Republic Chiefs Monte and Avery Lipman on Being Variety Hitmakers Label of the Year for a Sixth Time

Republic Records has secured Variety's Hitmakers Label of the Year award in six of the nine years it has been presented, giving it a formidable .667 winning percentage. For Monte Lipman, the co-founder and CEO of the Republic Collective, that impressive statistic is less meaningful than the three occasions the label did not win. "My first thought is always about the losses when I hear that number," Lipman remarks, highlighting a mindset of constant ambition that has propelled the company's two-decade ascent. This trajectory was formally acknowledged in 2023 when Universal Music Group's chairman-CEO, Lucian Grainge, tasked Monte and his brother, co-founder Avery Lipman, with leading the newly established Republic Collective. This powerful entity strategically unites Republic Records, the iconic Def Jam, Island, and Mercury labels, the independent distribution company Imperial, and the recently relaunched MCA Nashville under a single leadership structure.

The Collective's market dominance is powered by a star-studded roster that includes global superstars like Taylor Swift, Drake, and The Weeknd. Its 2024 performance was further amplified by country phenomenon Morgan Wallen—through a strategic alliance with Big Loud—as well as Island Records' breakthrough artists Chappell Roan and Hitmaker of the Year Sabrina Carpenter. The most explosive success, however, originated from the viral K-pop ensemble "KPop Demon Hunters." Their single "Golden" surged to No. 4 on Luminate's year-to-date chart in under five months and is a strong contender to finish the year at No. 1. Lipman compares steering such a sudden, massive phenomenon to trying to navigate a tsunami. "You aren't directing it; you're just trying to stay afloat," he notes. "It's a cultural lightning strike. We saw a similar global event with Psy's 'Gangnam Style' over a decade ago, but these are exceptional anomalies in the industry." Analysts note that such crossover smashes are increasingly critical for major labels, as they generate unprecedented global streams and can legitimize entire genres in new international markets, much like how the "Korean Wave" or "Hallyu" has permanently altered the global music landscape.

The foundation of the Collective's sustained success lies not in centralized control but in a deliberately decentralized operational framework. Daily oversight of the flagship Republic Records label is now handled by chairman/CEO Jim Roppo and chairwoman/chief creative officer Wendy Goldstein. Lipman characterizes his current role as that of a "coach for the coaches," emphasizing that granting autonomy is the bedrock of their strategy. "Every label within our group runs with substantial independence and its own creative vision," he explains. This model enables executives such as Mercury's Tyler Arnold and Ben Adelson—key architects of Post Malone's career—and Island's Justin Eshak and Imran Majid, known for their A&R acumen, to make crucial artistic decisions. This approach is designed to maintain the nimble, founder-driven ethos of each imprint within the vast Universal Music Group system, a balance that has proven difficult for many consolidated major-label groups to achieve historically.

The efficacy of this philosophy is visible across the Collective's entire portfolio. Lipman cites a revitalized year for Def Jam under co-CEOs Tunji Balogun and Tim Pithouse, marked by new music from Justin Bieber and Grammy nominations, and praises the unique creative identity Dave Cobb and Mike Harris have forged at MCA Nashville. Yet, despite claiming ten of the year's top 25 songs, Lipman consistently returns to the label's foundational artist: Taylor Swift. Her most recent album, 'Life of a Showgirl,' shattered records with a historic 4 million units in its first week of release. "She is a singular creative force, and partnering with her is an honor," Lipman states. To maintain this caliber of achievement, the Lipman brothers foster a culture of exceptionally high standards, frequently invoking a mantra from the late New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner: "If you're not winning the championship every year, it's not a good year." For the Republic Collective, that championship mentality defines every triumph and frames every setback, ensuring the relentless pursuit of industry supremacy remains the only acceptable outcome.