Los Angeles, CA – June 1, 2023 – Epic Records today announced the appointment of Ezekiel Lewis to President. He will continue to report to Sylvia Rhone, Epic Records’ Chairwoman and CEO, and to lead the A&R division while helping run the day-to-day operations of the Company.

Lewis has served as the company’s Executive Vice President and Head of A&R since 2020. Throughout his tenure, he has worked with the record label’s new artists and helped develop the careers of Epic’s GRAMMY® Award-winning roster including 21 Savage, BIA, Black Eyed Peas, DDG, Future, GIVEON, Madison Beer, Meghan Trainor, Mimi Webb, Southside, Zara Larsson and more.

In making the announcement, Rhone said, “Having been a hit songwriter and producer for many years, Zeke brings an invaluable understanding of the artist’s creative journey. His knowledge and experience of the inner workings of the music industry give him an immeasurable edge to drive key business conversations, while staying true to his A&R roots.”

Lewis remarked, “The entire Epic Records team embodies what it means to champion artist development in this fast moving industry and I’m excited to help shape its future. I will honor the musical legacy of Epic, our artists, and partners with my most intentional effort. I look forward to continuing our collaboration, with the singular goal of giving the world some of the most incredible and influential music created, to last for generations.”

Prior to joining Epic Records in 2017, Lewis served as Senior Vice President of A&R at Motown Records from 2011. In that role, he worked with leading artists including Ne-Yo, Erykah Badu, Migos, Lil Yachty, T.I., and Rich Homie Quan.

Previously, Mr. Lewis’ credits included co-writing and co-producing artists such as Justin Bieber, Mary J. Blige and Usher. Mr. Lewis also played an instrumental role in the careers of Mariah Carey and Yo Gotti. In 2010, Lewis founded Bar Music Group, a music publishing company responsible for a roster of successful songwriters and producers whose work spanned projects by Chris Brown, Future, Trey Songz and many others.

A musician in his own right since high school, Lewis signed with David Foster’s 143 Records and went on to play a key role in Trey Songz’s successful career.

In 2004, Lewis co-founded The Clutch, a collective of songwriter-producers responsible for hits by Omarion, Ciara, Britney Spears, Timbaland and more.

Across the music industry, Lewis stands out as a Grammy Award-winning songwriter and has been recognized for his leadership and success. Billboard notably included him among its 2023 Power 100 List. He is the recipient of numerous BMI and ASCAP songwriter and publisher awards.

Lewis attended Morehouse College, studying music and film.

Sarah Lockhart Named President

London, 27th April 2023 – Sony Music Entertainment UK has today announced the relaunch of legendary record label Epic Records UK and the appointment of Sarah Lockhart, who has been named President of the label effective from 1st May 2023. Lockhart will report to Jason Iley, Chairman and CEO, Sony Music UK & Ireland. 

Epic Records UK will relaunch as a frontline label, operating alongside other iconic Sony Music labels including RCA, Columbia, and Ministry of Sound, with the ambition to champion global music and British culture. The announcement coincides with the anniversary of Epic Records, who will celebrate 70 years of recorded music in 2023. 

Lockhart joins Epic from Sony Music Publishing, where she served as Head of A&R for three years and signed artists including BRIT Award-winning Aitch, PinkPantheress and D Block Europe.

Lockhart has been at the forefront of youth culture and London’s grassroots music communities for the past two decades. She co-founded East London community radio station Rinse FM, championing emerging artists in the early stages of their careers, and launching artists including Magnetic Man and Katy B. Lockhart successfully campaigned for its radio licence, building it from a pirate station into the recognised brand it is today. She also oversaw its community outreach, empowering and educating diverse and disadvantaged communities with skills and opportunities.

Lockhart spent four years at EMI Music Publishing in the early noughties where she had discovered seminal UK artist Ms Dynamite, Skepta and Benga & Skream. 

