Republic Records

Republic Records began as an independent New York City label founded in 1995 by brothers Avery Lipman and Monte Lipman. Its early signings included the Bloodhound Gang, Chumbawamba, 3 Doors Down and Godsmack, placing rock, alternative and pop crossover records at the center of its first chapter. Chumbawamba’s Tubthumper became an international success, while 3 Doors Down and Godsmack helped build the label’s commercial profile.

Universal Music Group acquired Republic in 2000. Following a 2006 corporate reorganization, it operated as Universal Republic Records within the Universal Motown Republic Group, before returning to the Republic Records name in 2012. Monte Lipman has served as chairman and CEO, with Avery Lipman also central to the company’s direction from its founding onward.

The revived Republic has worked across mainstream pop, hip-hop, R&B, rock and country. The Weeknd, Ariana Grande, Post Malone, Nicki Minaj, Kid Cudi and Morgan Wallen are among the artists associated with the label, reflecting a roster built around major pop releases alongside rap, singer-songwriter and country records. Republic has also released music by Lorde, Florence + the Machine, James Blake, Pearl Jam, Kim Petras and the Jonas Brothers. Taylor Swift began issuing new music through Republic after completing her previous recording contract, including Lover, Folklore, Evermore and Midnights.

Republic’s work has extended to film music and international partnerships. In 2018 it collaborated with Sony Pictures on the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse soundtrack, which included Post Malone and Swae Lee’s “Sunflower,” a Billboard Hot 100 number one. The label partnered with JYP Entertainment in 2020 on U.S. releases for Twice, and later worked on releases involving Itzy and Stray Kids; it also signed (G)I-dle for its American debut. In 2024, Republic became part of Republic Corps, Universal Music Group’s East Coast division bringing Republic together with Island Records and Def Jam under Monte Lipman’s leadership in New York City.