AceShowbiz - Ezekiel Lewis has been appointed as the new chairman and CEO of Epic Records, the label announced on March 30, 2025. Lewis, who served as president of Epic Records since 2023, succeeds Sylvia Rhone, a legendary figure who stepped down from the role last September after leading the label for 11 years.

Lewis has been with Epic since 2018, initially joining as executive vice president and head of A&R under Rhone. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of some of the label’s top artists, including Tyla, Travis Scott, Future, Giveon, 21 Savage, Madison Beer, and Zara Larsson. Since Rhone’s departure six months ago, Lewis had been co-managing Epic alongside general manager Rick Sackheim.

In a statement, Sony Music Group chairman Rob Stringer expressed confidence in Lewis’s leadership abilities, saying, “Through his experience and knowledge in a senior creative capacity at Epic over the last eight years, Zeke is eminently qualified to take the label forward as its leader.” Stringer also highlighted the value of promoting an internal candidate, noting that Lewis is highly respected and trusted by both artists and staff at Sony Music. He added that he looks forward to collaborating with Lewis and his team to amplify the musical vision of Epic Records.

Lewis responded to the announcement with humility and a strong commitment to the label’s mission. He said, “I am truly humbled by the trust Rob has placed in me to lead this incredible label. Music has always been about the artist, their vision, their voice, their story. Everything we build here starts and ends with that belief.” He emphasized his goal to make Epic Records the best home for recording artists worldwide, especially in today’s digital-first environment filled with distractions. Lewis stated that Epic aims to provide creators with a rare and valuable place where they are genuinely seen, supported, and set up to thrive.

Before his time at Epic, Lewis held the position of senior vice president of A&R at Motown. There, he worked closely with Quality Control Music to support prominent artists such as Migos and Lil Baby. His work also involved collaborations with Ciara, Erykah Badu, and Lil Yachty. Additionally, he is the founder of the music publisher The Bar Group and co-founder of the songwriter/producer collective The Clutch. As a songwriter, his credits include tracks for major artists like Justin Bieber, Usher, and Britney Spears.

In terms of market performance, Epic Records concluded 2025 with a current market share of 1.57%, ranking 11th among music labels. Its overall market share stood at 2.43%, a decline from the previous year’s figures of 2.59% current share and 2.67% overall share at the end of 2024.

Lewis’s elevation to chairman and CEO signals a new chapter for Epic Records as it navigates an evolving music industry landscape. His extensive experience within the label and creative expertise position him to lead the company forward while maintaining a strong focus on artist development and creative vision.