L.A. Reid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
L.A. Reid
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Reid in 2011
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Antonio Marquis Reid
June 7, 1956 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
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| Education | Harvard Business School (Exec. Ed) |
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| Years active | 1973–present |
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| Formerly of | The Deele, Pure Essence |
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| Children | 5 |
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Antonio Marquis "L.A." Reid (born June 7, 1956) is a famous American music executive, producer, and talent scout. He has led several major record labels, helping many artists become stars. He was the head of Arista Records, the Island Def Jam Music Group, and Epic Records.
Early in his career, L.A. Reid was a musician himself. He played drums in R&B bands like Pure Essence and The Deele. He also produced music for many artists. In 1989, he co-founded LaFace Records with his friend and fellow musician, Babyface. Later, he was a judge on the TV show The X Factor. He also helped create the album Xscape (2014), which featured new music with vocals by Michael Jackson.
L.A. Reid has won three Grammy Awards. He even won one as a songwriter for the popular song "End of the Road" by Boyz II Men. In 2016, he wrote a book about his life called Sing to Me: My Story of Making Music, Finding Magic, and Searching for Who's Next. This book became a bestseller.
Contents
L.A. Reid's Music Journey
Starting in Music
L.A. Reid began his music career as a drummer. His first recording was with a funk rock band from Cincinnati called Pure Essence in the mid-1970s. They released one song on a small record.
He found more success as a member of The Deele, an R&B band from the 1980s. They were known for their 1988 hit song "Two Occasions". This song became very popular, reaching number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Creating LaFace Records and Leading Arista
After The Deele band broke up, L.A. Reid and his bandmate Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds started their own record label called LaFace Records in 1989. They partnered with Arista Records and its founder, Clive Davis.
LaFace Records quickly became a top label for popular African-American artists. These artists created "Black Pop" music that was popular on both R&B and Top 40 radio stations. L.A. Reid signed a 14-year-old singer named Usher to the label. Usher's albums have sold over 65 million copies worldwide. Other famous artists on LaFace included Toni Braxton, TLC, and Outkast. Both TLC and Toni Braxton sold more than 65 million records each. LaFace Records was based in Atlanta and helped grow the city's music industry.
In 1996, Reid also started the Hitco Publishing Group. This company helped connect new producers, songwriters, and artists to the music world.
In 2000, L.A. Reid and Babyface sold their share of LaFace to BMG. LaFace then became part of Arista Records. At this time, Reid also took over from Clive Davis as the president of Arista Records.
As president of Arista Records, Reid signed new artists like Avril Lavigne and Pink. Avril Lavigne's first album, Let Go, sold 6 million copies in the United States. Pink's album Missundaztood sold 5 million copies. He also signed Ciara, whose first album Goodies sold 2.5 million copies.
Under Reid's leadership at Arista, Usher released his huge hit album Confessions in 2004. This album had four number 1 songs and sold 10 million copies in the U.S. Outkast's album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below also sold over 10 million copies and won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year.
Leading Island Def Jam and Judging The X Factor
In 2004, L.A. Reid became the chairman and CEO of The Island Def Jam Music Group. He is known for helping Mariah Carey's career become successful again with her 2005 album The Emancipation of Mimi. Before this, her career had slowed down.
Reid also helped artists like Kanye West, Rihanna, Bon Jovi, and Justin Bieber achieve great success. He also helped Jennifer Lopez with her music comeback in 2011 with her album Love?. Reid left Island Def Jam in March 2011.
In early 2011, Reid became a judge on the first season of The X Factor USA. He judged alongside Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Nicole Scherzinger. Reid was in charge of the "Boys" category. He worked with singers like Marcus Canty and Chris Rene. Chris Rene was his most successful contestant, finishing third in the competition.
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In July 2011, Reid became the chairman and CEO of Epic Records. Many artists from the former Jive Records label joined Epic.
Reid returned for the second season of The X Factor USA in 2012. This time, he was joined by new judges Demi Lovato and Britney Spears. Reid's category was the "Over 25s," and his contestant Tate Stevens won the entire season. Reid announced in December 2012 that he would not return for the third season.
Later Years: Books, Albums, and New Ventures
After his time on The X Factor, L.A. Reid worked on the album Xscape, released in May 2014. This album featured new music created around old vocal recordings by Michael Jackson. Reid looked through 40 years of Jackson's music to find the right tracks. The album earned a Gold certification, meaning it sold a lot of copies.
In 2016, Reid published his memoir, Sing to Me: My Story of Making Music, Finding Magic, and Searching for Who's Next. The book received good reviews and shared his journey from a young musician to a top music executive.
While at Epic Records, Reid helped four albums reach number 1 on the charts. These included albums by Future, DJ Khaled, and Travis Scott. He also had great success with pop artists like Meghan Trainor and Fifth Harmony. Under his leadership, Epic Records grew its share of the music market.
In 2018, Reid started a new company called Hitco Entertainment, LLC. He co-founded it with Charles Goldstuck. Hitco signed over 15 artists, including Big Boi from Outkast and Dinah Jane from Fifth Harmony. Hitco had a big hit with Yella Beezy's song "That's on Me," which sold over 2 million copies worldwide. In 2022, Hitco's assets and artist contracts were sold to Concord Music Group, and Hitco stopped its operations.
Awards and Achievements
L.A. Reid has received many awards for his work in music. In 2006, he and Babyface were honored as BMI Icons. As of 2006, he had won 18 BMI awards. Together with Babyface, he produced and co-wrote many R&B hits, with over 40 songs reaching number 1.
In 2013, Reid received the President's Merit Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences at the Grammy salute to Industry Icons. He is also a three-time Grammy Award winner. In 2014, he received an award from Harvard University for excellence in media. In 2016, BET Honors gave him The Business of Entertainment Award.
Helping Others
L.A. Reid is also known for his charity work. In 2006, he supported efforts to bring arts programs to young people in cities. He also received the Music Visionary Award from the UJA-Federation of New York. He has been involved with events for the City of Hope organization and the Robin Hood Foundation.
In 2008, Reid helped write and produce the song "Just Stand Up" for a TV special called Stand Up To Cancer. Many famous artists, including Mariah Carey, Beyonce, and Rihanna, performed the song. The money from the song's sales was donated to the Stand Up To Cancer organization. In 2009, Reid received the Spirit of Compassion Award from UNICEF.
Personal Life
L.A. Reid has a son named Antonio M. Reid, Jr., born in 1978. He married Perri "Pebbles" Reid in 1989, and they had a son named Aaron Alexander. They divorced in 1996. In 2000, he married Erica Holton, and they have two children together.
Reid got his nickname "L.A." from a friend when he was a child because he often wore a Los Angeles Dodgers shirt.
Images for kids
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Reid in 2011
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L.A. Reid's signature
See also
In Spanish: L. A. Reid para niños
