According to MTV News, Island Def Jam Record exec L.A. Reid has officially resigned as chairman to join none other than Simon Cowell himself on the hit reality show, “X Factor.” Reid, who has been responsible for launching the careers of music icons like Usher, J. Lo, and Pink (remember the boardroom scene in “Don’t Let Me Get Me?” – yeah, that’s supposed to be him,) will be appearing on the show as one of the judges, according to the label’s statement.
A memo from Reid said that, “I am extremely proud of our beautiful roster and all we have accomplished in my seven years with IDJ.” He goes on to remind anyone who may have forgotten that his time at the label has produced some of the most “phenomenal superstars” like Rihanna, the Biebs and Yeezy – just to name a few.
Seeing that Reid has been responsible for the careers of many of the same stars we write about here on andPOP, and in just seven years is honestly, a little depressing. I don’t know what I’ve accomplished in the last seven years, but changing the face of pop culture likely hasn’t been on the list.
Reid joined Def Jam in 2004, after 15 years at LaFace and Arista records. His contract with Universal Music Group was set to expire this December, but now that he’s left early, he’s free to join Sony Music, the same label that provides the winner of “X Factor” with a recording contract.
In the memo, Reid also said, “I have always thrived on growth and the next great challenge, and I look forward with much enthusiasm to what the future holds.”
And with the likes of Usher, Mariah Carey and Rihanna circulating on my iPod – so do I.
