By Gail Mitchell,

• Sylvia Rhone has been named president of Epic Records. The appointment comes a year after Rhone launched Vested in Culture (VIC), her joint venture with Epic. VIC will remain an imprint of the label.

Rhone will report to Epic chairman/CEO Antonio “L.A.” Reid and help him supervise the overall management and operations of Epic. In announcing Rhone’s new appointment today, Reid stated, “Having worked closely with Sylvia Rhone, I’ve witnessed firsthand how she shares a passion for an artists-first culture. I look forward with genuine enthusiasm to the next chapter of Epic Records.”

Added Rhone, “I’m honored to have the opportunity to expand my relationship with the talented team and amazing artists at Epic. What makes this opportunity different from any other is my partnership with renowned music executive L.A. Reid. I’m looking forward to what I think will be the finest chapter in my career.”

Rhone served as president of Universal Motown Records before joining Epic in 2013. Before Motown, the legendary industry executive was chairman/CEO of Elektra Entertainment Group. Her VIC roster includes electronic soul duo Quadron, Latin pop artist Kat Dahlia and rapper Casey Veggies.

Reid’s former No. 2 at Epic was COO Mark Shimmel, who exited last January. A Great Big World, Fifth Harmony, Future, OutKast, Tamar Braxton and Michael Jackson are among the acts comprising the Epic roster.

She is the perfect combo with La. Reid! Prince is in good hands now!!

Congrats to Sylvia. She's been grinding for a minute. I guess we'll soon see what they'll cook up together.

Sylvia was amazing at Elektra! Also, I enjoyed the push the Badu albums got on Motown during her tenure.

LA Reid also signed Ciara in 2011, promising to return her to mainstream success. In the end, her debut album on Epic was a massive flop. I'm going to remain skeptical here.

No good will come of this.

Identity said:

LA Reid also signed Ciara in 2011, promising to return her to mainstream success. In the end, her debut album on Epic was a massive flop. I'm going to remain skeptical here.

Some peeps aren't meant to be pop superstars. Ciara messed up her image long before Epic! When she changed her "crunk" image and tried to emulate Janet by hiring her "ex" choreographer Tina Landon.

Identity said:

LA Reid also signed Ciara in 2011, promising to return her to mainstream success. In the end, her debut album on Epic was a massive flop. I'm going to remain skeptical here.

Epic just signed Prince. *AWKWARD PAUSE*

She goes from being a CEO/Chairwoman to merely being a president? That's kinda...wrong. Oh well. L.A. Reid needs all the help he can get. If she's successful, then maybe she can take his position. Reid's tenure at Epic thus far has been horrid.

Metallica's, En Vogue's & Mötley Crüe favorite person.

whnat did she do to them?

Artesian said:

Reid's tenure at Epic thus far has been horrid.

The truth. He's desperate to turn things around. Given Epic's current extremely lacklucker roster and performance record I was actually surprised Prince would think to turn to them.

lezama said:

Artesian said:

Reid's tenure at Epic thus far has been horrid.

The truth. He's desperate to turn things around. Given Epic's current extremely lacklucker roster and performance record I was actually surprised Prince would think to turn to them.

-

LA probably handed Prince a huge payday/partnership and promises of promotions like he did Whitney. Can you think of anymore P's?

MickyDolenz said:

Metallica's, En Vogue's & Mötley Crüe AND Busta Rhymes' favorite person.

There, THAT'S^ more like it! Remember, Busta's career at Elektra/Warner Bros ended after Sylvia gave up fighting with the Warner exces on Busta's behalf.

Busta is unrecognizable today....

[Edited 3/22/14 9:18am]

Cinny said:

Epic just signed Prince. *AWKWARD PAUSE*

Prince is not signed to EPIC, its a licensing/distrubtion deal just like Rave (Arista/BMG), Musicology(Columbia/SONY) and 3121 (Universal)

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Busta is unrecognizable today....

[Edited 3/22/14 9:18am]

That's beside the point. Busta's career was never the same after he and Syliva Rhone went their separate ways. Busta's 2 albums run at Clive Davis' J Records was disappointing and Busta's one and only album at Dr.Dre's Aftermath Entertainment was NEVER completed.

[Edited 3/22/14 11:42am]

Oh, WOW! She was at Elektra, if I'm not mistaken, during the late 90's early 00's and Executive Produced Yolanda Adams' "Mountain High...Valley Low" and "Believe" CD's. Perhaps she'll aid in bringin' REAL R&B back 2 the masses who cherish it. We can only hope.