Spearheading various brands that have a track record of supporting alternative audiences, Lockhart has consistently stayed at the forefront of music trends. In her early career, her label Tempa Recordings coined the genre name ‘Dubstep’ and her East London dubstep and grime club night FWD>> created a space for new underground music to thrive, inspiring countless artists and creatives of today. Lockhart was also instrumental in the development of UK garage through her work in distribution, where she was one of the key influencers on the evolution of the scene. 

Jason Iley, MBE, Chairman and CEO, Sony Music UK & Ireland says: “I’m confident that Sarah is the right person to relaunch Epic UK and enrich its legacy while protecting its artist-first ethos. Throughout her career Sarah has challenged the norm, pre-empted trends, and supported artists from the very beginning of their careers.”

Sarah Lockhart, President, Epic Records UK says: “The pioneering global artists signed to Epic have inspired me and countless fans for decades. The relaunch of the label in the UK provides a once-in-a-lifetime chance to celebrate Epic’s legacy and build a culture that encourages us to think differently, honouring and supporting artists to create connection through the power of music.”

NEW YORK, March 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Epic Records and Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, announce the second wave of titles in The Jacksons definitive album project. Expanded digital editions (featuring bonus tracks) of the group’s last three Epic studio albums–Triumph (1980), Victory (1984) and 2300 Jackson Street (1989) –will be released Friday, April 30 and available for pre-order starting today. Each album comes with three ‘instant grat’ tracks when preordered.  

As part of the project, an exciting new remix of “Can You Feel It” was created by producer/composer Greg Curtis (engineered by Jon Nettlesbey) and executive produced by John McClain:

Can You Feel It:  The Jacksons X MLK Remix: Greg Curtis kicks off his production with a roaring drum line and bookends the mix with recordings from the late Martin Luther King’s acclaimed 1968 The Drum Major Instinct speech at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. Midway, excerpts from the great Barack Obama’s first inauguration speech inspire.  The production is capped with King’s words, “Free at last, Free at last; Thank God Almighty, Free at last.”  Listen here.    

The Jackson’s definitive album project:
The expanded digital releases of Triumph, Victory and 2300 Jackson Street are available alongside The Jacksons (1976), Goin’ Places (1977) and Destiny (1978), released February 12. The six studio albums recorded by The Jacksons for Epic Records trace the group’s spectacular leap from their Jackson 5 boy band roots to their role as avatars of an R&B/pop revolution (1976-1989). Each title includes the original album in its entirety, bundled with additional bonus tracks and may be ordered here:

https://TheJacksons.lnk.to/TriumphPR
https://TheJacksons.lnk.to/2300JacksonStPR
https://TheJacksons.lnk.to/VictoryPR

A 2LP 12″ vinyl edition of The Jacksons Live! (recorded during their 1981 North American Triumph Tour) will be released on Friday, March 26, and is available for pre-order here.

Click here for more details about Triumph, Victory and 2300 Jackson Street.

SOURCE Legacy Recordings

NEW YORK, March 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Epic Records and Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, announce the second wave of titles in The Jacksons definitive album project. Expanded digital editions (featuring bonus tracks) of the group’s last three Epic studio albums–Triumph (1980), Victory (1984) and 2300 Jackson Street (1989) –will be released Friday, April 30 and available for pre-order starting today. Each album comes with three ‘instant grat’ tracks when preordered.  

As part of the project, an exciting new remix of “Can You Feel It” was created by producer/composer Greg Curtis (engineered by Jon Nettlesbey) and executive produced by John McClain:

Can You Feel It:  The Jacksons X MLK Remix: Greg Curtis kicks off his production with a roaring drum line and bookends the mix with recordings from the late Martin Luther King’s acclaimed 1968 The Drum Major Instinct speech at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. Midway, excerpts from the great Barack Obama’s first inauguration speech inspire.  The production is capped with King’s words, “Free at last, Free at last; Thank God Almighty, Free at last.”  Listen here.    

