Antonio Reid Biography
Summary
"Antonio Reid" better known as "L.A. Reid" (born June 7, 1956) is a three-time Grammy Award-winning American record executive, songwriter, and record producer. Best known as the co-founder of LaFace Records, he is responsible for signing and helping bring Mariah Carey, P!nk, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Kanye West, Avril Lavigne, Toni Braxton, TLC, Usher, Ciara, OutKast, and Dido to multi-platinum album sales. He currently serves as CEO of the Epic Label Group.
He is the President and CEO of Hitco Music Publishing, based in Atlanta, and was the Chairman and CEO of Island Def Jam Music Group until 2011 when he signed up to appear as a judge on the upcoming U.S. version of The X Factor.
Early life
Reid was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is one of four children of Emma Reid, a seamstress and interior decorator. He was raised in the Mount Auburn and Madisonville neighborhoods in Cincinnati's east side. Antonio gained the nickname 'L.A.' as a young musician when a guitar player in his band called him 'L.A.' because he was wearing a T-shirt that said 'L.A.? in reference to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who were currently competing against the Cincinnati Reds at the time.
His first drum lessons were with his uncle, Albert Baldwens.
At Hughes Center High School (Cincinnati, Ohio), Reid was a star drummer who cut his teeth playing with bands in 'Merry-Go-Round,' an annual talent show held in the school auditorium. He also played in the marching band. Reid's former music teacher Terry Brown (now deceased) taught him how to be a professional.
Career
Reid's first appearance on record was with Cincinnati funk rock outfit Pure Essence who released one solitary 45 in the middle 1970s as well as garnering an appearance on local FM rock radio station WEBN's second annual LP compilation, this time as Essence. Reid then became a member of the 1980s R&B band The Deele, best known for their 1988 hit 'Two Occasions'. The band had broken up before the success of the single, then reunited to promote 'Two Occasions' as it rose up the charts. The song peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
1989-2004: LaFace Records & Arista Years
After The Deele disbanded, Reid and fellow band mate Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds founded LaFace in 1989 through a joint venture with Arista Records, with funding from Arista Records creator Clive Davis. The label soon became one of the premiere destinations for popular African-American entertainers who created Black Pop music that was easily accessible to both Urban and Top 40 radio formats. Reid signed 14 year old Usher to the label, whose six album releases have sold 65 million units worldwide. Other popular acts on the label during its peak include Toni Braxton, TLC, and Outkast. Initially headquartered in Atlanta, the label played a role in building the current landscape of the Atlanta music industry.
In May 2000, Edmonds and Reid sold their remaining 50% stake in LaFace to parent company BMG. The label became an imprint of Arista Records, with Arista taking on sales, marketing, and promotional duties for its acts. At this time, Reid also succeeded his mentor, Clive Davis, as President of Arista Records. This happened after Davis refused to name a successor at the request of Arista parent company, BMG, due to the fact that Davis, who was 67, was beyond the company's mandatory retirement age. Davis went on to find success creating another BMG imprint named J Records, which signed global superstars such as Alicia Keys, Luther Vandross & Rod Stewart. Reid then took a six week executive course at the Harvard Business School in order to prepare himself to become CEO and President of Arista.
"The most vital lesson Reid has learned from 22 years working at record companies? 'That you keep the doors open and the lights on and a star will walk in,? he says. 'I learned to stay in business. People are still buying music, dancing to it and dressing like it. They're using it to sell cars and CoverGirl makeup, so we sell product lines with our artists. The popularity of music is at an all-time high. How we monetize it is sometimes a moving target.? "
- LA Reid, regarding the challenge in marketing current music artists, as quoted in the Hollywood Reporter, Feb. 9, 2011.
As President of Arista Records, Reid brought the company great success by signing artists such as P!nk, Ciara and Avril Lavigne, whose debut album Let Go sold 6 million copies in the United States. Under Reid's tenure at Arista, Usher (whom Reid originally signed at LaFace) completed production on his multi-platinum hit 2004 album Confessions, which went on to spawn 4 #1 hit singles and sell 10 million copies in the United States alone.
2004-2011: Island Def Jam Music Group
Following the merger of Sony and BMG, L.A Reid was released from his contract at Arista in 2004 and quickly became the Chairman and CEO of The Island Def Jam Music Group in February 2004. Reid is noted for bringing Mariah Carey's career back to prominence with her multi-platinum 2005 album "The Emancipation Of Mimi" after her career had stalled from 2001-2003 with less than stellar sales and general lack of public interest for her two previous projects "Glitter" and "Charmbracelet".
