L.A. Reid


L.A. Reid Biography(Courtesy Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)


Antonio M. "L.A." Reid (born June 7, 1956) is an American record executive, songwriter, and record producer. Best known as the co-founder of LaFace Records, he is responsible for helping bring Mariah Carey, Avril Lavigne, Pink, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Kanye West, Toni Braxton, Kerli, TLC, Usher, Ne-Yo, Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, Ciara, OutKast, and Dido to multi-platinum album sales. He has won three Grammy Awards.

He is the President and chief executive of Hitco Music Publishing, based in Atlanta, and was the chairman and chief executive officer of Island Def Jam Music Group until 2011, when he signed up to appear as a judge on the 2011 U.S. version of The X Factor. He returned to the television show for the 2012 season, but in December 2012 announced he would not be back for the show's third season.

Reid is currently the Chairman and CEO of Epic Records.

Career

Reid's first appearance on record was with Cincinnati funk rock outfit Pure Essence who released one solitary 45 in the middle 1969s well as garnering an appearance on local FM rock radio station WEBN's second annual LP compilation, this time as Essence. Reid then became a member of the 1980s R&B band The Deele, best known for their 1988 hit "Two Occasions", a song on the remake by LA Production and Recording Studio Music Intersection. The band had broken up before the success of the single, then reunited to promote "Two Occasions" as it rose up the charts under Dick Griffey's Solar Records (Sound of Los Angeles). The song peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.

1989"2004: LaFace Records and Arista years

After The Deele disbanded, Reid and band mate Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds founded LaFace in 1989 through a joint venture with Arista Records, with funding from Arista Records creator Clive Davis. The label soon became one of the premiere destinations for popular African-American entertainers who created Black Pop music that was easily accessible to both Urban and Top 40 radio formats. Reid signed 14 year old Usher to the label, whose six album releases have sold 65 million units worldwide. Other popular acts on the label during its peak include Toni Braxton, TLC, and Outkast. Initially headquartered in Atlanta, the label played a role in building the current landscape of the Atlanta music industry.

In May 2000, Edmonds and Reid sold their remaining 50% stake in LaFace to parent company BMG. The label became an imprint of Arista Records, with Arista taking on sales, marketing, and promotional duties for its acts. At this time, Reid also succeeded his mentor Clive Davis as President of Arista Records. This happened after Davis refused to name a successor at the request of Arista parent company, BMG, due to the fact that Davis, who was 67, was beyond the company's mandatory retirement age. Davis went on to find success creating another BMG imprint named J Records, which signed global superstars such as Alicia Keys, Luther Vandross and Rod Stewart. Reid then took a six week executive course at the Harvard Business School in order to prepare himself to become CEO and President of Arista.

"The most vital lesson [Reid has] learned from 22 years working at record companies? "That you keep the doors open and the lights on and a star will walk in," he says. "I learned to stay in business. People are still buying music, dancing to it and dressing like it. They're using it to sell cars and CoverGirl makeup, so we sell product lines with our artists. The popularity of music is at an all-time high. How we monetize it is sometimes a moving target." "

"? LA Reid, regarding the challenge in marketing current music artists, as quoted in the Hollywood Reporter, Feb. 9, 2011.
As President of Arista Records, Reid brought the company great success by signing artists such as P!nk, Ciara and Avril Lavigne, whose debut album Let Go sold 6 million copies in the United States. Under Reid's tenure at Arista, Usher (whom Reid originally signed at LaFace) completed production on his multi-platinum hit 2004 album Confessions, which went on to spawn 4 #1 hit singles and sell 10 million copies in the United States alone. Outkast's Speakerboxx/Lovebelow also went on to sell 10 million copies and won a Grammy Award for Album of the year.

2004"2011: Island Def Jam Music Group

Following the merger of Sony and BMG, L.A. Reid was released from his contract at Arista in 2004 and quickly became the Chairman and CEO of The Island Def Jam Music Group in February 2004. Reid is noted for bringing Mariah Carey's career back to prominence with her multi-platinum 2005 album The Emancipation Of Mimi after her career had stalled from 2001-2003 with less than stellar sales and general lack of public interest for her two previous projects Glitter and Charmbracelet.

Reid has also played a role in the recent successes of artists such as Amerie, Kanye West, Rihanna (alongside Jay-Z), Bon Jovi, and most recently teenage pop phenomenon Justin Bieber . In the last few years, L.A. Reid has also been responsible for the recent high profile signings of major Pop music artists such as Janet Jackson (who left the company after her 2008 album, Discipline), Utada (who also left the company in 2010), as well as former Bad Boy rapper Shyne to the record company. However, in 2006, Reid's label dropped Lady Gaga three months after signing her. This would eventually be the inspiration of Gaga's Marry The Night video. Reid stepped down as CEO and Chairman of Def Jam in March 2011.

