Epic EVP Stripes For Lewis & Yu
• Concurrent with the announcement of Rick Sackheim‘s promotion to EVP/GM, Epic Records also announced the elevation of Ezekiel “Zeke” Lewis to EVP/Head of A&R and Stephanie Yu to EVP/Head Of Business & Legal Affairs.
In this newly created position, Lewis will now oversee the entire Epic Records’ A&R division, including A&R Operations. Lewis, who is also based in Culver City, will report directly to Epic Chairwoman & CEO, Sylvia Rhone, who said, “Zeke has proved himself a forceful and indispensable executive many times over at Epic. I have always admired his leadership skills, as well as his ability to find unique and forward-looking ways to break artists. In this fast-moving industry, Zeke is poised to take his rightful, well-earned place among our great music business starmakers.”
A Grammy Award®-winning songwriter with deep roots in music publishing, production and A&R, Lewis has served as Executive Vice President, A&R, since joining Epic in late-2017 after a successful six-year run at Universal Music Group/Motown, where he rose to Senior Vice President. Lewis’ first two years at Epic were focused on developing the careers of 21 Savage, Tyla Yahweh and Madison Beer, among others. He recently helped sign the Black Eyed Peas to Epic and developed their current global smash hit, “RITMO.”
“Being trusted with this level of responsibility is an honor, but the honor is magnified exponentially when it is passed down by an executive as legendary as Sylvia Rhone,” Lewis said. “I’m thankful for the trust that Sylvia has placed in me to oversee all of A&R and Operations at Epic. I have never been more focused or passionate about music and the continued development of our artists, both established and emerging. I look forward to working more closely than ever with the entire team to break new boundaries and constantly reach new levels.”
• A 15-year Sony Music veteran, Ms. Yu has spent the past decade at Epic Records, serving as SVP, Head of Business & Legal Affairs since 2015.
In addition to overseeing the Business & Legal Affairs and A&R Administration divisions, the New York-based Yu will now spearhead the new Brand Marketing and Sync Licensing Group initiatives. She will continue to report directly to Sylvia Rhone, who remarked, “Stephanie is widely respected throughout Epic and Sony Music for her all-encompassing knowledge, consummate professionalism, and mastery of the most intricate aspects of the Business & Legal Affairs sector, which she has successfully navigated for more than a decade. Her experience working with the industry’s biggest artists and their representatives suitably positions her to oversee these new initiatives. She remains a key pillar of our management team. This advancement is well-deserved and one of which we can all be justly proud.”
Yu commented, “Epic continues to evolve and set the pace for popular music and culture. Sylvia distinguishes herself as one of the music industry’s foremost change agents by consistently redefining and expanding the role of the modern record company. I’m honored that she has empowered me to lead these new initiatives and excited to support her vision for the label. I thank her for the opportunity and thank the members of my team for their many contributions to our success.”
