The Year in Charts: Republic Records Is Top Label of 2018
For the third time in the past four years, Republic Records finishes as the top label on Billboard's year-end charts. The label also led the way in 2016 and 2015.
For the third time in the past four years, Republic Records finishes as the top label on Billboard‘s year-end charts. The label also led the way in 2016 and 2015.
Republic is additionally the 2018 champ on the Billboard Hot 100 labels recap for the year. It’s the fifth year in a row the company has achieved the feat, and the sixth time in the last seven years.
The top overall labels of 2018 were determined by blending cumulative performance on the Billboard 200 albums chart and Hot 100 songs chart through the eligibility year (charts dated Dec. 2, 2017 through Nov. 17, 2018). Data registered before or after a title’s chart run are not considered in these standings.
“It is a privilege to represent the biggest artists in the world and help make a contribution towards their success,” says Monte Lipman, founder and chairman of Republic Records. “Our team is more focused and determined than ever to reach new milestones as we compete at the highest level.”
Explore All of Billboard‘s Year-End 2018 Charts
Republic’s 2018 year-end triumph is powered in part by the performance of such hit albums as Drake’s Scorpion (released via Young Money/Cash Money/Republic Records) and Post Malone’s beerbongs & bentleys and Stoney (Republic), which finish at Nos. 2, 3 and 8, respectively, on the year-end Billboard 200 albums roundup.
Other albums contributing to Republic’s dominance this year: Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter V (Young Money/Republic), Drake’s 2017 release More Life (Young Money/Cash Money/Republic), Ariana Grande’sSweetener (Republic), Nicki Minaj’s Queen (Young Money/Cash Money/Republic) and The Weeknd’s My Dear Melancholy EP (XO/Republic).
Republic‘s Big Year on the Hot 100: Republic also had an exceptional year on the Hot 100 songs chart, as the label dominated the top of the tally in 2018.
During the chart year (Dec. 2, 2017-Nov. 17, 2018), Republic found success with four of the top 10 year-end Hot 100 songs of 2018. The year’s top song is Drake’s “God’s Plan” (Young Money/Cash Money/Republic), while Post Malone is at No. 5 with “Rockstar,” featuring 21 Savage, and No. 6 with “Psycho,” featuring Ty Dolla $ign (both on Republic). Another Drake track, “In My Feelings” (Young Money/Cash Money/Republic) rounds out Republic’s 40 percent share of the year-end Hot 100 top 10, at No. 9.
Other notable Republic hits on the Hot 100 that helped the label to win the year: Ariana Grande’s “No Tears Left to Cry” (Republic), Taylor Swift’s “Delicate” (Big Machine/Republic, as Republic handled the promotion of the single for Big Machine) and Shawn Mendes’ “In My Blood” (Island/Republic, as Republic administers promotion for the Island imprint).
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34 Weeks at No. 1 and Counting: Further, between the charts dated Jan. 3 and Dec. 15, 2018 (with two chart weeks left in the calendar year), Republic has logged 34 weeks atop the weekly Hot 100 chart. In the survey’s 60-year history, that’s the second-best annual run, and the best this decade.
Drake accounted for 29 of ‘s 34 weeks atop the Hot 100 in 2018. Here is a breakdown: Drake’s “God’s Plan” (11 weeks at No. 1), “In My Feelings” (10) and “Nice for What” (eight); Grande’s “Thank U, Next,” her first No. 1 (four, as of the latest, Dec. 15-dated chart); and Post Malone’s “Psycho,” featuring Ty Dolla $ign (one).
Zomba (which eventually morphed into the current RCA) is the only label to have claimed a greater slice of the No. 1 spot on the Hot 100 in a year, having ruled for 42 weeks in 2004. Similar to Drake’s domination in 2018, Usher accounted for 28 of those 42 weeks (all by acts also sporting the LaFace imprint), via four No. 1s. (Drake ultimately broke Usher’s one-year record for the most weeks atop the Hot 100, with Drake’s 29 weeks at No. 1 in 2018 besting Usher’s 28 in 2004.)
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