History
According to Avery Lipman, he and his brother Monte Lipman first conceived of Republic Records at the kitchen table of 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 grassroots approach to the business. The first record we put out happened to work really well. That was the Bloodhound Gang.[5]
The Lipman brothers accepted an offer from Universal in 2008 and resigned with UMG in 2011.[6][7] One of several labels that comprise Universal Motown Republic Group, the newly named Republic Records was formed in 1995 as a sub-label of MCA's Geffen Records.
Universal Records: 1999–2005
Universal Music Group acquired the Lipman brothers' Republic Records as a fully owned subsidiary in 1999, and named Monte Lipman as President of the newly established Universal Records label, and Avery Lipman the COO; both reporting to Doug Morris (Chairman of Universal Music Group), and Mel Lewinter, (Chairman of Universal Records Group). During their tenure, the Lipmans shaped the newly formed company and took on new acts including Nelly, Lil Wayne, Elton John, and co-ventures with labels such as Cash Money Records and No Limit.[citation needed]
Universal Republic Records: 2006–12
As of 2006, Universal Republic adopted an A&R and partnership-based growth strategy. In the summer of 2011, changes were made at the Universal Motown Republic Group umbrella, Motown Records was separated from Universal Motown Records (causing it to shut down and transfer its artists to either Motown Records or Universal Republic Records) and the umbrella label and merged into The Island Def Jam Music Group, making Universal Republic Records a stand-alone label and shutting down Universal Motown Republic Group.[8]
Republic Records revival: 2012–present
In mid-2012, Universal Republic Records changed its name to its former name Republic Records. All Universal Republic Records roster were moved to Republic Records. The label has since released albums by Lil Wayne, Kid Cudi and Tyga among others. The new Republic became the number one label in soundtrack production and sales.[9] On March 31, 2014, it was announced that Big Machine and Republic Records revived Dot Records, and that Chris Stacey would be head of the label.[10] Dot is the third imprint -- technically the fourth, counting Big Machine itself -- launched under Big Machine Label Group, following Valory (Brantley Gilbert, Justin Moore, Reba McEntire) and Republic Nashville (Florida Georgia Line, The Band Perry, Eli Young Band).[11]
On June 20, 2014, it was announced that Republic has partnered with VH1 to create the "Make a Band Famous" campaign, which will pick a pristine star for the network to appear in new spots and a band will be added to Republic's growing roster.[12] VH1 and Republic has both used Social media in this campaign.[13] In 2015 Republic Records had songs in six of the spots in the Top 10 of the Mediabase Top 40 Chart, which tied a record that had been set in 2013.[14]
Republic Records appointed its first executive vice president of film & television Dana Sano, formerly New Line Cinema senior music executive, in July 2017. The position would oversee film and TV projects and Federal Films initiative in working with UMG's Polygram Entertainment.[15]
In November 2017, Republic was recognized as Variety's Hitmaker Label of the Year.[16]
Collaborations
Republic Records' former logo
In the earlier days, Republic Records released the Bloodhound Gang's EP, Dingleberry Haze (1994)[17] as well as their first LP, Use Your Fingers. Universal Republic has created strategic partnerships and co-ventures. Singer Jay Sean and producer Kevin Rudolf of Cash Money Records. Rudolf's single, "Let It Rock" was certified 3x Platinum[18] and licensed by multiple television networks for sports and other entertainment endorsements. Jay Sean's debut single "Down" sold 3 million copies in the United States and 6 million worldwide.[19] Sean's follow-up single "Do You Remember" also sold over a million copies.[20] American singer Taylor Swift with Nashville-based Big Machine Records. Swift today is a Diamond artist with 10 Grammys and 40 million records sold worldwide (Recording Industry Association of America: 4× Platinum).[21] Jack Johnson on Brushfire Records who has achieved multi-Platinum certifications twice and is estimated to have sold about 8 million albums worldwide (Recording Industry Association of America: Platinum).[21] Damian Marley with Jr. Gong Records, whose debut album reached Gold certification and sold 1 million worldwide.[22]
