Photo Credit: Epic Records
Epic Records has appointed Ezekiel ‘Zeke’ Lewis as its new Chairman & CEO, marking a new chapter for one of Sony Music’s flagship labels.
The announcement comes as Sylvia Rhone stepped down last year following a six-year tenure that saw the label achieve consistent chart success across multiple genres. Lewis, who previously served as President of Epic Records, joined the company in 2018 as Executive Vice President, A&R. He advanced to head of A&R in 2020 and then President in 2023. Lewis will report to Sony Chairman Rob Stringer.
During his time as head of A&R, he nurtured stars including 21 Savage, Future, Meghan Trainor, Madison Beer, and Zara Larsson. Prior to Epic, Lewis held the Senior Vice President, A&R position at Motown Records from 2011 to 2017. There, he contributed to projects by Ne-Yo, Erykah Badu, Migos, Lil Yachty, T.I., and Rich Homie Quan.
“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,” Lewis says about his promotion.
“My focus, from day one, is to make this the best home for recording artists anywhere in the world. In a digital-first landscape full of noise and distraction, we have an opportunity to cut through and give creators something rare: a place where they are genuinely seen, supported, and set up to thrive. That is the mission, and I do not take it lightly.”
“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,” Rob Stringer adds. “Not only I am very pleased to make an appointment like this based on the executive growth of an internal candidate, but also because Zeke is highly respected and trusted by the artists and staff at Sony Music. I look forward to working together with him and his team on magnifying the musical vision of Epic Records.”
