*Sylvia Rhone, a transformative figure in the music industry, will conclude her tenure as chair and CEO of Epic Records by the end of the month, Variety reports.
At 73, Rhone leaves behind a legacy of breaking barriers as one of the few women to lead a major music label. No successor has been named, but a source indicates that label president Zeke Lewis and GM Rick Sackheim will oversee daily operations following her departure.
Rhone’s journey began as a secretary at Buddah Records after graduating from The Wharton School. She climbed the ranks, eventually becoming the first woman and first Black person to serve as CEO of a major label owned by a Fortune 500 company, a milestone she achieved at 42 with Elektra Records.
“In an industry defined by its constant evolution, Sylvia has adapted and embraced change, time and time again,” wrote Sony Music chief Rob Stringer in an internal memo obtained by Variety. Her leadership at Elektra fostered a diverse roster, including Metallica, Missy Elliott, and Tracy Chapman.
Scroll to continue reading
When Rhone took the helm at Universal Motown, she worked with icons like Stevie Wonder and elevated artists such as Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj through a distribution deal with Cash Money Records. At Epic, where she served as president since 2014 and chair/CEO since 2019, Rhone guided chart-topping successes with artists like 21 Savage, Future, and Tyla.
In her own memo, Rhone reflected: “This role at Epic represents the third time in my career that I’ve been the first woman and first Black person to serve as CEO of a major record label owned by a Fortune 500 company.”
Rhone’s impact extends beyond music. She spearheaded Sony Music’s 2020 “Your Voice, Your Power, Your Vote” campaign and cultivated a diverse workplace at Epic, with 62% women and 57% people of color.
“I am proud of my achievements, and of my commitment to those who take inspiration from them,” she wrote, looking back on a career that spanned vinyl to streaming and earned her honors from Billboard, Fortune, and Berklee College of Music.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Epic Records Chairman & CEO Sylvia Rhone Honored by City of Hope (EUR Exclusive/WATCH!)
Sign up for our Free daily newsletter HERE.
