The music world is set to honour two of its most influential behind-the-scenes architects Avery Lipman and Monte Lipman, co-founders of Republic Records at the 2026 Pre-GRAMMY Gala, where they will receive the prestigious GRAMMY “Salute to Industry Icons” award.

The event, a highlight during GRAMMY Week, will take place on Saturday, January 31, 2026, just before the main GRAMMY Awards. The honour recognizes their decades-long contributions to music: from co-founding Republic in 1995 to shaping global charts, mentoring artists, and building a powerhouse label that has defined modern pop, hip hop, and R&B.

Why This Matters, Inside & Outside the Boardroom

• Legacy of influence: Under their leadership, Republic Records has repeatedly topped global charts becoming one of the most successful labels of the past decades. Their work has helped launch and sustain careers of some of the biggest artists in the world.

• Industry shaping power: Beyond chart success, the Lipmans’ influence extends to shaping industry standards: supporting songwriters, advocating for diversity and equity in music, and nurturing talent across genres.

• Bridge between eras: Their recognition shows how industry stewardship not just artists is vital to music’s evolution. It’s a nod to executives whose decisions behind the scenes ripple outward, changing the course of global sound.

Organized by The Recording Academy in collaboration with legendary music executive Clive Davis, the Pre-GRAMMY Gala is invitation-only, bringing together top creators, executives, and music professionals from around the world.

The Lipmans’ honour will likely include tributes from peers, retrospective glimpses at their career milestones, and public recognition of their contributions shining a spotlight on the often-unseen architects of the music industry.

This recognition transcends any single genre or market. Republic Records has a global footprint, and the Lipmans’ leadership contributed to shaping what mainstream global pop sounds like. Their impact affects not just U.S. charts but music worldwide including African, Latin, and Asian music scenes where Republic’s releases travel.

Moreover, this honour underscores that the “music business” isn’t just about artists the executives, visionaries, and decision-makers behind the scenes play a crucial role. Celebrating them helps acknowledge that building a sustainable, equitable, genre-crossing industry requires more than hit songs it requires vision, strategy, mentorship, and solidarity.