2011"present: The X Factor and Epic Records

Reid became a judge on the U.S. version of the British singing competition The X Factor, alongside its creator and former American Idol judge Simon Cowell, 80s pop star Paula Abdul and former Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger (who replaced British pop star Cheryl Cole). In July 2011, Reid became the Chairman and CEO of Epic Records which also includes various former Jive Records artists.

Reid was assigned the Boys category throughout the competition, which was announced to him by phone whilst working in New York City, New York. He was aided by friend and singer Rihanna at the Judges' Houses stage of the competition in The Hamptons. His final four acts were Marcus Canty, Chris Rene, Astro and Phillip Lomax. Lomax was eliminated on week one of the Live Shows, with Astro being eliminated on week six. Marcus Canty came fourth in the competition and was eliminated by the public vote in the semi-final (week eight). Chris Rene was Reid's most successful act who came third overall in the competition, bested by Josh Krajcik (who was mentored by Nicole Scherzinger) in second place and Melanie Amaro (mentored by Simon Cowell) who won the show. After the season has ended, Reid is now working with Astro, Marcus Canty and Chris Rene on their music careers.

In September 2012, Reid returned to The X Factor along with Simon Cowell. Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul were axed from the panel, along with Season 1 host Steve Jones. Joining the judging panel are new judges Britney Spears and Demi Lovato. Reid is mentoring the "over 25's", which he was initially unhappy about, but has come around to accepting the idea. British X Factor judge Louis Walsh filled in for a sick Simon Cowell at the season two auditions in Kansas City. Mario Lopez and Khloe Kardashian joined as co-hosts of the live shows. Reid announced that he would be leaving the X-Factor after Season 2, stating, "I have a company to run that I've kind of neglected. I have a huge responsibility to a roster of artists and it's kind of time for me to stop doing the ?me' show." Reid had his team of finalists in the "over 25's" including Tate Stevens, the winner of the season.

Other ventures

With the belief that good songwriting is essential to the success of recording artists, Reid formed the Hitco Publishing Group in 1996, as a joint venture with Windswept Music. While starting up Hitco, Reid was looking to connect to a wholly new market of producers and songwriters and talent spotted the young Shakir Stewart whom he saw as someone with a "a finger on the pulse of the next generation of hot producers in the Atlanta music scene". He gave the future senior vice president of Island Def Jam Music Group his first position as an inter-level creative person at Hitco.

In 2008, Reid joined the advisory board of the cosmetics line named Le Métier de Beauté, which is sold at upscale retailers such as Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus.

Awards/Accolades

On August 30, 2006, L.A. Reid, along with Babyface, was honored as a BMI Icon at the 6th annual BMI Urban Awards. As of 2006, he has won 18 BMI awards. Together with Babyface, Reid has produced and/or co-written penning numerous R&B hits, racking up 33 No. 1 singles.

Reid will be honored with the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences' President's Merit Award at the Grammy salute to Industry Icons celebration on February 9, 2013, the day prior to the 55th Grammy Awards.

