Rhone has succeeded for more than three decades as one of the influential female executives in the history of music business. Currently overseeing a roster of best selling artists, the Universal Motown lineup includes Lil Wayne and the Cash Money roster of gold, platinum, and multi-platinum artists, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Kid Cudi, Nelly, Melanie Fiona, Akon, Erykah Badu, and the legendary Stevie Wonder.
In October 2004, Rhone was appointed President of Motown Records, Executive Vice President of Universal Records. Prior to her Universal Motown role, Rhone served as Chairman/CEO of the Elektra Entertainment Group, transforming the boutique label into one of the most eclectic rosters in the music business. Rhone’s historic appointment in 1994 as Chairman/CEO of EEG established her as the only African American and the first woman in the history of the recording industry to attain such a title. Recipient of more than three dozen honors and awards, and a pioneer of the diversity-driven business model, Rhone has been recognized throughout her career as one of the entertainment field’s most prolific music executives.
Rhone’s career began to garner multiple ‘firsts:’ In 1990 she became the first African American woman to head a major record company when she was named CEO/President of Atlantic's EastWest Records America division. A year later when the EastWest artist roster and operations were combined with those of Atco Records, Ms Rhone was named Chairman/CEO of Atco/EastWest, and subsequently of EastWest Records /America. At EastWest, she was directly involved in breaking several talented newcomers as well as taking successful stars to new heights, including En Vogue, Gerald Levert, Pantera and Das EFX, among others. She also played a pivotal role in furthering the careers of noted superstars like AC/DC and Simply Red, who eventually became EEG artists. Legendary Atlantic Records’ founder Ahmet Ertegun commented on Rhone’s success during the period, calling her reign one of ‘innovation, imagination, and freshness.’ In 1993, she was cited by Ebony Magazine as one of the top up-and-coming black executives in the entertainment industry.
Long recognized as a keen developer of musical talent, she was also instrumental in transforming the award winning staff at Elektra, with Time Warner Chairman/CEO Dick Parsons noting: “The Elektra Entertainment Group was one of the most actualized examples of diversity in action at a company that I’ve ever seen.” In 1998,Fortune Magazine included her on their inaugural list of the Fifty Most Powerful Women, with Rhone joining elite corporate icons such as Carly Fiorina and Geraldine Laybourne, among others. In 2001,Ebony Magazine recognized her as one of the ‘Ten Most Powerful Black Women In America,’ with Rhone listed alongside global role models such as Oprah Winfrey and Condoleezza Rice.
In February 2006, the Universal Music label split into two labels, Universal Republic Records, and Universal Motown Records, with Rhone serving as President of the latter, and overseeing a growing staff and vibrant arsenal of game-changing artists and imprints. Rhone’s strategic approach helped to raise the global identity of tenacious hip hop imprint, Cash Money, while also placing an increased emphasis on Universal Motown artists’ connecting with fans via micro-blogging and social network platforms..
Profiled and quoted in hundreds of magazines and entertainment media outlets through the years, Rhone has become a perennial choice on multiple business and entertainment power lists. Among her dozens of annual rankings, she has been named to Entertainment Weekly’s Most Influential People list six times, and Hollywood Reporter’s Women In Entertainment Power list seven times. Rhone has also been hailed by Crain’s New York Business magazine for ‘breaking ground for years,’ and recognized by NBC, MTV, BET, Rolling Stone, VH1, Billboard, Vibe, Ebony, and Black Enterprise Magazine multiple times, most recently included in their 2011 ‘Most Powerful Women In Business’ issue.
Rhone stepped down from being president of the company in 2011.
Other highlights and honors include an Honorary Degree, A Doctorate of Humane Letters, from the University of Adelphi, the Herbert H. Wright Award from the National Association of Market Developers; Sony's Soul of American Music Excellence Award; The Urban Network's Executive Of The Year Award; The Boy Scouts of America's Whitney M. Young Service Award; the New Music Seminar's Joel Webber Prize for Excellence in Music and Business Award; and the Legacy Life Member Award from the National Council of Negro Women. Rhone is a member of the Board of Directors of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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