TonyVanDam said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Busta is unrecognizable today....

[Edited 3/22/14 9:18am]

That's beside the point. Busta's career was never the same after he and Syliva Rhone went their separate ways. Busta's 2 albums run at Clive Davis' J Records was disappointing and Busta's one and only album at Dr.Dre's Aftermath Entertainment was NEVER completed.

[Edited 3/22/14 11:42am]

Its a lot of rappers during Busta's glory years not revelant anymore...The beautiful,gifted,multi talented,rapper,producer,writer,singer,dancer Missy Elliot hasn't had an album out in YEARS! She was one of Elektra's TOP artist under Sylvia's guidance. Plus That album Busta did under Dr.Dre's Aftermath Entertainment is one of MANY projects Dr.Dre abandoned in his career,including his own!!

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

By Gail Mitchell,

• Sylvia Rhone has been named president of Epic Records. The appointment comes a year after Rhone launched Vested in Culture (VIC), her joint venture with Epic. VIC will remain an imprint of the label.

Rhone will report to Epic chairman/CEO Antonio “L.A.” Reid and help him supervise the overall management and operations of Epic. In announcing Rhone’s new appointment today, Reid stated, “Having worked closely with Sylvia Rhone, I’ve witnessed firsthand how she shares a passion for an artists-first culture. I look forward with genuine enthusiasm to the next chapter of Epic Records.”

Added Rhone, “I’m honored to have the opportunity to expand my relationship with the talented team and amazing artists at Epic. What makes this opportunity different from any other is my partnership with renowned music executive L.A. Reid. I’m looking forward to what I think will be the finest chapter in my career.”

Rhone served as president of Universal Motown Records before joining Epic in 2013. Before Motown, the legendary industry executive was chairman/CEO of Elektra Entertainment Group. Her VIC roster includes electronic soul duo Quadron, Latin pop artist Kat Dahlia and rapper Casey Veggies.

Reid’s former No. 2 at Epic was COO Mark Shimmel, who exited last January. A Great Big World, Fifth Harmony, Future, OutKast, Tamar Braxton and Michael Jackson are among the acts comprising the Epic roster.

She is the perfect combo with La. Reid! Prince is in good hands now!!

Not too thrilled about this, but whatever.

getxxxx said:

Cinny said:

Epic just signed Prince. *AWKWARD PAUSE*

Prince is not signed to EPIC, its a licensing/distrubtion deal just like Rave (Arista/BMG), Musicology(Columbia/SONY) and 3121 (Universal)

I wonder...are there any more major labels that Prince can go to next? He keeps hopping around from one label to the next.I wonder why he doesn't try to secure a long term distribution deal?

SoulAlive said:

getxxxx said:

Prince is not signed to EPIC, its a licensing/distrubtion deal just like Rave (Arista/BMG), Musicology(Columbia/SONY) and 3121 (Universal)

I wonder...are there any more major labels that Prince can go to next? He keeps hopping around from one label to the next.I wonder why he doesn't try to secure a long term distribution deal?

Prince is againsr longterm CONtracts....

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

SoulAlive said:

I wonder...are there any more major labels that Prince can go to next? He keeps hopping around from one label to the next.I wonder why he doesn't try to secure a long term distribution deal?

Prince is againsr longterm CONtracts....

but what's the alternative...hopping from one label to the next,everytime he wants to release a new album? if Epic does a good job with his new album,why not just stick with them?

SoulAlive said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Prince is againsr longterm CONtracts....

but what's the alternative...hopping from one label to the next,everytime he wants to release a new album? if Epic does a good job with his new album,why not just stick with them?

I guess it depends if they want to give him TOTAL control of his masters. Most labels aren't down for that in the longterm agreement. Only in one-off shortterms. I'm pretty sure Prince is fed up in constantly having to jump from label to label. Which is why he hasn't released an album in a long time,breaking his one album a year record. So instead he is helping new artist with theirs instead. Its the price he has to pay for being an independent artist. Can Beyonce say that??? How much is she losing in her longterm agreement? Does she own her masters? I seriously doubt it!! She is being pimped and whored out like a prostitute.

He could make the new album available digitally via the 3rd Eye Girl site, and ship physical copies directly to fans. Surely he has the wherewithal to do it. Why can't he invest in the right team of professionals and make this happen?

