and 2021's Friends That Break Your Heart);[66] Pearl Jam (2020's Gigaton); Poppy (2022's Stagger) and Kim Petras (2019's Clarity and Turn Off the Light, and 2023's Feed the Beast).[67]

Artists

[edit]
Main article: List of Republic Records artists

As of 2024, the current Republic Records roster includes AJR, Anitta, Any Gabrielly, Ariana Grande, Bastille, Benee, Bo Burnham, Clairo, Coi Leray, Conan Gray, Drake, Em Beihold, FLO, Ski Mask The Slump God, Florence and the Machine, fripSide, Glass Animals, Itzy, James Bay, James Blake, John Mellencamp, Julia Michaels, Kid Cudi, Kim Petras, Leith Ross, Lil Tecca, Lil Wayne, Metro Boomin, Miranda Lambert, Morgan Wallen, Nagi Yanagi, Nicki Minaj, Nmixx, Noah Kahan, Of Monsters and Men, Peach PRC, Pearl Jam, Peter Gabriel, Post Malone, Seth MacFarlane, Shania Twain, Stephen Sanchez, Stevie Wonder, Stray Kids, Swedish House Mafia, Taylor Swift, the Weeknd, Tomorrow X Together, Twice, SosMula, Vcha, Wargasm and Zayn Malik.[68]

