A true industry veteran, Sylvia Rhone is a force in the music business who's earned her success over 30+ years of experience. As president of Universal/Motown, she leads a giant powerhouse. Starting in music in 1974, Rhone became the first African-American woman to head a major record company in 1991 when she become president/CEO of Eastwest Records. "That sexist 'good ol’ boy' school of thought will go the way of the dinosaur," Rhone has said about women in high places in the music industry. "It’ll take us a few years to accomplish it, but hey, I’m up for the fight. And so are a lot of other women."
Today, Rhone is both President of Universal/Motown and executive VP for Universal Records, and was named one of Crain's 100 Most Influential Women in NYC Business. Rhone's even become a style icon, with her fashion sense being praised by magazines like Ebony and Essence.
Rhone has taken an active role in the guidance of young stars like Kid Cudi and in shepherding veterans like Nelly and Kelly Rowland, who are poised for chart returns.
"African-Americans can not only create music, but control it as well," she once told Black Enterprise. "The world is watching us."
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A true industry veteran, Sylvia Rhone is a force in the music business who's earned her success over 30+ years of experience. As president of Universal/Motown, she leads a giant powerhouse. Starting in music in 1974, Rhone became the first African-American woman to head a major record company in 1991 when she become president/CEO of Eastwest Records. "That sexist 'good ol’ boy' school of thought will go the way of the dinosaur," Rhone has said about women in high places in the music industry. "It’ll take us a few years to accomplish it, but hey, I’m up for the fight. And so are a lot of other women." 