Discography

  • 1984: Street Beat - The Deele - Drums, Vocals (Background)
  • 1985: Material Thangz - The Deele - Percussion, Drums, Producer, Programming
  • 1986: Lovers " Babyface - Mixing, Producer, Composer
  • 1988: Don't Be Cruel - Bobby Brown - Producer
  • 1988: Karyn White - Karyn White - Vocals (Background), Drums, Producer, Percussion
  • 1988: Pebbles " Pebbles - Producer, Vocals (Background), Musician
  • 1988: Forever Your Girl - Paula Abdul - Producer, Percussion Programming, Drums, Composer
  • 1989: Lover in Me - Sheena Easton - Producer, Percussion, Drums, Mixing, Composer
  • 1989: Tender Lover " Babyface - Percussion, Stylist, Executive Producer, Producer, Drums, Composer
  • 1989: After 7 - After 7 - Technical Assistance, Producer, Programming, Mixing, Drums, Percussion, Executive Producer
  • 1990: Always " Pebbles - Vocal Arrangement, Executive Producer, Rhythm Arrangements, Drums, Remixing, Mixing, Percussion, Vocals (Background), Composer, Producer
  • 1990: Boys - The Boys - Mixing
  • 1990: Dance!...Ya Know It! - Bobby Brown - Remixing, Producer, Composer
  • 1990: I'm Your Baby Tonight - Whitney Houston - Percussion, Mixing, Rhythm Arrangements, Drums, Vocal Arrangement, Producer, Rhythm, Vocals, Arranger
  • 1990: Johnny Gill [1990] - Johnny Gill - Drums, Producer, Executive Producer, Mixing, Percussion
  • 1990: Shut Up and Dance: Dance Mixes - Paula Abdul - Producer
  • 1991: Damian Dame - Damian Dame - Producer, Percussion, Vocal Arrangement, Drums, Reissue Producer, Executive Producer, Mixing, Rhythm Arrangements
  • 1991: MTV Party to Go, Vol. 1 - Various Artists - Producer
  • 1991: Cooleyhighharmony - Boyz II Men - Composer, Producer
  • 1991: Bobby Brown - Bobby Brown - Composer
  • 1992: Arthur Siegel Sings Arthur Siegel - Arthur Siegel - Composer
  • 1992: Bobby - Bobby Brown - Instrumental, Producer, Composer
  • 1992: Bodyguard - Original Soundtrack - Producer, Composer
  • 1992: Takin' My Time - After 7 - Drums
  • 1992: You Said - Jermaine Jackson - Programming, Drum Programming, Mixing, Executive Producer, Remixing, Producer, Percussion
  • 1992: Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip " TLC - Executive Producer, Drums, Percussion, Mixing, Composer
  • 1992: Boomerang - Original Soundtrack - Executive Producer, Producer, Percussion, Composer, Drums
  • 1992: 1746DCGA30035 - Highland Place Mobsters - Executive Producer, Producer
  • 1992: Humpin' Around - Bobby Brown - Composer
  • 1993: Queen of the Night - Whitney Houston - Producer
  • 1993: Remixes N the Key of B - Bobby Brown - Producer, Remixing
  • 1993: Provocative - Johnny Gill - Producer, Drums
  • 1993: Poetic Justice - Original Soundtrack - Producer
  • 1993: Hootie Mack - Bell Biv DeVoe - Multi Instruments, Producer
  • 1993: Toni Braxton - Toni Braxton - Producer, Executive Producer, Drums, Mixing
  • 1993: Toni Braxton [Bonus Track] - Toni Braxton - Drums, Mixing, Composer, Producer
  • 1993: For the Cool in You " Babyface - Producer, Drums
  • 1993: LaFace Family Christmas [Arista] - La Face Artists - Producer, Drums, Drum Programming, Executive Producer
  • 1994: When Can I See You Again " Babyface - Producer
  • 1994: 30th Anniversary Anthology - The Whispers - Producer
  • 1994: Tribute to Curtis Mayfield [Warner Bros.] - Various Artists - Mixing, Percussion, Producer, Drums
  • 1994: Greatest Hits (1980-1994) - Aretha Franklin - Drum Programming, Producer
  • 1994: Greatest Hits - The Deele - Composer
  • 1994: Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik " OutKast - Executive Producer
  • 1994: II - Boyz II Men - Producer
  • 1994: Usher " Usher - Executive Producer
  • 1994: Ultimate Dance Hits '94 - Various Artists - Remixing, Executive Producer, Producer
  • 1994: CrazySexyCool " TLC - Executive Producer
  • 1995: Many Ways - Usher Raymond - Executive Producer
  • 1995: Take a Dip - A Few Good Men - Drum Programming, Executive Producer, Mixing, Drums, Percussion
  • 1995: Brainchild - Society of Soul - Executive Producer
  • 1995: Words - Tony Rich - Producer
  • 1995: Soul Food - Goodie Mob - Executive Producer
  • 1996: In the Hood - Donell Jones - Executive Producer
  • 1996: Knocks Me Off My Feet [#1] - Donell Jones - Executive Producer
  • 1996: Knocks Me Off My Feet [#2] - Donell Jones - Executive Producer
  • 1996: Last Night [US #2] - Az Yet - Executive Producer
