Republic Records

Republic Records
Parent company Universal Music Group
Founded 1995 (1995)
Founder
Distributor(s)
Genre
Country of origin United States
Location New York City, New York
Official website republicrecords.com

Republic Records is an American record company. It was founded by Avery Lipman and Monte Lipman as an independent label in 1995, and is a division of Universal Music Group (UMG). Acquired by UMG in 2000, it was initially an imprint of the Universal/Motown Records Group. The label was renamed Universal/Republic after a 2006 reorganization, and it was re-branded as Republic Records in 2012.[1][2][3]

The company has its headquarters in New York City. Its roster includes Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande, Black Sabbath, Greta Van Fleet, Black Veil Brides, Drake, Hailee Steinfeld, Jessie J, Lil Wayne, Lorde, Post Malone, The Weeknd, Florence and the Machine, 3 Doors Down, DNCE, Liam Payne,[4] and (formerly) Owl City and Colbie Caillat. The label owns country-music subsidiary Republic Nashville, which includes Florida Georgia Line, The Band Perry and Eli Young Band.

History

According to Avery Lipman, he and his brother Monte conceived of Republic Records at the kitchen table in their apartment:

My brother and I had been working at record companies. He was in between jobs and we started putting records out as a hobby. We had a grassroot approach to the business. The first record we put out happened to work really well. That was the Bloodhound Gang.[5]

The newly named Republic Records was formed in 1995 as a subsidiary of MCA's Geffen Records. The Lipman brothers accepted an offer from Universal in 2008, and resigned from UMG in 2011.[6][7]

Universal Records: 1999–2005

Universal Music Group acquired the Lipman brothers' Republic Records as a wholly owned subsidiary in 1999. Monte Lipman was named president of the newly established Universal Records label, and Avery Lipman was named its chief operating officer. They reported to Doug Morris (chairman of Universal Music Group) and Mel Lewinter, chairman of Universal Records Group.

Universal Republic Records: 2006–12

In 2006, Universal Republic adopted an A&R and partnership-based growth strategy. Changes were made at the Universal Motown Republic Group during the summer of 2011. Motown Records was separated from Universal Motown Records; it shut down, transferring its artists to Motown Records or Universal Republic Records. The umbrella label was merged with the Island Def Jam Music Group, making Universal Republic Records a stand-alone label and shutting down the Universal Motown Republic Group.

Republic Records revival: 2012–present

In October 2012, Universal Republic Records again re-branded itself as Republic Records to mark the arrival of producer Rick Rubin.[8] All artists on the Universal Republic Records roster were moved to Republic Records. The label has released albums by Lil Wayne, Kid Cudi and Tyga; according to executive vice-president Charlie Walk, the new Republic Records was the number-one soundtrack label.[9] On March 31, 2014, it was announced that Big Machine and Republic Records had revived Dot Records and Chris Stacey would head the label.[10] Dot was the third label (after Valory and Republic Nashville) introduced as part of the Big Machine Label Group.[11]

It was announced on June 20, 2014 that Republic had joined VH1 for a "Make a Band Famous" campaign, which would pick an artist for network appearances and Republic's roster.[12] VH1 and Republic used social media for the campaign.[13] Republic Records had songs in six of the top-10 spots on the Mediabase Top 40 Chart in 2015, tying a 2013 record.[14]

The label appointed former New Line Cinema senior music executive Dana Sano its first executive vice-president of film and television in July 2017. The position oversees film and TV projects and the Federal Films initiative, working with UMG's Polygram Entertainment.[15] In November 2017, the company was named Variety's Hitmaker Label of the Year.[16] The following year, Republic named Donna Gryn senior vice-president of marketing.[17]

Releases

Old black-and-white Republic Records logo
Republic Records' former logo

Republic Records released the Bloodhound Gang's 1994 EP, Dingleberry Haze,[18] 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.[19] Jay Sean's debut single, "Down", sold three million copies in the United States and six million copies worldwide.[20] Sean's follow-up single, "Do You Remember", sold over one million copies.[21]

American singer Taylor Swift recorded with Nashville-based Big Machine Records. Swift is a quadruple-platinum artist with 10 Grammy Awards and over 175 million units moved worldwide as of 2014.[22] Jack Johnson has received a number of gold and platinum certifications.[23] Damian Marley's debut album was certified gold and sold one million copies worldwide.[24]

