Republic Records Stops Use Of Term 'Urban' For Music Genre With Immediate Effect

Hence, Republic Records will remove the term 'urban' from all aspects of its business and in describing music made by black artists such as rap, hip hop, soul, and R&B.  

Since the death of an unarmed black man George Floyd in the hands of the police in Minneapolis, most cities in the United States have been besieged by people protesting against racism and brutality faced by blacks and ethnic minorities in the country. 

The record label which is owned by the Universal Music Group released a statement via Instagram in that regard on Monday with an immediate effect stop to the use of the term. 

"Effective immediately, Republic Urban will remove  'Urban' from out verbiage in describing departments, employee titles and music genres," the statement reads. 

UMG is the world's largest record label company and housed artists like Drake, Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Elton Robbie Williams, Sam Smith, Ariana Grande, Stevie Wonder, and Afrobeat singer Tiwa Savage. 

Dropping the use of the term is intended to help turn a new leave in the music industry according to UMG as it will also help to reshape the future of the industry and moved its many years past of unpleasant history. 

The statement reads further, " We encourage the rest of the music industry to follow suit as it is important to shape the future of what we want it to look like, not adhere to the outdated structure of the past."