Universal Music China launches Republic Records brand

Universal Music Greater China and Republic Records today announced the launch of Republic Records China.

It is the first international label division of leading stateside label Republic Records to launch worldwide.

“We’re thrilled to see the launch of Republic Records in China led by the brilliant leadership team of Tony and Sunny. This initiative recognizes the extraordinary growth in the Chinese marketplace and the palpable influence which has made a tremendous impact on our industry worldwide.” – Republic Records founder Chairman & CEO Monte Lipman

Republic Records, the label founded by brothers and chief executives Monte and Avery Lipman, is home to some of the world’s most acclaimed and successful international artists, labels and entrepreneurs including Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Drake, The Weeknd and Post Malone amongst others and has long been synonymous with breaking and introducing global talent of the highest quality. In recent years, Republic artists have found success around the world, including in China, where Taylor Swift has consistently broken records for international sales success, thanks to building large loyal fanbase across the region.

The new Republic Records China label will be built with the same blueprint and ethos as its sister-label, but will focus on signing and developing the next generation of Chinese music and C-pop talent from Mainland China, with a view to reaching a global audience. The label will be based in Beijing and led by Tony Wen, who has been appointed Managing Director, Republic Records China, effective immediately and will report to Sunny Chang, Chairman & CEO, UMGC. Wen has significant experience within the Chinese music and media industries as both a successful music producer and former Sony Music and EE-media executive, with the first label signings to the new label to be announced shortly.

Pictured top: Republic Records founder Chairman & CEO Monte Lipman. Pictured above: Tony Wen, Managing Director, Republic Records China

“I’d like to thank Monte, Avery and Republic Records for their support, as we welcome Republic Records China and Tony to the UMG label family. We are incredibly excited for Republic to become a new force synonymous with the best in Chinese music, just as the Republic brand is seen as a trusted mark of quality around the world.  It is a unique time for music in China, with a diversly rich talent pool of new artists and talent that have the potential to find huge success both domestically, across Asia and more than-ever before around the world.

“UMG has a long history and culture of supporting and developing the best global music talent, and the launch of new labels only helps to accelerate and strengthen the domestic Chinese music market and most importantly introduce new and exciting artists and music to fans in China and beyond.” – Adam Granite, EVP, Market Development, UMG

The launch comes as part of a significant expansion of UMG’s recorded music operations within China, with the establishment of a multi-label structure, to lead its focus on domestic A&R and local language artists within the region.

Republic Records China will sit alongside EMI China, PolyGram Records China & Universal Music China, each operating independently with their own dedicated artist rosters, A&R and specialist  marketing teams as part of an innovative and unique to market, multi-label strategy, reinforcing UMGC’s commitment to accelerating and introducing the next wave of Chinese music talent to the world across a variety of genres, as it becomes the first major music company to establish multiple frontline label operations across China.