Videos by According2HipHop
Republic Records is making a bold leap into the gaming world with OnlyHands, a real-time mobile fighting game developed alongside Nothing Projects Interactive, set to launch in Q4 2025. Early previews suggest the game could become the spiritual successor to Def Jam: Fight for NY, blending music, combat, and pop culture in a way fans haven’t seen in years.
Players will step into the shoes of avatars modeled after Republic Records’ top artists, leveraging their music as a strategic tool in battles. While the full roster remains under wraps, anticipated stars include Nicki Minaj, Kid Cudi, Ariana Grande, Lorde, and Taylor Swift, promising a diverse lineup that spans rap heavyweights to pop icons.
For Zane Comer, CEO of Nothing Projects Interactive, OnlyHands represents more than just a collaboration between music and gaming—it’s the creation of a new medium altogether.
“Gaming and music were never truly separate—they just hadn’t found their native form…What we’re building isn’t a crossover, it’s a new medium,” Comer explained.
The game is built around a “music-first” ecosystem, centered on four pillars:
- Combat-driven streaming: Winning matches generates real music streams.
- Artist avatars with signature movesets: Each avatar’s abilities are inspired by their songs and personas.
- Instant content injections: Artists can release cosmetics, tracks, or moves in real time.
- A live fan economy: Combines streams, item drops, and in-game purchases to engage players dynamically.
Republic Records founder and Vice Chairman/COO of Republic Collective, Avery Lipman, emphasized the cultural significance of the project.
“They’ve created a new paradigm with OnlyHands. It’s a seamless platform for the integration of gaming, music, and culture,” Lipman said.
OnlyHands also fits into Republic Records and Universal Music Group’s broader strategy in interactive entertainment, following initiatives like the Roblox music hub Beat Galaxy, TWICE’s metaverse fan experience, and partnerships that integrate tracks from artists such as Lil Wayne directly into games.
Early glimpses of OnlyHands are generating excitement across social media. Sauce Walka, featured in trailers and involved in the game’s development, celebrated the project on Instagram, calling it a mix of nostalgia and forward-thinking gameplay. The official OnlyHands website reinforces this playful, fan-focused energy, featuring fictional “studies,” teaser videos, and cameos from artists like Boosie, Key Glock, and Kodak Black.
Fans can expect a vibrant, humorous universe that captures the energy of the music industry while reflecting internet culture. With OnlyHands, Republic Records is staking its claim at the intersection of music, gaming, and cultural innovation.
