Learn the Interesting History of Republic Records Recording Company

Republic Records is a flagship record label under Universal Music Group , originally founded under the name Cheese Factory Records. It’s one of the world’s biggest record labels, being home to an all-star roster of award-winning legends and superstar artists such as Drake, Ariana Grande, James Bay, Jessie J, Jonas Brothers, Lil Wayne, Seth McFarlane, Taylor Swift, and more.

Company Background

Temporarily named as Universal Republic Records, Republic Records is a label that started out as a subsidiary of MCA’s Geffen Records before switching to Universal Records. It’s one of the biggest division of Universal Music Group, encompassing other business ventures and partnerships with companies including:

  • 21 Entertainment
  • American Recordings
  • Big Machine Label Group
  • BME Recordings
  • Bushfire Records
  • Casablanca Records
  • Hollywood Records
  • Indie Pop Music
  • Cash Money Records
  • Lava Records
  • Loma Vista Recordings
  • Next Plateau Entertainment
  • SRC Records
  • Taylor Swift Productions, Inc.
  • Young Money Entertainment
  • XO
  • Electric Feel Records
  • Boominati Worldwide
  • Galactic Records
  • Monkeywrench Records

With headquarters in New York City, Republic Records also has expanded to release high-profile soundtracks for Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures, NBC TV, and other notable film and television franchises.

Company History

Avery Lipman and Monte Lipman founded republic Records as an independent record label in 1995. The siblings conceived the idea at a kitchen table in their apartment as both of them were working at record companies. The company was formed as a subsidiary of MCA’s Geffen Records, but distribution was quickly changed to the newly established Universal Records. The first EP released by Republic Records was Bloodhound Gang’s Dingleberry Haze.

Universal Music Group acquired the company in 2000 as a wholly-owned subsidiary, with Monte Lipman as president of the Universal Records label and Avery as Republic Record’s president.

In 2006, the two record labels merged as Universal Republic Records after a corporate restructuring. Monte Lipman became president and CEO of the newly restructured label, while Avery Lipman was appointed co-president and COO. That same year, Gary Spangler joined the label to become executive vice president of promotion.

In 2011, Universal Motown Records was shut down, and artists were transferred to Motown Records or Universal Republic Records. The umbrella label was merged with Island Def Jam Music Group, making Universal Republic Records a stand-alone label. The move also shut down the Universal Motown Republic Group. That same year, the restructured company signed Ariana Grande to a recording contract.

In 2012, Universal Republic Records dropped the “Universal” in its name, returning to the Republic Records moniker. That year, it signed Canadian singer The Weeknd through his imprint label, XO, as well as American rapper and singer Post Malone. In 2015, Republic Records had six songs in the top 10 spots on the Mediabase Top 40 Chart.

Republic Records was named Variety’s Hitmaker Label of the Year in 2017, thanks to big hits such as “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee (ft. Justin Beiber), “Congratulations” by Post Malone, “Issues” by Julia Michaels, “Fake Love” and “Passionfruit” by Drake, and “I Don’t Want to Live Forever” by Zayn and Taylor Swift, among other hits of the year.

2018 saw the signing of Taylor Swift, after releasing her music through Big Machine Records for most of her career. Swift, a quadruple-platinum artist, released “ME!” as her first single with the label. In 2019, a reunited Jonas Brothers signed with the label as well.

Republic Records partnered up with JYP Entertainment in 2020 to sign Korean girl group TWICE to their label, representing a diversifying market for K-Pop in the United States.

Popular Artists

  • Akon
  • Amy Winehouse
  • Ariana Grande
  • Austin Mahone
  • Bastille
  • Busta Rhymes
  • ColbieCaillat
  • DNCE
  • Drake
  • Florence and the Machine
  • Florida Georgia Line
  • Gotye
  • Greta Van Fleet
  • Hailee Steinfeld
  • Kelly Rowland
  • Jack Johnson
  • James Bay
  • James Blake
  • Jessie J
  • John Mellencamp
  • Jordan McGraw
  • Jonas Brothers
  • Kid Cudi
  • Liam Payne
  • Lil Wayne
  • Lindsay Lohan
  • Lorde
  • Nelly
  • Nicki Minaj
  • Of Monsters and Men
  • Owl City
  • Paris Hilton
  • Pearl Jam
  • Post Malone
  • Psy
  • Seth MacFarlane
  • Shawn Mendes
  • Snow Patrol
  • Taylor Swift
  • The Cab
  • The Weeknd
  • TWICE
  • Tyga
  • Weezer
  • Zendaya