Sylvia Rhone to exit as Chairwoman/CEO of Epic Records
Sylvia Rhone is leaving her role as Chairwoman and CEO of Sony Music‘s Epic Records.
In a note sent to Sony Music’s employees globally on Monday (September 22), and obtained by MBW, Rhone confirmed: “I am moving on from this historic role at Epic and I’m very excited about the future.”
Sylvia Rhone was promoted to Chairwoman and CEO of Epic Records at Sony Music in April 2019, having previously held the position of President of Epic Records since 2014.
The widely respected executive has helmed senior positions at all three major record companies and was the first woman to be named CEO of a major record label owned by a Fortune 500 company, and the first Black woman in history to attain such a title.
In the note to Sony Music staffers on Monday, Rhone said that “it’s been an extraordinary journey: eleven years since my promotion to President of Epic Records and six years since my appointment as Chairwoman and CEO”.
Added Rhone: “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.”
Elsewhere in the letter, Rhone said: “Looking back on my Epic era fills me with great pride. To my team of creative champions, you now hold the reins, and I know your best work lies ahead.”
In a separate note sent to global Sony Music employees on Monday, also obtained by MBW, Sony Music Group Chairman Rob Stringer said: “Today, I want to take a moment to reflect on the extraordinary career of Sylvia Rhone. In an industry defined by its constant evolution, Sylvia has adapted and embraced change, time and time again. Her journey is more than just a list of accomplishments. She is a trailblazing executive with a distinguished background and unwavering commitment to supporting artists.”
Credit: Sony Music Group
“It has been our honor to work with a true icon and our collective responsibility to continue to build on her work at Epic Records.”
Rob Stringer, Sony Music Group
Added Stringer: “She has made history including becoming the first woman to be named Chair of a major record company and guided some of the biggest artists in our business across every genre. Sylvia’s influence is rooted in an understanding of music’s power to connect with people.
“And as Chairwoman and CEO of our Epic Records, she has shepherded No.1 chart successes with 21 Savage, Future, Travis Scott, and Tyla among others.
“It has been our honor to work with a true icon and our collective responsibility to continue to build on her work at Epic Records.
“Thank you, Sylvia, for your leadership and inspiration. Rob.”
Rhone’s career in the music industry has spanned more than four decades, having guided the careers of legendary artists such as Missy Elliott, Metallica, Tracy Chapman, ACDC, Third Eye Blind, Natalie Merchant, and Busta Rhymes, among many others.
“I am blessed to have worked with some of the most brilliant and influential artists in the history of recorded music.”
Sylvia Rhone
“I am blessed to have worked with some of the most brilliant and influential artists in the history of recorded music,” said Rhone in note issued to Sony Music employees on Monday.
Added Rhone: “And I’ve discovered this: when we channel our strength and creativity in service of a vision, and collaborate with artists who do the same, we create music that reflects our world, questions our assumptions, and uplifts our spirits.
“This is a kind of magic, a deeply human connection. Right now, when music’s DNA is being reimagined, when artists face existential challenges, and when all of us are building the future in real time, there is little that is more profound.
Rhone, who has helmed senior positions at all three major record companies, is considered one of the most influential executives in music industry history.
In 1994, the exec was appointed Chair/CEO of Warner Music Group’s Elektra Entertainment Group, the first Black woman to be named Chairman of a label owned by a Fortune 500 company.
During her decade-long tenure, she transformed the boutique label into one of the most eclectic and successful rosters in music.
Prior to her time at Elektra, Rhone held various senior roles throughout WMG, ABC Records and Ariola Records. She began her career at Buddha Records in 1974.
She also spent eight years at Universal Music Group, where she was President of Universal Motown Records and Executive Vice President at Universal Records from 2004.
Rhone is a graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She received an honorary doctorate from the Berklee College of Music on April 5, 2019, in recognition of her career achievements as a leading female music executive who has reached the status of label head multiple times, and for her influence on the music industry through her leadership.
Included annually in entertainment industry executive power rankings from The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard and Entertainment Weekly, Rhone was the first woman to receive the Music Business’ Association Presidential Award for Sustained Achievement. She has also received Essence’s Black Women in Music Trailblazer Award and the 2011 Keepers of the Dream Award.
Rhone also received The Spirit of Life Award in 2019.
You can read Rhone’s letter to Sony Music employees in full below:
To My Sony Music Family,
It’s been an extraordinary journey: eleven years since my promotion to President of Epic Records and six years since my appointment as Chairwoman and CEO. 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.
And today, I am moving on from this historic role at Epic and I’m very excited about the future.
