Cyrus Langhorne
Miami producer DJ Khaled is ready to boss up. The hip-hop heavyweight reportedly has his eyes on music mogul L.A. Reid‘s recently vacated Epic Records position.
According to reports, Khaled is ready to run the Epic empire after stints in prestigious roles like Def Jam South president.
“He was petitioning to get that job. He’s like, ‘I make more happen than anyone in the game, why would I not be considered to run the label?’ ” an industry insider told us of the DJ and producer. Sources further said that Sony CEO Rob Stringer may have axed Reid because he’s a diva: “The girl thing was just one more piece to the problem. That’s been going on for decades. He doesn’t have a superstar roster to spend what he spends and be the diva that he is. Stringer wasn’t having it. He wants to put his own people in and clean a lot of baggage out.” (Page Six)
Last week, details surfaced about Reid’s alleged sexual harassment accusations while running Epic Records.
But the attorney’s letter points out that on multiple occasions, the assistant had complained to her immediate supervisor about Reid’s misconduct, but the supervisor offered no direction or solution for what had occurred, according to a source who has seen the letter. She also complained to another high-ranking Epic executive about the harassment, and in response, she was told: “Before you say anything more, think about what that means for you. Just think about what it means.” (Billboard)
A day prior, details emerged about Reid’s recent Epic Records exit possibly being related to the sexual harassment accusation.
The 60-year old music industry veteran allegedly made inappropriate physical advances toward an assistant at last December’s company holiday party, among other instances, according to a March 22 letter a lawyer for the woman sent to Julie Swidler, Sony Music’s General Counsel, said a source who provided details from the letter. The female assistant, whose name The Post is withholding, also claims Reid, who has led Epic for nearly six years, also asked her to lie down in bed with him and give him a hug while the two were at a hotel while traveling on business, the letter alleges. (New York Post)
Earlier this month, buzz developed about Reid’s untimely Epic Records exit.
Antonio Marquis “L.A.” Reid is leaving his post as chairman of Epic Records, Variety has learned. The veteran executive joined the Sony Music label in July 2011. During his six-year run, Reid signed such hit acts as Meghan Trainor, Future, Travis Scott, Fifth Harmony, and DJ Khaled, the latter of whom currently has the No. 1 song in the U.S. with “I’m the One.” He also brought Mariah Carey back into the Sony fold, after having signed the singer at his previous position as chief executive of Island Def Jam. It is unclear what Reid’s next move will be, though he is an executive producer on the scripted drama “Cotton Club.” (Variety)
