MusicFreaks

Tag: Record Labels

  • Kelly Rowland Salutes Sylvia Rhone With Ultimate Icon Award at 2026 BET Awards: ‘Music Needs Us to Stand Up for It Like Never Before’

    Trailblazing record industry executive Sylvia Rhone has been recognized for her monumental impact on music, receiving the Ultimate Icon Award at the 2026 BET Awards. The special honor celebrates a career defined by groundbreaking achievement, including her recent six-year tenure as chairman and CEO of Epic Records. The presentation came from fellow artist Kelly Rowland, who shared her admiration for Rhone’s vision.

    Rowland recalled their first meeting, noting the powerful presence of an icon. “Sylvia has a particular aura that engulfs any room she walks in,” Rowland shared. She described Rhone’s drive and commitment to creating quality artists as something unique to a true icon.

    When accepting the award on stage, accompanied by a standing ovation and the tune of “Free Your Mind” by En Vogue—another act Rhone mentored to fame—Rhone shifted the focus from herself to the collective. She asserted that while the award honored her, “it really belongs to all of us who create culture.”

    Rhone emphasized the power of Black creativity in shaping the world and called for greater protection for artists. She reflected on her journey across various companies like Atlantic, Elektra, Motown, and Epic, noting how musical ideas often translate into powerful movements.

    In a timely reflection on the current climate, Rhone addressed the necessity of standing up for music amidst massive technological change. She argued that while exciting possibilities abound, the focus must remain balanced between innovation and soul. “We make the algorithm, but the algorithm doesn’t make us,” she stated. This perspective calls for honoring the musician, compensating creators, and ensuring the next generation has the opportunity to craft world-changing songs.

    Rhone’s tribute included a nod to the extraordinary artists who have inspired her career, shouting out a who’s who that encompassed figures like Busta Rhymes, Badu, Gerald Levert, Brandy, Future, Travis Scott, and Tyla. These names underscore a rich legacy built on diverse talent and shared artistic vision.

    The celebration extended beyond the awards ceremony. Earlier during BET Week on June 25, Grammy winner Missy Elliott hosted “The Sylvia Rhone Legacy Celebration,” showcasing music stars and creatives packed into The Sun Rose West Hollywood. The event featured a wide array of celebrated figures, including Stevie Wonder, Lil Wayne, songwriter-producers Jimmy Jam and Bryan-Michael Cox, and HYBE America president of music Ethiopia Habtemariam.

    The evening was curated by Grammy- and Emmy Award-winning producer/multi-instrumentalist Adam Blackstone. The musical salute encompassed the extensive scope of Rhone’s career and celebrated the diverse artists whose careers she helped develop and guide, featuring performances from talents like Jozzy and Flo.

    Credit: Billboard

  • Ahead of World Tour, Anthony Pappa Talks Collaborations, an Artist Album and ‘Flying The Flag’ For Australian DJs

    At the epicenter of elite DJing lies a profound mastery of music selection, reading the crowd, and pure rhythm. For Anthony Pappa, the mantra is simple: always beats.

    Pappa’s journey into the world of electronic music was built on a solid foundation of percussion. His path wasn’t the typical route; while others were exploring bikes or waves, he immersed himself in drumming. His father had set the initial course for him—a professional drummer—and Pappa pursued that passion at one of Melbourne’s leading drum schools, Drumtek. There, he learned from masters like Virgil Donati, forging a rhythmic skill that would eventually translate into the electrifying world of DJing.

    This deep understanding of rhythm proved to be an effortless bridge. The transition from drumming to mixing became seamless, culminating in Pappa winning Australia’s DMC DJ championship at just fifteen years old. That early triumph marked the start of a career built on instinct and energy.

    Today, Anthony Pappa stands as one of Australia’s most sought-after and versatile DJs. He effortlessly navigates vinyl across three decks, mastering everything from house to trance and progressive sounds with surgical precision. His influence is vast, evidenced by his appearance on DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs list annually between 1997 and 2003, making him a recognized figure in the industry.

    Beyond performance, Pappa has built an incredible catalogue. He has sold over 500,000 records for major electronic music brands, including Platipus Records, Global Underground, and Renaissance Recordings. This achievement showcases his ability not just to play music, but to create and curate it for a global audience.

