she said at the time<\/a>. \u201cIf we\u2019re not careful to curate really closely, it will start to dilute the importance of what we built since the \u201880s, and what they just discovered in 2018. \u2026 I started in hip-hop in the early and mid \u201880s \u2014 it was from my heart and the people working around you, and now it\u2019s an analytical decision. This is an important turning point.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\tIn an internal memo to Epic staff seen by Rolling Stone<\/em>, Rhone wrote, \u201cI am blessed to have worked with some of the most brilliant and influential artists in the history of recorded music. And I\u2019ve 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\tRhone\u2019s long and distinguished career in the music business began in 1974, when she landed a secretary job at Buddha Records (where Gladys Knight and the Pips emerged as a major act). In 1986, Rhone became vice president of Atlantic; four years later, she was named CEO and president of the company\u2019s EastWest label, making her the first Black woman to head a major record company. There, she worked with artists from En Vogue and Gerald Levert to Dream Theater and the Rembrandts.<\/p>\n\n\n
\t\tEditor\u2019s picks<\/p>\n<\/h2>\n<\/section>\n
\n\tIn 1994, Rhone was named chair and CEO of the Elektra Entertainment Group, where she worked with Elliott, Busta Rhymes, and many more. \u201cFrom Pantera\u2019s intensity to Phish\u2019s improvisational spirit, from Tracy Chapman\u2019s truths and Anita Baker\u2019s soul to Tamia\u2019s powerful vocals \u2014 each artist flourished on their own frequency. Third Eye Blind, Yolanda Adams, Silk, Ol\u2019 Dirty Bastard, Gerald LeVert, Keith Sweat, Natalie Merchant, the Cure, Bj\u00f6rk, Staind, Better Than Ezra, the Afghan Whigs, and Jason Mraz all found their home in our musical family, creating moments that transcended mere entertainment,\u201d Rhone wrote in a note that encapsulated the wide range of her music interests and accomplishments. Her tenure at Elektra was also marked by a public dispute with M\u00f6tley Cr\u00fce, chronicled in The Dirt<\/em>, in which the band fought \u2014 and succeeded \u2014 to retain their master rights.<\/p>\n\n\tRhone then ascended to president of Universal Motown and followed that role by becoming chairman of the Universal Motown Records group, where, thanks to a deal with Cash Money, she fostered a new generation of hip-hop artists, including Lil Wayne, Drake, and Nicki Minaj. Rhone later moved over to Epic, first as president and then CEO. As Rhone wrote to her staff, \u201cFrom 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 \u2026 Epic artists thrive through bespoke campaigns that honor their unique voices and goals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n
\t\tRelated Content<\/p>\n<\/h2>\n<\/section>\n
\n\tIn 2019, Rhone received an honorary doctorate from the Berklee College of Music for her achievements in the business. \u201cHer journey is more than just a list of accomplishments,\u201d wrote Sony Music Group chairman Rob Stringer in a note to employees obtained by Rolling Stone<\/em>. \u201cIn an industry defined by its constant evolution, Sylvia has adapted and embraced change, time and time again. She is a trailblazing executive with a distinguished background and unwavering commitment to supporting artists.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\tRead Rhone\u2019s note in its entirety below:<\/p>\n
\n\tTo My Sony Music Family,<\/p>\n
\n\tIt\u2019s 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\u2019ve been the first woman and first Black person to serve as CEO of a major record label owned by a Fortune 500 company.<\/p>\n
\n\tAnd today, I am moving on from this historic role at Epic and I\u2019m very excited about the future.<\/p>\n
\n\tI\u2019ve always been surrounded by excellent teams, but our current one at Epic is extraordinary. Spanning multiple generations, our team understands music\u2019s 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\u2026Epic 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\u2019re proud of leading Sony Music\u2019s 2020 \u201cYour Voice, Your Power, Your Vote\u201d 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 \u2014 and we have.<\/p>\n
\n\tThis moment of my transition invites reflection on a journey that has been wide-ranging in its scope and impact.<\/p>\n
\n\tFollowing 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, Kwam\u00e9, Miki Howard, Gerald Albright, The System and Ice Cube\u2019s Lynch Mob and Yo-Yo. Through our Ruthless Records deal, we also released The D.O.C., JJ Fad, Michel\u2019le, and Easy-E.<\/p>\n
\n\tIn 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\u2019s intensity to Phish\u2019s improvisational spirit, from Tracy Chapman\u2019s truths and Anita Baker\u2019s soul to Tamia\u2019s powerful vocals \u2014 each artist flourished on their own frequency. Third Eye Blind, Yolanda Adams, Silk, Ol\u2019 Dirty Bastard, Gerald LeVert, Keith Sweat, Natalie Merchant, The Cure, Bj\u00f6rk, Staind, Better Than Ezra, The Afghan Whigs, and Jason Mraz all found their home in our musical family, creating moments that transcended mere entertainment.<\/p>\n
\n\tThen came my chapter at Motown, where the label\u2019s iconic history and its future converged under my leadership as Chairwoman and CEO. It was an honor to record Stevie Wonder\u2019s last full-length studio album while simultaneously collaborating with artists like Nelly, Erykah Badu, Kid Cudi, and Akon. We also extended hip-hop\u2019s global reach by distributing Cash Money Records\u2019 roster \u2014 elevating Baby, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, and Drake.<\/p>\n
\n\tI am blessed to have worked with some of the most brilliant and influential artists in the history of recorded music. And I\u2019ve 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\n\tLooking 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\u2019m 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.<\/p>\n
\n\tI 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.<\/p>\n\n\n
\t\tTrending Stories<\/p>\n<\/h2>\n<\/section>\n
\n\tI 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\u2019ve received \u2014 from Billboard, Fortune Magazine\u2019s Most Powerful Women, Essence, Variety, Ms. Magazine\u2019s Woman of the Year, and the recent honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music \u2014 serve as grace notes on my years of dedication. But they pale beside what we\u2019ve all built together. They pale beside the glory of our musical culture. <\/p>\n
\n\tOnward and upward,
Sylvia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
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