Universal Republic Records
| Universal Republic Records | |
|---|---|
| File: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.
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:
- Singer-songwriter Jay Sean and singer-songwriter and producer Kevin Rudolf of Cash Money Records. Rudolf's single, "Let It Rock" was certified 3x Platinum[2] 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 over 6 million worldwide.[3] Sean's follow-up single "Do You Remember" also sold over a million copies.[4] Cash Money Records also houses rapper Bow Wow.
- American Singer-Songwriter Taylor Swift with Nashville-based Big Machine Records. Swift today is a 6x Platinum artist with 4 Grammys and 20 million records sold worldwide.Recording Industry Association of America: 4× Platinum[5] In 2010 The Band Perry was also signed to Republic vis-a-vis Big Machine Records.
- 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[5]
- Damian Marley with Jr. Gong Records, whose debut album reached Gold certification and sold 1 million worldwide.[6]
- Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros from Vagrant Records
- British singer-songwriter Jessie J and Black Veil Brides vis-a-vis the Lava Records imprint, originally founded in 1995 by hugely successful A&R, Jason Flom.
- Producer Rick Rubin has revived his imprint American Recordings at Universal Republic, bringing artists such as The Avett Brothers and ZZ Top to the label.
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:
- 2006: Hinder.[7]
- 2007: Amy Winehouse[8][9] In 2007, Colbie Caillat'
- 2008: Taylor Swift
- 2009: Owl City
- 2010: Florence + the Machine
- 2011: Ariana Grande signed with Universal Republic in August 2011.
- 2012: Lisa Marie Presley[10] Republic Nashville's The Band Perry, and James Blake.[11]
External links
References
- ^ Ethiopia Habtemariam Named Senior Vice President of Motown Records. Billboard.biz (August 10, 2011).
- ^ "RIAA – Gold & Platinum – September 4, 2010: Kevin Rudolf certified singles". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
- ^ Dawson, Kim (February 27, 2010). "Jay Sean's Boycott Plan Over Brits Snub". Daily Star. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ Alan Jones (February 5, 2010). "Lady Antebellum top US chart". Music Week. Retrieved February 15, 2010.
- ^ a b "RIAA – Gold & Platinum". RIAA.com. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 15, 2011. Cite error: The named reference "riaa" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ 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).
- ^ "Review". Allmusic. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
- ^ (December 6, 2007). "The Envelope Please" Los Angeles Times'.' Retrieved December 6, 2007.
- ^ The Envelope Please Los Angeles Times 6 December 2007. Theenvelope.latimes.com.
- ^ Blog Archive » Universal Republic Introduces Jessie J to the US w/Help From B.O.B.!. Clizbeats.com (January 14, 2011).
- ^ James Blake Signs to Universal Republic in the U.S. | News. Pitchfork (February 2, 2011).
External links
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