Trailblazing label boss leaves after six years, capping a career of barrier-breaking signings and artist-first leadership.
Sylvia Rhone, one of the most influential executives in modern music, is stepping down as chair and CEO of Epic Records, ending a storied run that began when she was promoted to the label’s top job in 2019.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, The move, confirmed by people familiar with the matter, closes a chapter on a career that helped shape hip-hop, pop and R&B across multiple decades.
In an internal memo described as part reflection and part farewell, Rhone called her time at Epic “an extraordinary journey.” She pointed to the label’s multi-generational roster and the tailored campaigns Epic created for artists ranging from Travis Scott, 21 Savage and Future to Meghan Trainor, Madison Beer, Camila Cabello and newer names like Tyla and Giveon. “Epic artists thrive through bespoke campaigns that honor their unique voices and goals,” she wrote, highlighting the label’s mix of historic knowledge and modern data-driven strategy.
Rhone’s departure carries symbolic weight. She was long celebrated as a trailblazer — the first woman and the first Black woman to serve as CEO of a major record label — and until now, the only woman holding a CEO title among the major labels.
Industry observers have speculated for years about when she might step down, given her long tenure in executive roles and the changing dynamics of the music business. No successor has been named.
Before joining Sony, Rhone led Elektra Entertainment Group at Warner and served as president of Universal Motown, where she worked with icons like Stevie Wonder and Erykah Badu and helped shepherd relationships with acts tied to Cash Money Records.
Over the years she’s been recognized across the industry for both her commercial instincts and her commitment to artist development.
Sony Music Group chairman Rob Stringer, who appointed Rhone to the Epic helm in 2019, paid tribute in his own note, calling her “a true icon” and emphasizing her ability to adapt across eras. “Her journey is more than just a list of accomplishments,” Stringer wrote, commending Rhone’s “unwavering commitment to supporting artists” and urging the company to continue building on what she established.
In her memo, Rhone thanked colleagues, mentors and family members — including her late parents and her daughter — and reflected on how far the industry has come since she began her career “when vinyl ruled.”
She noted honors from Billboard, Fortune, Essence and other institutions, and framed those accolades as secondary to the work and culture she helped nurture.
With her exit, the music industry loses a visible symbol of breakthrough leadership. For many artists and executives, Rhone represented a path forward — proof that long careers, bold signings and a mix of artistic faith and strategic savvy could change the business.
As Epic looks to the next chapter, the label and its artists will be watched closely to see who steps into the leadership role and how they carry Rhone’s legacy into the future.
Read Rhone’s full memo in The Hollywood Reporter