  • 1996: My Heart - Donell Jones - Executive Producer
  • 1996: Rhythm of the Games: 1996 Olympic Games Album - Various Artists - Executive Producer
  • 1996: Secrets - Toni Braxton - Vocal Arrangement, Executive Producer, Vocal Arrangement
  • 1996: You're Makin' Me High [US] - Toni Braxton - Executive Producer
  • 1996: ATLiens " OutKast - Executive Producer
  • 1996: Az Yet - Az Yet - Executive Producer
  • 1996: Un-Break My Heart - Toni Braxton - Vocal Arrangement, Executive Producer
  • 1997: After 12, Before 6 - Sam Salter - Executive Producer
  • 1997: Ultimate Rock Collection Gold and Platinum, Vol. 6: 1989-1995 - Various Artists - Composer
  • 1997: 1997 Grammy Nominees - Various Artists - Vocal Arrangement
  • 1997: For You - Kenny Lattimore - Composer
  • 1997: Very Best of After 7 - After 7 - Producer, Remixing
  • 1997: I Don't Want To [#1] - Toni Braxton - Executive Producer
  • 1997: What About Us [#1] " Total - Executive Producer
  • 1997: My Way " Usher - Executive Producer
  • 1997: Nice & Slow [#1] " Usher - Executive Producer
  • 1997: It's on Tonight - Sam Salter - Executive Producer
  • 1997: Favorites - Johnny Gill - Producer, Drums, Composer, Mixing, Percussion
  • 1997: Songbook, Vol. 1: The Songs of Babyface - The Whispers - Composer
  • 1997: We're Not Making Love No More - Dru Hill - Executive Producer
  • 1998: They Don't Dance No Mo' - Goodie Mob - Executive Producer
  • 1998: Nice & Slow [#2] " Usher - Executive Producer
  • 1998: Hymns - Corey Glover - Executive Producer
  • 1998: Still Standing - Goodie Mob - Executive Producer
  • 1998: Birdseye - Tony Rich - Executive Producer
  • 1999: FanMail " TLC - Executive Producer
  • 1999: Shanice " Shanice - Executive Producer
  • 1999: Live " Usher - Executive Producer, Composer
  • 1999: Crown Royal - Run-D.M.C. - Executive Producer
  • 1999: R&B: From Doo Wop to Hip Hop - Various Artists - Producer
  • 1999: Ultimate Grammy Box: From the Recording Academy's Collection - Various Artists - Producer
  • 2000: Can't Take Me Home - P!nk - Producer
  • 2000: Greatest Hits - Whitney Houston - Producer, Composer
  • 2000: Greatest Hits " Pebbles - Composer, Drums, Percussion
  • 2000: Heat - Toni Braxton - Producer
  • 2000: Shaft [2000] - Original Soundtrack - Producer
  • 2000: Best of Bell Biv DeVoe - Bell Biv DeVoe - Producer
  • 2000: Greatest Hits - Paula Abdul - Composer
  • 2000: Spanish Guitar [Import CD #1] - Toni Braxton - Producer
  • 2000: Collection of His Greatest Hits " Babyface - Drums, Drum Programming, Percussion, Producer
  • 2000: Could I Have This Kiss Forever [Australia CD] - Whitney Houston - Producer
  • 2000: Platinum Christmas - Various Artists - Producer
  • 2000: Platinum Collection [La Face] - Various Artists - Executive Producer, Vocal Arrangement
  • 2000: Soul Food - Original TV Soundtrack - Executive Producer
  • 2001: Love Songs " Babyface - Drums, Producer, Percussion
  • 2001: Supernova - Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes - Executive Producer
  • 2001: Face2Face " Babyface - Executive Producer
  • 2001: Weekend - Kenny Lattimore - Executive Producer, Composer
  • 2001: Snowflakes - Toni Braxton - Drums, Producer, Executive Producer
  • 2001: Even in Darkness - Dungeon Family - Executive Producer
  • 2001: So Blu - Blu Cantrell - Executive Producer
  • 2001: Love, Whitney - Whitney Houston - Executive Producer, Vocal Arrangement, Producer
  • 2001: M!ssundaztood - P!nk - Executive Producer
  • 2001: Big Boi and Dre Present...Outkast " OutKast - Executive Producer
  • 2001: Bridget Jones's Diary, Vol. 2 - Various Artists - Producer, Executive Producer
  • 2002: Cee-Lo Green and His Perfect Imperfections - Cee-Lo Green - Executive Producer
  • 2002: Ultimate Collection - Johnny Gill - Producer
  • 2002: Don't Let Me Get Me [Australia CD] - P!nk - Executive Producer
  • 2002: Let Go - Avril Lavigne - Executive Producer
  • 2002: Life Goes On - Donell Jones - Executive Producer
  • 2002: Full Circle - Boyz II Men - Executive Producer
  • 2002: Left of Self-Centered - Butch Walker - Executive Producer
  • 2002: Complicated - Avril Lavigne - Executive Producer
  • 2002: Last Night [US #1] - Az Yet - Executive Producer
  • 2002: Whatchulookinat - Whitney Houston - Executive Producer
  • 2002: 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: Motown 1980s, Vol. 2 - Various Artists - Producer, Composer