Associated labels and imprints

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Brand New: Republic Records". Underconsideration.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  2. ^ "Universal Signs New Agreement With Republic's Monte and Avery Lipman". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 2, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  3. ^ Taylor, Chuck (January 15, 2000). "Lipman to head up Universal Records". Billboard. p. 12. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  4. ^ Mitchell, Gayle (February 10, 2007). "Stop in the Name of Shiny Toy Guns". Billboard. p. 72. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  5. ^ "Interview with Avery Lipman". HitQuarters. August 7, 2006. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
  6. ^ Rosen, Craig (January 17, 1998). "Lipmans' Republic Label Signs With Universal For Distribution". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  7. ^ Taylor, Chuck (January 15, 2000). "Lipman To Head Up Universal Records". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  8. ^ Oppelaar, Justin (January 7, 2011). "UMG labels Lipman as Republic prexy". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 31, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  9. ^ "Universal Music Label to Be Split Into Two". Los Angeles Times. February 24, 2006. Archived from the original on August 15, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  10. ^ Walsh, Chris M. (January 8, 2008). "Uni Republic taps Lipman co-president". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 21, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  11. ^ "Universal Motown Lays Off Most Of Staff; Consolidates Roster Into Universal Republic". All Access Music. June 17, 2011. Archived from the original on May 15, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  12. ^ "ARIANA GRANDE SIGNS A RECORD DEAL!". Tiger Beat. August 12, 2011. Archived from the original on May 13, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  13. ^ "Republic Records" Archived April 30, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, Pentagram (design firm), New York, October 25, 2012. Retrieved on April 29, 2018.
  14. ^ "THE WEEKND ANNOUNCES DEAL WITH UNIVERSAL REPUBLIC, PREPS 'TRILOGY' ALBUM". Rap Up. September 11, 2012. Archived from the original on June 5, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  15. ^ "REPUBLIC RECORDS AND FOX TV PRESENT NEW SHOW STAR". Music Connection. November 11, 2016. Archived from the original on May 14, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  16. ^ Halperin, Shirley (June 17, 2017). "'Fifty Shades' Franchise Veteran Dana Sano to Head Film and Television at Republic Records (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on April 28, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  17. ^ Gallo, Phil (October 25, 2013). "How Republic Records Reignited the Soundtrack Market & Became Hollywood's Go-To Label". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  18. ^ "Republic Records Promotion Dominates Top 40 Scoring 6 Spots In Top 10". All Access. Archived from the original on July 19, 2015. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  19. ^ FD, Aicha (August 14, 2015). "POST MALONE SIGNS TO REPUBLIC RECORDS". XXL. Archived from the original on May 14, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  20. ^ Halperin, Shirley (November 21, 2017). "Hitmakers: From 'Despacito' to Post Malone, Republic Records Had (Another) Very Good Year". Variety.com. Archived from the original on December 31, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  21. ^ Lake, Schatz (November 19, 2018). "Taylor Swift signs to Republic Records". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on May 15, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  22. ^ Strauss, Matthew (December 10, 2018). "Vince Staples, Nicki, Lil Wayne, More on New Spider-Man Soundtrack". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  23. ^ Anderson, Trevor (September 11, 2019). "Post Malone & Swae Lee's 'Sunflower' Breaks Top 10 Record on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 24, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  24. ^ Young, Alex (February 28, 2019). "The Jonas Brothers announce reunion, new single "Sucker" arrives tomorrow". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on September 4, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  25. ^ a b c "Billboard Honors Republic Records as 2019 Label of the Year". Billboard. January 20, 2020. Archived from the original on April 4, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  26. ^ a b "Billie Eilish Named Variety's Hitmaker of the Year; Will Be Honored at 3rd Annual Brunch". Variety. November 19, 2019. Archived from the original on December 8, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  27. ^ Rys, Dan (December 19, 2019). "The Singles and Stars That Made Republic 2019's Top Hot 100 Label". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 26, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  28. ^ "JYP Entertainment & Republic Records Enter Strategic Partnership For Girl Group Twice: Exclusive". Billboard. February 24, 2020. Archived from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  29. ^ "(G)I-DLE Signs With Republic Records in US: Exclusive". Billboard. April 9, 2020. Archived from the original on April 10, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
  30. ^ Aswad, Jem (September 8, 2020). "Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Lizzo Win Big at 2020 iHeartRadio Music Awards". Variety.
  31. ^ Chris, Willman (May 27, 2021). "iHeartRadio Music Awards Keep the Weeknd's Vindication Lap Going". Variety.
  32. ^ Caulfield, Keith (December 2, 2021). "The Year in Charts 2021: Republic Is Top Label of the Year". Billboard.
  33. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (December 16, 2021). "How Monte and Avery Lipman Brought Republic Records From a Basement Apartment to the Top of the Chart". Billboard.
  34. ^ Stassen, Murray (January 28, 2021). "DistroKid launches 'matchmaking service' to help labels find unsigned artists; Republic Records named first partner". Music Business Worldwide. Archived from the original on February 21, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  35. ^ Caulfield, Keith (January 20, 2021). "Republic Records Marks Milestone Week on Billboard 200 Albums Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  36. ^ Willman, Chris (February 1, 2021). "Republic Records Rules Album Chart, as Morgan Wallen, Pop Smoke, Taylor Swift, Weeknd Lock Up Top Spots". Variety. Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  37. ^ "Taylor Swift". GRAMMY.com. April 22, 2021. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  38. ^ Rys, Dan (November 24, 2021). "Republic Records Names Wendy Goldstein, Jim Roppo Co-Presidents". Billboard. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  39. ^ "UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC EXPANSION AND FRONTLINE LABEL LAUNCHES WITHIN CHINA". UMG. August 16, 2021. Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  40. ^ Abanes, Mariel (July 9, 2022). "Republic Records launches in the Philippines with Zack Tabudlo, Darren Espanto and more artists on roster". NME. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  41. ^ Benjamin, Jeff (February 10, 2022). "JYP & Republic Expand Strategic Partnership to Include ITZY & Stray Kids: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  42. ^ Benjamin, Jeff (May 31, 2023). "K-Pop Label JYP Expands Partnership With Republic Records & Imperial to Cover Its Full Roster". Billboard. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  43. ^ Angermiller, Michele Amabile (March 22, 2022). "Olivia Rodrigo, Dua Lipa, Lil Nas X, Foo Fighters Score Multiple Wins at iHeartRadio Music Awards". Variety.
  44. ^ Caulfield, Keith (December 1, 2022). "Republic Is the Top Label of 2022: The Year in Charts". Billboard.
  45. ^ Mamo, Heran (February 2, 2023). "Kim Petras Calls Republic Records 'Best Label Ever' While Presenting Label of the Year Award to Monte & Avery Lipman". Billboard.
  46. ^ Caulfield, Keith (June 28, 2023). "Republic Records Has Longest Streak for a Label Atop Billboard 200 Albums Chart in 25 Years". Billboard.
  47. ^ Caulfield, Keith (December 7, 2023). "Republic Records' Historic Week: Label Claims Top 6 Albums on Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  48. ^ Aswad, Jem (March 12, 2024). "Universal Music Restructuring Continues, East Coast Labels Unite via Republic Corps Division". Variety. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  49. ^ Rys, Dan (March 12, 2024). "UMG's East Coast Labels Reorganize as 'Republic Corps' With New Structure". Billboard. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  50. ^ "Bloodhound Gang - Dingleberry Haze". Discogs.com. September 14, 1994. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  51. ^ "RIAA – Gold & Platinum – September 4, 2010: Kevin Rudolf certified singles". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  52. ^ "Gold & Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on August 13, 2016. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  53. ^ 4Music 360 SESSION I Jay Sean interview in Miami I Part 1/3 on YouTube
  54. ^ Pietroluongo, Silvio (October 7, 2009), "Jay Sean Sends Peas Packing From Hot 100 Penthouse", Billboard, archived from the original on July 1, 2013, retrieved November 1, 2009
  55. ^ Alan Jones (February 5, 2010). "Lady Antebellum top US chart". Music Week. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved February 15, 2010.
  56. ^ "Taylor Swift Hints at New Project on Social Media". Billboard. April 15, 2019. Archived from the original on April 27, 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  57. ^ "Taylor-made '80s sounds". New Straits Times. December 30, 2014. Archived from the original on July 8, 2019. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
  58. ^ "Jack Johnson". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  59. ^ Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley's Welcome To Jamrock Certified Gold by RIAA; Project Also Nominated for Two Grammy Awards Archived May 24, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. World Music Central.org (February 4, 2006).
  60. ^ Peters, Mitchell (August 10, 2019). "Ariana Grande Thanks Republic Records on Eighth Anniversary of Label Signing: 'Thank U For Believing in Me'". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 29, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  61. ^ Smith, Da'Shan (February 16, 2019). "XO And Beyond: How The Weeknd Forged His Own R&B Empire". uDiscoverMusic. Archived from the original on May 17, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  62. ^ Carley, Brennan (February 12, 2015). "Florence + the Machine Announce Third Album, 'How Big How Blue How Beautiful'". Spin. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  63. ^ Reed, Ryan (May 3, 2018). "Florence and the Machine Preview New LP With Soulful 'Hunger'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  64. ^ Hunt, El (February 16, 2017). "IS THE NEW LORDE ALBUM IMMINENT?!". DIY Magazine. Archived from the original on March 1, 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  65. ^ Phillips, Amy (March 2, 2017). "Lorde Announces New Album Melodrama". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  66. ^ Cook-Wilson, Winston (January 10, 2019). "James Blake Announces Release Date and Confirms Tracklist for New Album Assume Form". Spin. Archived from the original on March 15, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  67. ^ Uitti, Jake (April 2, 2020). "Gigaton". Under the Radar Magazine. Archived from the original on February 28, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  68. ^ "Artists".
  69. ^ "LISTEN: Shania Twain Drops 'Waking up Dreaming' with New Record Label". September 23, 2022.
  70. ^ "Artists".
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Republic_Records&oldid=1258206684#Universal_Republic_Records:_2006–2012"