Sylvia Rhone is often hailed as the most influential female executive in the history of the music business, and when you take a look at her impressive résumé, it’s not hard to see why. She has held executive positions at all of the big three record companies—Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Sony Music Entertainment—and she was the first Black woman to ever lead a major record label. *Cue shattering glass ceiling.*
In fact, her decades-long career has been filled with glass-ceiling-shattering firsts. In 1990, she became the first Black woman to take the helm of a major record company when she was named CEO and president of Atlantic's EastWest Records America division. In 1994, she made music industry history again as the first woman to ever hold the dual-title of CEO and chairman when she went on to the Elektra Entertainment Group. Then, in 2014 she was the first woman to receive the Music Business Association's prestigious Presidential Award for Sustained Achievement.
Fast forward to 2021, a time when just 21% of popular artists are women, 12% are songwriters, and only 2% are producers, it’s reassuring to know that Rhone is at the top advocating for change and pushing the industry forward. In an interview with Variety, she expressed her optimism for the future of the industry. “Black culture and women around the globe are finding their voices like never before,” Rhone told the publication. “It’s a watershed moment.”
Throughout her career, Rhone has been an advocate for female artists. While she was at the helm of Elektra Entertainment Group, she was responsible for guiding Missy Elliot to the top of the charts. At Universal Motown Records, she added India.Arie, Erykah Badu, and Nicki Minaj to the label’s roster. Now, at Epic, she’s empowering female artists by the likes of Camila Cabello and Meghan Trainor to take on the male-dominated charts, one hit at a time.
In short, prepare to upgrade your Spotify account because this music industry legend is just getting started.
