Ezekiel Lewis Named Chairman/CEO of Epic Records

Epic Records announced the appointment of Ezekiel “Zeke” Lewis as its new chairman and CEO on March 30. Lewis, who had served as president of the label since 2023, takes over from the legendary Sylvia Rhone. Rhone stepped down last September after an 11-year run.

Lewis has been at Epic since 2018, initially as executive VP and head of A&R under Rhone. During this time, he contributed to the success of major label artists such as Tyla, Travis Scott, Future, Giveon, 21 Savage, Madison Beer, and Zara Larsson, among others.

Since Rhone stepped down six months ago, Lewis had been co-running Epic alongside general manager Rick Sackheim.

Rob Stringer, chairman of Sony Music Group, stated that Lewis is eminently qualified to lead the label, highlighting his experience and knowledge in a senior creative capacity at Epic over the last eight years. Stringer expressed his pleasure at Lewis' internal promotion and the respect and trust he has earned from artists and Sony Music staff.

Lewis expressed his gratitude and humility for the trust placed in him to lead Epic Records, emphasizing that music always centers on the artist, their vision, and their story. His primary goal is to make Epic the best home for recording artists worldwide, offering a space where creators are genuinely seen, supported, and set up to thrive.

Prior to his time at Epic, Lewis was senior VP of A&R at Motown, where he collaborated with Quality Control Music to support artists like Migos and Lil Baby, as well as Ciara, Erykah Badu, and Lil Yachty, among others.

He is also the founder of music publisher The Bar Group and co-founder of the songwriter/producer collective The Clutch. As a writer, he has worked on songs by Justin Bieber, Usher, and Britney Spears, among others.

Epic finished 2025 with a 1.57% current market share, ranking 11th among record labels, and a 2.43% overall market share.

These figures represent a decrease compared to the 2.59% current share and 2.67% overall share at the end of 2024. This change reflects the challenges and the constantly evolving dynamics of the music industry, as well as the impact of the new strategies and leadership implemented in the company.

Lewis' leadership transition and new approaches will be critical in determining the future of Epic Records in the competitive music landscape.