  • 2002: Paradise - Kenny G - Executive Producer
  • 2002: 3D " TLC - Executive Producer
  • 2002: Girl Talk " TLC - Executive Producer
  • 2002: Game of Love [Australia CD] " Santana - Executive Producer
  • 2002: Wishes: A Holiday Album - Kenny G - Executive Producer
  • 2002: More Than a Woman - Toni Braxton - Executive Producer
  • 2002: Family Portrait - P!nk - Executive Producer
  • 2002: Just Whitney - Whitney Houston - Executive Producer
  • 2003: Things That Lovers Do - Kenny Lattimore - Executive Producer
  • 2003: My So-Called Life - From Zero - Executive Producer
  • 2003: Essential Babyface " Babyface - Producer, Percussion, Drums
  • 2003: Ultimate Kenny G - Kenny G - Executive Producer
  • 2003: So Damn Happy - Aretha Franklin - Executive Producer
  • 2003: Speakerboxxx/The Love Below " OutKast - Executive Producer
  • 2003: Ultimate Toni Braxton - Toni Braxton - Live Mixing, Producer, Composer
  • 2003: Try This - P!nk - Executive Producer
  • 2003: Best of After 7 - After 7 - Composer
  • 2004: The Greatest Hits of TLC " TLC - Compilation Producer, Audio Production
  • 2004: Confessions [Special Edition] " Usher - Executive Producer
  • 2005: Pleasure & Pain " 112 - Executive Producer
  • 2005: Breathe Again: Toni Braxton at Her Best - Toni Braxton - Composer
  • 2005: 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Bobby Brown - Bobby Brown - Producer, Composer, Audio Production
  • 2005: Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 - Young Jeezy - Executive Producer
  • 2005: I'll Make Love to You - Boyz II Men - Producer, Composer
  • 2005: Best of Soul Love: Luther Vandross/Marvin Gaye - Various Artists - Composer
  • 2005: 20th Century Masters - The DVD Collection: The Best of Bobby Brown - Bobby Brown - Composer, Producer
  • 2005: Other Side of Cool " Babyface - Remixing, Composer
  • 2005: The Emancipation of Mimi - Mariah Carey - Executive Producer
  • 2006: Definitive Collection - Bobby Brown - Composer, Producer
  • 2006: Gold - Gladys Knight - Composer
  • 2006: Collection [3 Disc] - Toni Braxton - Vocal Arrangement, Producer
  • 2006: Ultimate Collection " Shalamar - Producer, Composer
  • 2006: Coming Home - Lionel Richie - Executive Producer
  • 2006: Bobby - Original Soundtrack - Audio Production, Producer
  • 2006: Kingdom Come - Jay-Z - Executive Producer
  • 2007: Essential Toni Braxton - Toni Braxton - Composer, Producer
  • 2007: I Am - Chrisette Michele - Audio Production, Executive Producer
  • 2007: Ultimate Collection - Whitney Houston - Producer
  • 2007: American Gangster - Jay-Z - Executive Producer
  • 2007: Super Hits - The Jackson 5 - Composer, Producer
  • 2007: Song for You: Live - Whitney Houston - Composer
  • 2008: Super Hits " Babyface - Producer, Composer
  • 2008: E=MC2 - Mariah Carey - Executive Producer
  • 2008: Year of the Gentleman - Ne-Yo - Executive Producer
  • 2008: Nas " Nas - Executive Producer, Audio Production
  • 2008: Recession - Young Jeezy - Executive Producer
  • 2008: Tender Lover/For the Cool in You " Babyface - Percussion, Drums, Stylist, Producer, Composer
  • 2009: From the Heart " Babyface - Producer
  • 2009: This Is the One - Utada - Executive Producer
  • 2009: Can You Feel It: The Jacksons Collection - The Jackson 5 - Composer
  • 2009: Gold - Bobby Brown - Producer, Remixing
  • 2009: Just Go - Lionel Richie - Executive Producer
  • 2009: Whitney Houston Smooth Jazz Tribute - Various Artists - Composer
  • 2009: In Love & War - Amerie - Executive Producer
  • 2009: Live from the Royal Albert Hall - The Killers - Executive Producer
  • 2009: My World - Justin Bieber - Executive Producer
  • 2009: Rated R " Rihanna - Executive Producer
  • 2010: My World 2.0 - Justin Bieber - Executive Producer
  • 2010: Loud - Rihanna - Executive Producer
  • 2010: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy - Kanye West - Executive Producer
  • 2010: Libra Scale " Ne-Yo - Executive Producer
  • 2011: Love? - Jennifer Lopez - Executive Producer
  • 2012: One Woman Army - Ciara - Executive Producer


This biography article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.It uses material from the Wikipedia article "L.A. Reid". Reality TV World is not responsible for any errors or omissions this article may contain.



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