Trailblazing US industry executive Sylvia Rhone is stepping down from her role as chair & CEO of Epic Records.
Rhone’s departure, effective at the end of the month, was announced in memos to staff at Sony Music, which Music Week has seen.
Rhone has held senior positions at all three major record companies over three decades, 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.
The industry veteran was appointed CEO & chairman of Epic in 2019. Prior to that elevation, she had been president of Epic since 2017.
The label placed three artists simultaneously in the Top 10 of the US albums chart twice during her tenure, and most recently (in 2024) tied a record for an artist-driven act held only by The Beatles by landing three Future albums at No.1 in a six-month time period.
She has helped to guide multiple artists to major success at Epic, including Tyla’s breakout debut album, Travis Scott’s fourth No.1 album, 21 Savage’s fourth No.1 album, and a line-up of established and rising stars, including Andre 3000, Meghan Trainor, Zara Larson, Madison Beer, Real Boston Richey and Ozzy Osbourne, among others.
In a memo to Sony Music’s global staff, 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.
“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.”
He added: “It has been our honour to work with a true icon and [it is] our collective responsibility to continue to build on her work at Epic Records. Thank you, Sylvia, for your leadership and inspiration.”
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
Rob Stringer
In her memo, Sylvia Rhone said: “It’s been an extraordinary journey: 11 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.”
She also reflected on her early career, as a secretary at Buddha Records and working her way up through radio promotions, resulting in the appointment as SVP of Black Music at Atlantic Records. At the label, she worked 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.
As chairwoman of Elektra from the mid-’90s for a decade, Rhone and her team “became guardians of musical diversity, nurturing the power of AC/DC and Metallica alongside the genius of Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes”.
As chairwoman and CEO at Motown, she said it was “an honour to record Stevie Wonder’s last full-length studio album” while simultaneously collaborating with artists like Nelly, Erykah Badu, Kid Cud, and Akon.
“I am blessed to have worked with some of the most brilliant and influential artists in the history of recorded music,” she wrote. “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,” she added, thanking a roll-call of colleagues.
Rhone also applauded Rob Stringer for his “trust and camaraderie” and 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,” she wrote. “I am proud of my achievements, and of my commitment to those who take inspiration from them.”
Rhone has been credited for championing female hip-hop trailblazers throughout her career, including the first female rapper to ever release a full-length solo album, MC Lyte. She also played a key role in the careers of groundbreaking artists such as Missy Elliott, Rah Digga, Yo-Yo and Nicki Minaj.
I am proud of my achievements, and of my commitment to those who take inspiration from them
Sylvia Rhone
Rhone has received more than three dozen honours and awards in her five-decade career. In 2019, she achieved the music industry business/philanthropic honour, the City Of Hope’s prestigious Spirit Of Life Award.
Rhone helped pioneer equitable promotion practices that increased minority and female representation and created a gender-balanced, racially diverse environment. The staff at Epic are more than 62% women and 57% people of colour.
Prior to Epic, Rhone was chairman of Vested In Culture (VIC), a joint venture with Sony Music Entertainment dedicated to establishing cutting-edge brands spanning music, digital, film, TV and fashion.
In 2004, Rhone was named president of Universal Motown Records, executive vice president of Universal Records, and chair of Universal Motown Record Group. Rhone revitalised the roster, as well as broadening hip-hop imprint Cash Money’s impact. Under her leadership, successful acts included Lil Wayne, Drake, Kid Cudi, Akon, Kelly Rowland, Nicki Minaj and others.
Prior to Universal, Rhone was at Warner Music, where she was appointed chairman/CEO of Elektra Entertainment Group in 1994. She was the first Black woman to be named chairman of a label owned by a Fortune 500 company.
During her decade-long tenure, the company had success with artists including Missy Elliott, Gerald Levert, Metallica, Tracy Chapman, AC/DC, Pantera, Third Eye Blind, Natalie Merchant, Jason Mraz, Busta Rhymes and Fabulous, among others.
Before that promotion, she had been CEO/president of Atlantic's EastWest Records US for four years. Rhone was the first Black woman to head a major record company. She was a driving force at Atlantic Records in the 1980s and ‘90s, reinvigorating the label’s roster of Black music.
Click here to read Music Week's 2024 Tyla cover feature including our interview with Sylvia Rhone.
PHOTO: Leon Bennett/Getty Images for The Connie Orlando Foundation
