REPUBLIC co-founders Monte and Avery Lipman will be presented with the 2026 Grammy Salute to Industry Icons award at the Pre-Grammy Gala on January 31, 2026.
The invitation-only event at the Beverly Hilton Hotel will recognize the brothers’ accomplishments after co-founding Republic Records, an independent music recording company, in 1995.
The company has since earned Billboard‘s Hot 100 Label of the Year title 11 times over the past 12 years. Monte Lipman serves as founder and Chief Executive Officer, while Avery Lipman serves as founder and Chief Operating Officer.
Universal Music Group recently appointed both brothers to lead its East Coast Collective of labels that includes Island Records, Def Jam Recordings, Mercury Records and Republic Records, among others.
They join past awardees of the Grammy Salute to Industry Icons award, including Universal Music Publishing Group Chairman and CEO Jody Gerson (2024), Sony Music Publishing Chairman and CEO Jon Platt (2023), former Atlantic Music Group Chairman and CEO Julie Greenwald, and Atlantic Records Chairman and CEO Craig Kallman (2023), among many others.
“Monte and Avery are proof of how far drive and dedication, combined with passion and talent, can go in this industry.”
Harvey Mason jr., the Recording Academy
Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, said: “Monte and Avery are proof of how far drive and dedication, combined with passion and talent, can go in this industry.”
“Their collective vision and unwavering will to go above and beyond for the incredible community of artists they support have made Republic Records one of the most influential labels in the world. We look forward to celebrating their impact as true industry icons at the 2026 Pre-GRAMMY Gala.”
Beyond their professional work, the Lipman brothers also maintain active philanthropic involvement. They’ve received recognition from City of Hope, the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, UJA-Federation, the T.J. Martell Foundation and Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation.
Monte Lipman has served on the board of directors for the Robin Hood Foundation since 2022. He and his wife, Dr. Angelina Lipman, have also been honored by the DKMS Foundation.
“Monte and Avery are two of the music industry’s most illustrious leaders, and I am thrilled that they will be this year’s Salute to Industry Icons honorees.”
Clive Davis
Clive Davis, who will host the annual gala, said: “Monte and Avery are two of the music industry’s most illustrious leaders, and I am thrilled that they will be this year’s Salute to Industry Icons honorees.”
“Their longtime trailblazing commitment to supporting songwriters across the music spectrum as well as their staunch dedication to advocacy, diversity and equality in the music business are exemplary. Artists and the industry at large are fortunate to have Monte and Avery’s insights and passion at the helm.”
Davis is a veteran record producer, A&R executive, record executive, and lawyer who has won five Grammy Awards throughout his career. His career started at Columbia Records where he was named president in 1967 and signed Earth, Wind & Fire, Billy Joel, Janis Joplin, Santana, and Bruce Springsteen.
He then co-founded Arista Records in 1974 and signed Whitney Houston, Barry Manilow and Patti Smith. In 2000, Davis founded J Records, signing and developing artists like Alicia Keys and Maroon 5. His influence extends beyond record production. In 2002, he established the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at New York University.
The 2026 Grammy Awards will take place on February 1, 2026, the day after the gala. The event is sponsored by Hilton, IBM and Mastercard.
Music Business Worldwide