    His experience stretches back further than the turntables. Starting as a mobile DJ crafting birthday party sets, Pappa moved into the heart of Australia’s nightlife, playing iconic venues like Melbourne’s Metro, The Historic Chevron, and Chasers in the early 1990s. He hasn’t forgotten where he came from, consistently weaving drumming elements into his highly dynamic sets.

    Pappa’s global footprint is evident in his residencies and festival appearances, spanning iconic spots like Glastonbury, Tomorrowland Belgium, Ultra Miami, and countless other major events across the Atlantic. He has performed for some of the biggest names in electronic music, including Renaissance (UK), Twilo (New York), and Japan’s Womb.

    While his career is rich with celebrated achievements, Pappa remains focused on the creative current. Recently, he has released compelling tracks like “We Emerge” and the See Me EP, featuring powerful collaborations that push the boundaries of progressive house sound.

    Looking ahead, Pappa is constantly pushing boundaries, currently embarking on a world tour across Europe, North America, South America, and South Africa. Though he has done the work of mixing countless compilations, his next big milestone is his own album—a chance to fully realize his unique musical vision.

    Ultimately, Pappa’s continued success is fueled by passion. He remains happily on the road, celebrating the privilege of being a DJ and an artist who lives and breathes music.

    Credit: Billboard

  • Legendary Music Exec Clive Davis Dies At 94

    Clive Davis in 2017 (photo: Francois Durand / Getty Images)

    The world of music pauses today to remember Clive Davis, a titan whose influence reverberated across six decades of popular music. With a career spanning more than sixty years, Davis didn’t just manage records; he built entire musical empires, shaping the sounds that defined generations and guiding countless careers from the page of a contract to the peak of global stardom.

    Born in Brooklyn in 1932, Davis possessed an innate knack for the industry. After graduating from New York University and Harvard Law School, he joined Columbia Records as an attorney, quickly ascending through the ranks. By 1966, he was already serving as vice president and general manager, a role he ultimately held as president the following year.

    From the outset, Davis had an uncanny ability to spot talent. He famously signed groundbreaking acts like Janis Joplin’s Big Brother and the Holding Company, while bringing titans such as Bruce Springsteen, Chicago, Santana, Laura Nyro, and Aerosmith into the Columbia fold. His vision extended across genres, helping steer the careers of Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, Sly and the Family Stone, Barbra Streisand, and Miles Davis.

    Davis was instrumental in transforming the landscape of soul music, partnering with Gamble & Huff to bring Philadelphia International Records into Columbia, thereby profoundly shaping the sound of Black music in the 1970s. After leaving Columbia in 1973, he carved out his own path, authoring the bestselling memoir Clive: Inside the Record Business and founding Arista Records with Columbia Pictures.

    The label quickly demonstrated its power, famously signing Barry Manilow’s “Mandy,” which Davis personally discovered and renamed. Arista became a powerhouse, launching careers for artists ranging from Houston and Patti Smith to Kenny G and Sarah McLachlan, and attracting legends like Aretha Franklin, Lou Reed, the Grateful Dead, and the Eurythmics.

    Davis’ empire continued its explosive growth. He launched Arista Nashville in 1988, cultivating country superstars like Alan Jackson and Brad Paisley. Later, he partnered with L.A. Reid and Babyface to create LaFace Records, which became a launchpad for massive acts including TLC, Toni Braxton, Usher, Outkast, and Pink.

    Perhaps one of his greatest musical triumphs was overseeing Santana’s Supernatural, the 1999 comeback album that sold over 26 million copies worldwide and secured the Album of the Year Grammy. Davis shared producer honors for this monumental success.

    His influence on new sounds continued with his launch of J Records, which introduced Alicia Keys to the world with her debut album Songs in A Minor>, an album that swept the Grammys. He oversaw successes across the spectrum, from Maroon 5 and Luther Vandross to Rod Stewart and Jennifer Hudson.

    Beyond the charts, Davis channeled his immense wealth into philanthropy. He devoted himself to education, donating significant funds to New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts to establish the Department of Recorded Music. He was also deeply involved in humanitarian causes, including AIDS-related efforts, ensuring his legacy extended far beyond the music industry.

    Clive Davis left behind a monumental soundtrack for the world. His life and career are chronicled in the acclaimed documentary Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives and his autobiography, which continue to inspire generations who discovered that the true rhythm of life is found in the music.

    Credit: Spin