Sylvia Rhone has announced that she is standing down as Chair and CEO of Sony Music’s Epic Records label in the US. It brings to an end her third stint heading up a major label division, having now done that at all three of the major record companies after becoming the first black woman to chair a major label in the 1990s when working at Warner Music.
She first joined Sony’s Epic label as President in 2014, becoming Chair and CEO in 2019. In a lengthy memo to Sony Music staff, in which she name checks many of the artists she has worked with across her 50 years in the record industry, Rhone doesn’t go into any great detail about her plans beyond Sony, except to say that, following her “historic role at Epic”, she is “very excited about the future”.
Reflecting on her five decades in the music industry, she writes in her memo that “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”, she continues. “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”.
Sony Music boss Rob Stringer sent out his own message to staff announcing Rhone’s departure. Hailing the “trailblazing executive”, he wrote that Rhone has “made history, including becoming the first woman to be named Chair of a major record company, and guided some of the most prominent artists in our business across every genre”.
“As Chairwoman and CEO of our Epic Records”, he added, “she has shepherded number one chart successes with 21 Savage, Future, Travis Scott and Tyla among others. It has been our honour to work with a true icon, and our collective responsibility to continue to build on her work at Epic Records”.
Rhone began her career in 1974 in a secretarial job with indie label Buddah Records, before moving into promotions and then label management roles, ultimately at Warner Music-owned labels.
That’s where she made history by becoming the first black woman to chair a major label division, first East West Records America in 1990 and then the mega division that was the Elektra Entertainment Group - bringing together the Elektra, East West and Sire labels - in 1994.
Ten years later she moved over to Universal Music, where she became Chair of Universal Motown Record Group, and subsequently President of Universal Motown Records. After leaving Universal she set up her own label which then formed a JV with Epic, resulting in her taking the top job at the Sony label, which meant she had now led frontline label divisions at all three of the majors.
“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”, her memo to Sony employees concludes. She then says, “I am proud of my achievements and of my commitment to those who take inspiration from them”.