Here's how this story will play out;

*

1. She will only last 8-12 months at EPIC.

2. She will make no impact whatsoever and what little success she will achieve, L.A. will take all the credit.

3. Tension now the ranks, she will be released from her position for no apparent reason.

4. EPIC/Sony will still honor her million dollar contract and she will spend most of her time at her home on Martha's Vineyard, plotting her next move will she is still getting PAID , and the artists & industry will continue to suffer.

5. Fail up again.

*

End of story. No disrepect to Rhone.

*

*

[Edited 3/23/14 9:03am]

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

SoulAlive said:

but what's the alternative...hopping from one label to the next,everytime he wants to release a new album? if Epic does a good job with his new album,why not just stick with them?

I guess it depends if they want to give him TOTAL control of his masters. Most labels aren't down for that in the longterm agreement. Only in one-off shortterms. I'm pretty sure Prince is fed up in constantly having to jump from label to label. Which is why he hasn't released an album in a long time,breaking his one album a year record. So instead he is helping new artist with theirs instead. Its the price he has to pay for being an independent artist. Can Beyonce say that??? How much is she losing in her longterm agreement? Does she own her masters? I seriously doubt it!! She is being pimped and whored out like a prostitute.

Can Rihanna say that? Best believe Beyonce has more leverage and control over her music and how it's handled than Rihanna does.

In reality, Sony doesn't control Beyonce very much. She decides when she's going to record, what direction her music will be taking, who she's working with and the singles choices. They offer their input/opinion, but from the sounds of it Beyonce has veto rights over their say and half the time they don't seem to know what's going on with Beyonce until after she clues them in. They were largely out of the loop while she recorded that secret album, with only a few people having a vague idea of what was going on. So "being pimped and whore out like a prostitute" is inaccurate.

Now, again, Rihanna...talk about a real whore. By day she's picking Roc Nations cotton and by night, she's being pimped out by Def Jam.

[Edited 3/24/14 8:34am]

Artesian said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

I guess it depends if they want to give him TOTAL control of his masters. Most labels aren't down for that in the longterm agreement. Only in one-off shortterms. I'm pretty sure Prince is fed up in constantly having to jump from label to label. Which is why he hasn't released an album in a long time,breaking his one album a year record. So instead he is helping new artist with theirs instead. Its the price he has to pay for being an independent artist. Can Beyonce say that??? How much is she losing in her longterm agreement? Does she own her masters? I seriously doubt it!! She is being pimped and whored out like a prostitute.

Can Rihanna say that? Best believe Beyonce has more leverage and control over her music and how it's handled than Rihanna does.

In reality, Sony doesn't control Beyonce very much. She decides when she's going to record, what direction her music will be taking, who she's working with and the singles choices. They offer their input/opinion, but from the sounds of it Beyonce has veto rights over their say and half the time they don't seem to know what's going on with Beyonce until after she clues them in. They were largely out of the loop while she recorded that secret album, with only a few people having a vague idea of what was going on. So "being pimped and whore out like a prostitute" is inaccurate.

Now, again, Rihanna...talk about a real whore. By day she's picking Roc Nations cotton and by night, she's being pimped out by Def Jam.

[Edited 3/24/14 8:34am]

Apparently ! You don't know the muziq industry that well. She is under CONtract with Sony. She is obligated to put out & deliver a certain amount of albums. They do NOT have to accept them either. They have more say so than you think! Which secret album are you refering to? She 'supposedly" recorded more than one in her period at Sony. That they "supposedly" didn't know about. She may control her "image". But she in no way shape or form controls when her albums are coming out or how thye sound. Like they want you to believe. Beyonce is NOT an independent artist. She does NOT dictate when her albums are being released . SONY does.

Rihanna is irrelevant.

Horrifying. She destroyed one of the biggest Female Groups in music history

SoulAlive said:

getxxxx said:

Prince is not signed to EPIC, its a licensing/distrubtion deal just like Rave (Arista/BMG), Musicology(Columbia/SONY) and 3121 (Universal)

I wonder...are there any more major labels that Prince can go to next? He keeps hopping around from one label to the next.I wonder why he doesn't try to secure a long term distribution deal?

That's what the Kobalt deal was supposed to be. Read the press release:

http://www.kobaltmusic.co...?id=WN1161

That doesn't sound like a one-off deal, it looked like he had finally settled on a home for all his various projects (solo albums, side projects, protege acts, etc.) for the first time since the Paisley/WB days. But it seems he walked away from the deal because he didn't like the lack of bonuses, advances and other such incentives (based on some comments Funkenberry made on a Spreecast). Also he's complained in recent interviews about not being on the radio and perhaps he realized that can only happen with a major.

how did she destroy en vogue?