Universal Republic Records

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Universal Republic Records
UniversalRepublic.svg
Parent company Universal Music Group
Founded 2006
Status Defunct (converted into Republic Records)
Distributor(s) Self Distributed
(In the US)
Universal Island Records
(Outside the US)
Genre Various
Country of origin United States
Location Santa Monica, California
Official Website Official website

Universal Republic Records was a record label, owned by Universal Music Group. It was based on the then-defunct Republic Records label founded by brothers Monte and Avery Lipman. In the summer of 2011, changes were made at one of the three Universal Music Group umbrella labels, Universal Motown Republic Group, and 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.[1] In mid-2012, the label reverted to its original Republic Records name, making this label permanately defunct.

Contents

Universal Records: 2000-2005

Universal Music Group acquired the Lipman brothers' Republic Records as a fully owned subsidiary in 2000, 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 into an industry leader with such acts as Nelly, Lil’ Wayne, Elton John, and co-ventures with Cash Money Records, Master P’s No Limit Records, and Sean “Puffy” Combs (Bad Boy Records).

Universal Republic Records: 2006–2012

As of 2006, Universal Republic has adopted an A&R and partnership-based growth strategy. In an era of music industry transition they have proven effective, as Universal Republic has continued to grow in the industry's declining years. Universal Republic become a stand-alone label after Universal Motown Republic Group was shut down in summer 2011. One year later, it was renamed back to Republic Records.

Collaborations

Strategic partnerships and co-ventures orchestrated by Universal Republic's senior management have seen highly-commended success since 2005. Artists signed under these partnerships include:

The label also houses successful ventures and alliances with Mark Burnett as the home record label to NBC-TV’s The Voice, MTV’s Jersey Shore (Soundtrack), Downtown Records, Indie-Pop Records, (Gene) Simmons Records, and Tuff Gong Records; home to Stephen Marley.

Notable artists

In chronological order are current Republic artists, and their accolades:

  • 2006: Hinder, whose debut album Extreme Behavior achieved 3x Platinum certification in the United States and sold 5 million worldwide.[7]
  • 2007: Amy Winehouse, whose debut album for the Universal Republic, Back to Black achieved 2x Platinum certification and sold 10 million worldwide. Amy Winehouse also received five Grammys.[8][9] In 2007, Colbie Caillat's debut album Coco also received a 3x Platinum certification and her second album Breakthrough received a Grammy nomination and she won 2 Grammys.
  • 2008: Taylor Swift (success aforementioned)
  • 2009: Owl City, whose single "Fireflies" received Platinum certification and sold 2 million worldwide as a number one record in 27 countries. Also signed in 2009, the band Lonely Island received Gold certification as the number 1 comedy album of the year. Lonely Island's YouTube videos have over 350 million aggregate views.
  • 2010: Florence + the Machine debuts in the United States with Lungs which received Gold certification, a Grammy nomination and won the 2010 Brit Award for album of the year.
  • 2011: Nickelodeon star Ariana Grande signed with Universal Republic in August 2011. Her first single, titled "Put Your Hearts Up" debuted on iTunes on December 20, 2011.
  • 2011: Family Guy and American Dad! creator Seth MacFarlane signed with Universal Republic in 2011 to produce his debut album, Music Is Better Than Words.
  • 2012: Lisa Marie Presley, whose third album Storm & Grace was released on the label on May 15, 2012; produced by T-Bone Burnett.
Major acts of 2011

In 2011, Lava Records plans to breakout highly-anticipated artists including Jessie J, (winner of Critics Choice Brit Award and the BBC Sound of 2011)[10] Republic Nashville's The Band Perry, and James Blake.[11]

Label roster

The following list includes individuals and bands signed to the Universal Republic roster, according to the label's website.[12]

References

  1. ^ Ethiopia Habtemariam Named Senior Vice President of Motown Records. Billboard.biz (August 10, 2011).
  2. ^ "RIAA – Gold & Platinum – September 4, 2010: Kevin Rudolf certified singles". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 4, 2010. 
  3. ^ Dawson, Kim (February 27, 2010). "Jay Sean's Boycott Plan Over Brits Snub". Daily Star. Retrieved February 27, 2010. 
  4. ^ Alan Jones (February 5, 2010). "Lady Antebellum top US chart". Music Week. Retrieved February 15, 2010. 
  5. ^ a b "RIAA – Gold & Platinum". RIAA.com. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 15, 2011. 
  6. ^ 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).
  7. ^ "Review". Allmusic. Retrieved June 5, 2010. 
  8. ^ (December 6, 2007). "The Envelope Please" Los Angeles Times'.' Retrieved December 6, 2007.
  9. ^ The Envelope Please Los Angeles Times 6 December 2007. Theenvelope.latimes.com.
  10. ^ Blog Archive » Universal Republic Introduces Jessie J to the US w/Help From B.O.B.!. Clizbeats.com (January 14, 2011).
  11. ^ James Blake Signs to Universal Republic in the U.S. | News. Pitchfork (February 2, 2011).
  12. ^ Universal Republic Community | 3doorsdown 's Profile. Universalrepublic.com (February 3, 2009).

External links

References

  1. ^ Ethiopia Habtemariam Named Senior Vice President of Motown Records. Billboard.biz (August 10, 2011).
  2. ^ "RIAA – Gold & Platinum – September 4, 2010: Kevin Rudolf certified singles". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 4, 2010. 
  3. ^ Dawson, Kim (February 27, 2010). "Jay Sean's Boycott Plan Over Brits Snub". Daily Star. Retrieved February 27, 2010. 
  4. ^ Alan Jones (February 5, 2010). "Lady Antebellum top US chart". Music Week. Retrieved February 15, 2010. 
  5. ^ a b "RIAA – Gold & Platinum". RIAA.com. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 15, 2011. 
  6. ^ 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).
  7. ^ "Review". Allmusic. Retrieved June 5, 2010. 
  8. ^ (December 6, 2007). "The Envelope Please" Los Angeles Times'.' Retrieved December 6, 2007.
  9. ^ The Envelope Please Los Angeles Times 6 December 2007. Theenvelope.latimes.com.
  10. ^ Blog Archive » Universal Republic Introduces Jessie J to the US w/Help From B.O.B.!. Clizbeats.com (January 14, 2011).
  11. ^ James Blake Signs to Universal Republic in the U.S. | News. Pitchfork (February 2, 2011).
  12. ^ Universal Republic Community | 3doorsdown 's Profile. Universalrepublic.com (February 3, 2009).

External links