Notable artists

ArtistSignedDescription
3 Doors Down2000Rock band from Escatawpa, Mississippi
Hinder2006Rock band from Oklahoma
Amy Winehouse2007Soul, R&B and jazz singer and songwriter
Nicki Minaj2008Contemporary R&B, hip hop and pop rapper, singer and songwriter
Owl City2009Electronica project by singer and songwriter Adam Young
Black Veil Brides2010Rock band from Cincinnati
James Blake2011Contemporary R&B, electronic, and soul singer and songwriter
Jessie J2011Contemporary R&B, pop and soul singer and songwriter
Ariana Grande2013Contemporary R&B and pop singer and songwriter
Lorde2013Pop singer and songwriter from New Zealand
St. Vincent2013Rock singer and songwriter from Tulsa, Oklahoma
Post Malone 2015 American rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer
The Weeknd2015Contemporary R&B and pop singer and songwriter
Ski Mask the Slump God2016American rapper
Greta Van Fleet 2017 Rock band from Frankenmuth, Michigan

Subsidiaries

References

  1. ↑ "Universal Signs New Agreement With Republic's Monte and Avery Lipman". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  2. ↑ Taylor, Chuck (January 15, 2000). "Lipman to head up Universal Records". Billboard. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  3. ↑ Mitchell, Gayle (February 10, 2007). "Stop in the Name of Shiny Toy Guns". Billboard. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Artists | Republic Records". Republic Records. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  5. ↑ "Interview with Avery Lipman". HitQuarters. 7 Aug 2006. Retrieved 23 Nov 2010.
  6. ↑ "AVERY LIPMAN APPOINTED CO-PRESIDENT AND COO OF UNIVERSAL REPUBLIC RECORDS - UMG". UMG. 2008-01-07. Retrieved 2017-12-05.
  7. ↑ "Universal Republic's Lipman Brothers Re-Sign With UMG". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2017-12-05.
  8. ↑ "Republic Records", Pentagram_(design_firm), New York, 25 October 2012. Retrieved on 29 April 2018.
  9. ↑ Phil Gallo (February 4, 2014). "Q&A: Charlie Walk, Republic's New EVP, on Returning to a Major, Long-Term Strategy". Billboard. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  10. ↑ "BIG MACHINE LABEL GROUP AND REPUBLIC RECORDS REVIVE LEGENDARY DOT RECORDS". universal music.com. 2014. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Scott Borchetta, Chris Stacey on the Relaunch of Dot Records, Big Machine's Latest Imprint". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-12-05.
  12. ↑ "VH1 and Republic Records Team to Make a Band Famous". www.adweek.com. Retrieved 2017-12-06.
  13. ↑ Hugh McIntyre. "VH1 and Republic Records Use Social Media To". Forbes. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
  14. ↑ "Republic Records Promotion Dominates Top 40 Scoring 6 Spots In Top 10". All Access. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
  15. ↑ Halperin, Shirley (July 17, 2017). "'Fifty Shades' Franchise Veteran Dana Sano to Head Film and Television at Republic Records". Variety. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
  16. ↑ Halperin, Shirley (2017-11-21). "Hitmakers: From 'Despacito' to Post Malone, Republic Records Had (Another) Very Good Year". Variety. Retrieved 2017-12-30.
  17. ↑ "Republic Record Promotes Donna Gryn to Senior VP of Marketing". Variety. 23 August 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  18. ↑ "Bloodhound Gang - Dingleberry Haze". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-12-12.
  19. ↑ "RIAA – Gold & Platinum – September 4, 2010: Kevin Rudolf certified singles". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  20. ↑ Dawson, Kim (February 27, 2010). "Jay Sean's Boycott Plan Over Brits Snub". Daily Star. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  21. ↑ Alan Jones (February 5, 2010). "Lady Antebellum top US chart". Music Week. Retrieved February 15, 2010.
  22. ↑ "Taylor-made '80s sounds". New Straits Times. December 30, 2014. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
  23. ↑ "Jack Johnson". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  24. ↑ Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley’s Welcome To Jamrock Certified Gold by RIAA; Project Also Nominated for Two Grammy Awards. World Music Central.org (February 4, 2006).
  25. ↑ Indie Pop Music
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