The Jackson’s definitive album project:
The expanded digital releases of Triumph, Victory and 2300 Jackson Street are available alongside The Jacksons (1976), Goin’ Places (1977) and Destiny (1978), released February 12. The six studio albums recorded by The Jacksons for Epic Records trace the group’s spectacular leap from their Jackson 5 boy band roots to their role as avatars of an R&B/pop revolution (1976-1989). Each title includes the original album in its entirety, bundled with additional bonus tracks and may be ordered here:

https://TheJacksons.lnk.to/TriumphPR
https://TheJacksons.lnk.to/2300JacksonStPR
https://TheJacksons.lnk.to/VictoryPR

A 2LP 12″ vinyl edition of The Jacksons Live! (recorded during their 1981 North American Triumph Tour) will be released on Friday, March 26, and is available for pre-order here.

Click here for more details about Triumph, Victory and 2300 Jackson Street.

SOURCE Legacy Recordings

A GROUNDBREAKING VIRTUAL CONCERT PERFORMANCE FROM MADISON BEER, SONY MUSIC AND VERIZON COMING TO TIKTOK

Dazzling, Special Effects Filled Showcase of Songs from Her Debut Album Life Support Premiering March 19^th

Immersive Reality Music Experience Takes Incredibly Lifelike Visuals to New Heights

NEW YORK – March 18, 2021 – The future of virtual concerts is here. Epic Records singer songwriter Madison Beer is debuting her groundbreaking new immersive reality music experience in its entirety exclusively on TikTok LIVE.

An ultra-realistic digital avatar of Madison so incredibly lifelike she has to be seen to be believed, will perform songs from her debut album, Life Support, in a dazzling, special effects filled showcase premiering on Madison’s TikTok account (@madisonbeer) at 3PM PT/6PM ET on Friday, March 19th.

Brought to you by Sony Music Entertainment, TikTok, and Verizon in partnership with Sony Immersive Music Studios, the Madison Beer Immersive Reality Concert Experience takes place in a full digital recreation of the Sony Hall concert venue in New York City and features a stunning presentation of Madison that reimagines what’s possible for music in virtual spaces. 

The experience is powered by cutting-edge innovations in real-time 3D creation technology and virtual production that highlight the incredible new opportunities for artists to push the boundaries of their imagination and creativity.

Said Beer, “Experimenting with virtual production technologies for this performance was like nothing I’ve ever done before. Exploring new ways of bringing my music to fans was a really fulfilling experience, especially in a time where we can’t physically be together to experience live music.”

Said Sylvia Rhone, Chairwoman and CEO, Epic Records, “Music fans have never seen a virtual concert like this. Madison Beer is transforming the viewing experience with this unique and visually groundbreaking showcase of her innovative vision, and we are thrilled to be helping her share it with the world. Supporting the development of cutting-edge immersive experiences like this is one of the many ways Epic Records works to create differentiated opportunities for our artists to expand their creative options and delight fans.”

Said Corey Sheridan, Head of Music Content & Partnerships, TikTok US,“At TikTok we are proud to drive the cultural conversation and support artists providing the kind of communal, interactive music moments that we’ve all sorely missed during the pandemic, and Madison Beer’s virtual experience is as close to being at a concert as you can get from the safety of your own home.”

Life Support is a candid, audacious and sonically eclectic statement from a self-made star who refuses to play by pop’s usual rules. It sees Madison where she thrives – commanding creative control through writing her own songs, producing and creating her own visuals. 

Expressing and inspiring a rollercoaster of emotions through spellbinding vocals over a broad-ranging sound-bed reflective of Madison’s own diverse musical tastes, Life Support is experimental, honest and ardent. The album explores mental health, the dizzying highs and rock-bottom lows of toxic relationships and the atypical life that Madison has led since famously being discovered on YouTube at age 12.

Get it here via Epic Records.

With over 14 million followers, Madison Beer is an active member of the TikTok community, amassing more than 1.5 billion views on her videos that engage with loyal fans who and share new music.

Join us on March 19 at 3PM PT/6PM PT live on TikTok as we celebrate the premiere of this spectacular performance with special trivia, a behind the scenes interview with Madison, and more.

For more on the technology innovations powering Madison Beer’s performance visit Boundless by Sony, and for all the latest on Madison follow here:

Website
Twitter
Instagram
Facebook

Listen to Madison Beer’s latest single “BOYSHIT” available here on all music services via Epic Records.

