Ezekiel Lewis Talks New Epic Records CEO Gig & the Art of A&R: ‘It’s Not About Genres. It’s About Artists’
Categoria: Musica
In the latest episode of Billboard On the Record, Lewis sits down to talk about his new role as Epic's CEO/chairman for the first time.
Por Billboard | 28/10/2026
Ezekiel “Zeke” Lewis doesn’t have the typical origin story of a major label CEO. He got his start as a Grammy-winning songwriter and producer in Atlanta, co-penning songs like “One Less Lonely Girl” by Justin Bieber and “The Way I Are” by Timbaland , often with his collective The Clutch, before he made his jump to the boardroom. Today, however, Lewis sees the creative journey as critical to his understanding of the music business and what artists need from their industry partners. “When I got inside the building, I realized that my songwriting career and the fact that I had achieved some success was a miracle,” he explains. He was fascinated by “the way music moves through buildings,” and he found a new calling to “get inside to help creators” navigate the industry with greater success. Related Molly Neuman on the Evolution of Independent Music From the ’90s to Now: ‘It Was a High-Risk Business’ First, he built up his own publishing house, Bar Music Group. Then he landed an A&R gig at Motown Records, where he worked his way up the ladder to become senior vp of A&R by the time he left in 2018. That job was also where he first worked with legendary label executive Sylvia Rhone , who he says taught him to “be diligent, never give up and never take no for an answer,” as he puts it. But when Rhone left the job and took a role at Sony Music’s Epic Records, where she eventually rose to become its CEO/chairman, she courted Lewis to follow her and scout the next generation of talent there. As Lewis has advanced in his career at Epic, he’s played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of 21 Savage, Madison Beer, BIA, Black Eyed Peas, DDG, Future, GIVĒON, Zara Larsson, Mariah the Scientist, Travis Scott, Southside, Meghan Trainor and Tyla. When Rhone stepped away in 2025, rumors swirled that Lewis was being eyed as her successor. In March, the confirmation finally came that Lewis had been appointed CEO/chairman of Epic. Lewis joins the latest episode of Billboard On the Record in his first-ever interview as CEO and chairman to discuss what it takes to run a successful label in 2026, how he approaches A&R, and how his songwriting career shaped his leadership in the boardroom. To watch this episode of Billboard On the Record , sponsored by ASCAP, check out the YouTube video below or click here for more viewing and listening options. An edited and condensed excerpt of the conversation can also be found below. You have built up your whole business career in music in A&R. This historically has been a role held often by creative people. I think of George Martin, producer and A&R for The Beatles, as a prime example. Now, however, A&R is more data-driven and typically not held by creatives. Why have we moved away from A&R having creative experience? I don’t accept that. I hear people say a lot of the job