Ezekiel Lewis Named Epic Records Chairman-CEO

Sony Music Group has elevated Ezekiel "Zeke" Lewis to the position of Chairman and CEO of its storied Epic Records label. The promotion, announced Monday, sees Lewis moving up from his role as President, a position he has held since 2023. He will now report directly to Sony Music Group Chairman Rob Stringer. This leadership transition fills a vacancy created by the exit of industry veteran Sylvia Rhone late last year; since her departure, Lewis and General Manager Rick Sackheim had been overseeing the label's day-to-day affairs.

Lewis is a Grammy-recognized songwriter and producer whose career trajectory is deeply rooted in artist development. He first arrived at Epic Records in 2018 as Executive Vice President of A&R—the department crucial for discovering and nurturing new talent. His work there has involved key collaborations with a wide-ranging artist roster that includes Travis Scott, Future, and the recent Grammy winner Tyla. Prior to Epic, Lewis held a senior A&R role at the iconic Motown Records, where his portfolio spanned from established acts like Ne-Yo and Erykah Badu to newer stars such as Migos. His foundational industry experience was built co-creating chart successes for major artists including Justin Bieber and Usher.

In a released statement, Lewis outlined his artist-centric philosophy for the label's next chapter. "I am profoundly honored by the confidence Rob Stringer has shown in me to guide this legendary imprint," Lewis stated. "Our core mission is to serve the artist's vision and narrative above all else." He further emphasized the label's role in a fragmented media environment, noting the imperative to "provide a genuine sanctuary for creators—a space dedicated to cutting through the digital clutter with focused support." Industry observers view this internal appointment as a stabilizing move for Epic Records, a label with a historic roster ranging from Michael Jackson to Shakira. Promoting a proven creative executive like Lewis is widely interpreted as a strategy to preserve institutional knowledge and maintain strong artist relationships during a period of intense industry competition.

Sony Music Group Chairman Rob Stringer underscored the strategic value of promoting from within the company's ranks. "Zeke's eight years of senior creative leadership at Epic make him uniquely qualified to steer the label forward," Stringer said. "This appointment is particularly gratifying as it reflects the growth of an internal executive who has earned the deep trust of both artists and colleagues across Sony Music." This internal succession model is often favored to ensure continuity and morale. Stringer added that he looks forward to partnering with Lewis to "amplify the musical vision of Epic Records on a global scale."

The move comes as major record labels increasingly prioritize executives with hands-on creative and A&R backgrounds to navigate the challenges of streaming and artist discovery. Epic Records, founded in 1953, has been a powerhouse label for decades but faces the constant pressure to identify and break new talent in a saturated market. Lewis's deep roots in production and songwriting—a less common path to a top label CEO role—may provide a distinct advantage in artist relations and repertoire strategy, areas critical for long-term success.