Groundbreaking Virtual Performance to Showcase Songs from Singer Songwriter’s Highly Anticipated Epic Records Debut Album, Life Support

NEW YORK — JANUARY 11, 2021 — Singer songwriter Madison Beer is teaming up with Sony Music Entertainment and Verizon to put fans in the front row for a groundbreaking virtual concert experience that reimagines live performance for on-demand viewing across digital platforms in incredibly lifelike immersive reality.

Madison will perform an exclusive medley of songs from her highly anticipated Epic Records debut album, Life Support, as an ultra-realistic virtual avatar in an upcoming new showcase powered by cutting-edge innovations in real-time 3D creation technology.

The immersive experience will take place in a meticulous recreation of the Sony Hall concert venue in New York City and will feature dazzling special effects that capture Madison Beer’s artistic vision in full. The set will include an electrifying performance of her latest single “BOYSH*T” that highlights the new opportunities for artists to push the boundaries of their imagination and creativity within virtual spaces.

Fans will be able to view the Madison Beer Immersive Reality Concert Experience on PlayStation VR and Oculus VR, and as a captivating immersive 2D experience, which will be broadly available on streaming music video channels. It is set to debut later this winter.

“The process of putting this performance together is like nothing I’ve ever done before,” said Beer. “I love creating visuals, so it was really exciting for me to get involved in the process and make something special for my fans. We’re all disappointed we can’t go out and experience these songs on tour together, so creating a performance like this one feels like a true gift.”

Said Sylvia Rhone, Chairwoman and CEO, Epic Records, “Madison Beer is raising the bar of what’s possible in a virtual concert performance and we couldn’t be more excited. With this cutting-edge collaboration of music and technology, Madison has brought her innovative vision to life in a unique way while taking it to new heights. This is another example of Epic’s commitment to empower our artists with groundbreaking opportunities to expand their creative options and engage fans through immersive experiences.”

Said Dennis Kooker, President, Global Digital Business and U.S. Sales, Sony Music Entertainment, “We are pleased to be partnering with Verizon to bring Madison Beer’s groundbreaking immersive performance to fans across a range of streaming and VR platforms.  This is a forward-looking, incredibly lifelike experience that brings a new dimension to Madison’s artistry and highlights the capabilities of these innovative formats which bring fans closer to the music than ever before.”

“New technologies only become real for consumers through groundbreaking performances like this one,” said Erin McPherson, Head of Consumer Content and Partnerships at Verizon. “Madison Beer is one of the most exciting young performers today, and her willingness to disrupt is a glimpse into the future of creativity and engagement in music. As interactive performances continue to evolve, Madison Beer and Sony will stand as a milestone in the development of new, immersive experiences for consumers, powered by Verizon.”     

Sony Immersive Music Studios, a new subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America focused on developing immersive music experiences through the power of creativity and technology, is partnering with Sony Music and Verizon to support the development of the immersive experience.

Sony Music and Verizon previewed the new Madison Beer experience today as part of Sony Corp’s Media Day presentation at the all-digital CES 2021. A first look at behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the concert, along with special interviews with Madison and the team bringing this dynamic experience to life is available at square.sony.com.

For the latest updates on Madison Beer and the upcoming immersive concert experience, follow Madison here:

Website
Twitter
Instagram
Facebook

Listen to Madison Beer’s latest single “BOYSH*T” available HERE on all music services via Epic Records.

For further information: Corporate Communications Department
Sony Corporation
[email protected]

For further information: Corporate Communications Department Sony Corporation [email protected]

For further information: Epic Records: Melissa Victor // 310.272.2419, [email protected]; Imprint PR: Nicole Perna // 424.369.4199, [email protected]; Brett Ruttenberg // 424.369.4201, [email protected]

For further information: Epic Records: Melissa Victor // 310.272.2419, [email protected]; Imprint PR: Nicole Perna // 424.369.4199, [email protected]; Brett Ruttenberg // 424.369.4201, [email protected]