Sylvia Rhone, one of the most respected leaders in the music industry, is leaving her role as chair and CEO of Epic Records.
Her departure takes effect at the end of this month, marking the close of a historic run at the label and another milestone in her five-decade career.
Rhone’s leadership at Epic has been marked by numerous standout moments. In 2024, the label made history when Future earned three No. 1 albums within six months, tying a record only The Beatles had previously achieved. Epic also placed three artists in the Top 10 of the US albums chart on two different occasions during her tenure.
She helped deliver major projects from Travis Scott, Tyla, and 21 Savage while continuing to support an eclectic roster that includes Ozzy Osbourne, Andre 3000, Zara Larson, and Meghan Trainor.
In a note to her colleagues, Rhone reflected on what her time at Epic meant to her.
“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.”
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Her story stretches far beyond Epic Records. She started her career as a secretary at Buddha Records and worked her way up through radio promotions. She later became senior vice president of Black Music at Atlantic Records, where she worked with Roberta Flack, Donnie Hathaway, En Vogue, MC Lyte, and Ice Cube’s Lynch Mob. By the mid-1990s, she became the first Black woman to lead a label owned by a Fortune 500 company when she was appointed chairman and CEO of Elektra Entertainment Group.
At Elektra, she oversaw a roster that showcased both heavy rock acts like Metallica and AC/DC and groundbreaking hip hop artists like Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes. She later served as CEO of Motown, where she worked with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Nelly, and Erykah Badu. At Universal Motown, she helped expand Cash Money’s influence, bringing success to Drake, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, and Kid Cudi.
Sony Music chairman Rob Stringer praised her impact in his farewell message.
“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. 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,” Stringer stated.
Rhone has been recognized with dozens of awards, including the prestigious City of Hope Spirit of Life Award in 2019. She also changed the culture of the companies she led by creating more opportunities for women and people of color. At Epic, over 62% of staff were women and 57% were people of color under her leadership.
Looking back on her career, Rhone wrote, “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.”
She also reflected on the barriers she broke and the importance of her legacy.
“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.”
From Atlantic to Elektra, from Motown to Epic, Sylvia Rhone has continually redefined what leadership looks like in the music business.
