Black History Month Spotlight: Sylvia Rhone, Executive Behind Nicki Minaj & More | Billboard News

For Black History Month, Billboard is celebrating by highlighting some of the greatest Black executives in music. Today, we’re celebrating Sylvia Rhone.

Sylvia Rhone:

I’m very proud to run a label where our senior leadership is 53.6% women and 57.1% people of color.

Tetris Kelly:

For Black History Month, Billboard is celebrating by highlighting some of the greatest Black executives in music. Today, we’re celebrating Sylvia Rhone.

Sylvia Rhone:

Forty years is a long time in any business. Warner Music Group for 28 years, Universal Motown for seven years, and now Sony Music Group for 10-plus years.

Tetris Kelly:

Sylvia Rhone became the first Black executive and woman to hold the dual title of CEO and Chairman, when she was appointed at Epic Records in 2019. Prior to that, she held senior roles at all three major record companies. In 1990, Sylvia was the first Black woman to head a major record label when she became CEO/President of Atlantic’s East West Records US Division. Always a champion for women, she helped artists like En Vogue, MC Lite, Missy Elliott and Nicki Minaj reach stardom. She was an integral part in the success of all of Young Money.

Sylvia Rhone:

I’m certainly really proud of the artists that I work with and the biggest thrill is to see them be successful.

Tetris Kelly:

Currently at Epic Records, she’s been a key part of the success of Camila Cabello, DJ Khaled, Travis Scott and 21 Savage. Last year, when she took home Executive of the Year at Billboard’s Women in Music, she told us, “I am focused on creating power by creating a culture where the creativity of artists on our roster can flourish and there is an exchange of ideas, culture and information from a diverse group of creatives and executives.”

Sylvia Rhone:

I’m still as excited about the business today as I was over 40 years ago, because it’s simply simply my passion.