I’ve always been surrounded by excellent teams, but our current one at Epic is extraordinary. Spanning multiple generations, our team understands music’s history, finds meaning in complex data, and anticipates emerging trends. From Travis Scott, Future and 21 Savage, to Meghan Trainor, Tyla and Madison Beer, Zara Larsson to Giveon and Mariah The Scientist, Q-Tip to Andre 3000 and the late, great Ozzy Osbourne…Epic artists thrive through bespoke campaigns that honor their unique voices and goals. While helping artists maintain authentic fan connections, our team guides them through partnerships in video, fashion, gaming, and content innovation. We’re proud of leading Sony Music’s 2020 “Your Voice, Your Power, Your Vote” campaign and fostering a workplace culture that reflects our values: 62% women and 57% people of color. From day one, we set out to build something special at Epic — and we have.
This moment of my transition invites reflection on a journey that has been wide-ranging in its scope and impact.
Following my graduation from The Wharton School, I started as a secretary at Buddha Records and after working my way up through radio promotions, I was privileged to be appointed SVP of Black Music at Atlantic Records. Those times feel like yesterday, working with Roberta Flack, Donnie Hathaway, En Vogue, LeVert, Brandy, Adina Howard, Troop, DAS EFX, Snow, MC Lyte, Kwamé, Miki Howard, Gerald Albright, The System and Ice Cube’s Lynch Mob and Yo-Yo. Through our Ruthless Records deal, we also released The D.O.C., JJ Fad, Michel’le, and Easy-E.
In July 1994, I was appointed Chairwoman of Elektra Records, where we orchestrated a cultural renaissance that still resonates today. There, we became guardians of musical diversity, nurturing the power of AC/DC and Metallica alongside the genius of Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes. From Pantera’s intensity to Phish’s improvisational spirit, from Tracy Chapman’s truths and Anita Baker’s soul to Tamia’s powerful vocals — each artist flourished on their own frequency. Third Eye Blind, Yolanda Adams, Silk, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Gerald LeVert, Keith Sweat, Natalie Merchant, The Cure, Björk, Staind, Better Than Ezra, The Afghan Whigs, and Jason Mraz all found their home in our musical family, creating moments that transcended mere entertainment.
Then came my chapter at Motown, where the label’s iconic history and its future converged under my leadership as Chairwoman and CEO. It was an honor to record Stevie Wonder’s last full-length studio album while simultaneously collaborating with artists like Nelly, Erykah Badu, Kid Cudi, and Akon. We also extended hip-hop’s global reach by distributing Cash Money Records’ roster — elevating Baby, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, and Drake.
I am blessed to have worked with some of the most brilliant and influential artists in the history of recorded music. And I’ve discovered this: when we channel our strength and creativity in service of a vision, and collaborate with artists who do the same, we create music that reflects our world, questions our assumptions, and uplifts our spirits. This is a kind of magic, a deeply human connection. Right now, when music’s DNA is being reimagined, when artists face existential challenges, and when all of us are building the future in real time, there is little that is more profound.
Looking back on my Epic era fills me with great pride. To my team of creative champions, you now hold the reins, and I know your best work lies ahead. I’m grateful for Zeke Lewis, Rick Sackheim, Sandra Aflorei, Tyler Pittman, John Shoup, Dave Bell, Lisa Kasha, Shannon Mingal, Margeaux Watson, Justin Duran, Chelsea Donnarumma, Brooke Marcimo, Mez Tara, Gina Harrell, Melissa Victor, Traci Adams, Scott Dimig, Dontay Thompson, Jennifer Goicoechea, Patrick Afeku, John Kirkpatrick, Michael Petullo, Max Sholl, Hector Rosario and the countless other executives who made Epic Records home.
I thank my daughter Quinn for her unconditional love and my late parents Marie and Bob Rhone for their heroic support. And I am forever grateful for my prior teammates from over the years. Not only did we work great music, but we also created an amazing network of advocacy and goodwill! Thanks to Rob Stringer for his trust and camaraderie and to Doug Morris for empowering me to shatter the glass ceiling.
I have worked in our industry since vinyl ruled, and women were rarely if ever in line for C-level or even vice-presidential roles. I am proud of my achievements, and of my commitment to those who take inspiration from them. The many individual honors I’ve received — from Billboard, Fortune Magazine’s Most Powerful Women, Essence, Variety, Ms. Magazine’s Woman of the Year, and the recent honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music — serve as grace notes on my years of dedication. But they pale beside what we’ve all built together. They pale beside the glory of our musical culture.
