Sylvia Rhone

Sylvia Rhone
Born	(1952-03-11) March 11, 1952 (age 73) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Alma mater	Wharton School (B.S.)
Occupation	Music executive

Sylvia Rhone (born March 11, 1952) is an American music industry executive. She served as chairwoman and chief executive officer of Epic Records from 2019 to 2025. ^{[1] [2]}

Earlier in her career Rhone held executive positions at Atlantic Records, Elektra Entertainment Group, and Universal Motown Records. She became the first African American woman to head a major record company when she was appointed chair and CEO of EastWest Records in 1990. ^[3]

Early life and education

Rhone was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and raised in Harlem, New York. ^[3] She has cited her early exposure to R&B performances at the Apollo Theater as an influence on her interest in music. Artists she has mentioned as early influences include Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Jimi Hendrix, and Janis Joplin. ^[4]

Rhone attended the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics. ^[3]

Career

Early career

After graduating from college Rhone worked at Bankers Trust in New York City. She later entered the music industry as a secretary at Buddha Records in 1974. Over the following years she held positions at ABC Records and Ariola Records.

In 1980 Rhone joined the Elektra organization as a northeast regional promotion manager for special markets. She later moved to Atlantic Records where she became director of national black music marketing.

Atlantic Records

At Atlantic Records Rhone held roles in A&R and marketing. In 1986 she was promoted to senior vice president and general manager of the label.

Artists associated with Atlantic during this period included En Vogue, Levert, MC Lyte, Chuckii Booker, Miki Howard, Gerald Albright, and the Rude Boys. In 1988 Billboard ranked Atlantic as the leading black music division in the industry. ^[5]

In 1990 Rhone was appointed chair and CEO of EastWest Records, becoming the first African American woman to lead a major record company. When the EastWest roster and operations were combined with those of Atco Records, she became chairwoman and CEO of Atco/EastWest and later EastWest Records America.

Artists associated with EastWest during this period included En Vogue, Gerald Levert, Pantera, and Das EFX. Rhone also worked with artists including AC/DC and Simply Red as part of the broader Elektra Entertainment Group structure.

In 1993 she was named by Ebony as one of the top emerging Black executives in the entertainment industry.

Elektra Entertainment Group

In 1994 Rhone was appointed chairwoman and CEO of the Elektra Entertainment Group by Warner Music Group chairman Doug Morris. ^[6]

During her tenure Elektra merged with EastWest and Sire Records to form a major label group within Warner Music.

Artists associated with Elektra during this period included Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, Tracy Chapman, Yolanda Adams, Metallica, Natalie Merchant, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Fabolous, Jason Mraz, and Third Eye Blind. ^[7]

Motown and Universal Motown

In 2004 Rhone was appointed president of Motown Records and executive vice president of Universal Records. ^[8]

In 2006 the Universal label structure was reorganized into Universal Republic Records and Universal Motown Records, with Rhone serving as president of Universal Motown.

Artists associated with Motown during this period included Akon, India.Arie, Erykah Badu, Lil Wayne, and Chamillionaire. Rhone stepped down from the position in 2011. ^[9]

Vested in Culture and Epic Records

In 2012 Rhone founded the label Vested in Culture, which operated through a distribution partnership with Epic Records. ^[10]

In 2014 she was appointed president of Epic Records. ^[11]

In 2019 Rhone was promoted to chair and CEO of the label. ^[12]

During her tenure at Epic the label released recordings by artists including Travis Scott, Future, and 21 Savage.

Rhone stepped down as chair and CEO of Epic Records in September 2025. ^[13]

Honors and awards

Rhone was ranked No. 35 on Billboard's annual Power 100 list in 2019. ^[14] She appeared at No. 29 in 2025. ^[15]

In 2019 Rhone received the City of Hope Spirit of Life Award. ^[16]

She received the Midem Hall of Fame Award in 2019 and an honorary doctorate from the Berklee College of Music the same year. ^[17]

Rhone serves on the board of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

References

1. "Sylvia Rhone Promoted to Chairman & CEO of Epic Records". Variety. April 23, 2019.
2. Millman, Ethan (2025-09-22). "Sylvia Rhone Steps Down From Epic Records (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
3. Contemporary Black Biography, Volume 2. Gale Research. 1992.
4. "How Sylvia Rhone Became Sony Music's Most Powerful African-American Woman". Billboard.
5. "Black Executives Quietly Rising in Music Industry". Los Angeles Times. 1991-12-28.
6. Hofmeister, Sallie (1994-07-20). "Company News; Warner Music Group Names Chairwoman for New Unit". The New York Times.
7. "Elektra Makes Offer for Bad Boy Label". Los Angeles Times. 2002-07-30.
8. Gallo, Phil (October 4, 2004). "Music Maven Finds Groove at Motown". Daily Variety.
9. "Ethiopia Habtemariam upped at Motown". Variety. August 10, 2011.
10. Halperin, Shirley (2013-02-14). "Sylvia Rhone on New Label and Undoing 'Old-School Models'". The Hollywood Reporter.
11. "Sylvia Rhone Appointed President of Epic Records". The Hollywood Reporter. March 19, 2014.
12. "Sylvia Rhone Promoted to Chairman & CEO of Epic Records". Variety. April 23, 2019.
13. Millman, Ethan (2025-09-22). "Sylvia Rhone Steps Down From Epic Records (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
14. "Billboard's 2019 Power 100 List Revealed". Billboard.
15. DiGiacomo, Frank (2025-01-27). "Billboard 2025 Power 100 List Revealed". Billboard.
16. "City of Hope gala: Sylvia Rhone receives honors". Los Angeles Times. 2019-10-11.
17. "Sylvia Rhone". Berklee.