Reid has also played a role in the recent successes of artists such as Amerie, Kanye West, Rihanna (alongside Jay-Z) , Bon Jovi, and most recently teenage pop phenomenon Justin Bieber. In the last few years, L.A. Reid has also been responsible for the recent high profile signings of major Pop music artists such as Janet Jackson (who left the company after her 2008 album, "Discipline"), as well as former Bad Boy rapper Shyne to the record company. Reid stepped down as CEO and Chairman of Def Jam in March 2011.
2011-present: The X Factor and Epic Label Group
It was officially confirmed by "Entertainment Weekly" and Fox on 18 March 2011 following speculation that Reid is to become a judge on the upcoming U.S. version of the British singing competition "The X Factor", alongside its creator and former "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell, 80's pop star Paula Abdul and former "Pussycat Dolls" singer Nicole Scherzinger. In July 2011, Reid become the head of the newly formed Epic Label Group which will includes Epic Records and Jive Records (which will Separate them from the RCA/Jive Label Group). Various artists from Jive Records will be brought to the new company while others will be moved to RCA.
Other ventures
With the belief that good songwriting is essential to the success of recording artists, Reid formed the Hitco Publishing Group in 1996, as a joint venture with Windswept Music. While starting up Hitco, Reid was looking to connect to a wholly new market of producers and songwriters and talent spotted the young Shakir Stewart whom he saw as someone with a 'a finger on the pulse of the next generation of hot producers in the Atlanta music scene'. He gave the future senior vice president of Island Def Jam Music Group his first position as an inter-level creative person at Hitco.
In 2008, Reid launched a cosmetics line named LE MÉTIER DE BEAUTÉ, which is sold at upscale retailers such as Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus.
Awards/Accolades
On August 30, 2006, L.A. Reid, along with Babyface, was honored as a BMI Icon at the 6th annual BMI Urban Awards. As of 2006, he has won 18 BMI awards. Together with Babyface, Reid has produced and/or co-written penning numerous R&B hits, racking up 33 No. 1 singles.
Personal life
Reid was married to singer and TLC manager Perri 'Pebbles' Reid from 1989-1996, with whom he has two sons, Antonio Reid Jr. and Aaron Reid. Aaron was featured on an episode of MTV's "My Super Sweet 16". Reid also helped raise Perri's daughter Ashley V. Smith (born 1983 from a relationship with her former producer George L. Smith) and she now goes by the name Ashley V. Reid.
Reid later married former schoolteacher Erica Holton in Capri, Italy in July 2000. Their daughter Ariana Manuelle was born in April 2001. Their son Addison Kennedy was born in August 2003. They reside in New York City.
Discography
1984: "Street Beat" - The Deele - Drums, Vocals (Background)
1985: "Material Thangz" - The Deele - Percussion, Drums, Producer, Programming
1986: "Lovers" - Babyface - Mixing, Producer, Composer
1988: "Don't Be Cruel" - Bobby Brown - Producer
1988: "Karyn White" - Karyn White - Vocals (Background), Drums, Producer, Percussion
1988: "Pebbles" - Pebbles - Producer, Vocals (Background), Musician
1988: "Forever Your Girl" - Paula Abdul - Producer, Percussion Programming, Drums, Composer
1989: "Lover in Me" - Sheena Easton - Producer, Percussion, Drums, Mixing, Composer
1989: "Tender Lover" - Babyface - Percussion, Stylist, Executive Producer, Producer, Drums, Composer
1989: "After 7" - After 7 - Technical Assistance, Producer, Programming, Mixing, Drums, Percussion, Executive Producer
1990: "Always" - Pebbles - Vocal Arrangement, Executive Producer, Rhythm Arrangements, Drums, Remixing, Mixing, Percussion, Vocals (Background), Composer, Producer
1990: "Boys" - The Boys - Mixing
1990: "Dance!...Ya Know It!" - Bobby Brown - Remixing, Producer, Composer
1990: "Father's Day" - Father MC - Producer, Vocals (Background), Arranger, Keyboards
1990: "I'm Your Baby Tonight" - Whitney Houston - Percussion, Mixing, Rhythm Arrangements, Drums, Vocal Arrangement, Producer, Rhythm, Vocals, Arranger
1990: "Johnny Gill " - Johnny Gill - Drums, Producer, Executive Producer, Mixing, Percussion
1990: "Shut Up and Dance: Dance Mixes" - Paula Abdul - Producer
1991: "Damian Dame" - Damian Dame - Producer, Percussion, Vocal Arrangement, Drums, Reissue Producer, Executive Producer, Mixing, Rhythm Arrangements
1991: "MTV Party to Go, Vol. 1" - Various Artists - Producer
1991: "Cooleyhighharmony" - Boyz II Men - Composer, Producer
1991: "Bobby Brown" - Bobby Brown - Composer
1992: "Arthur Siegel Sings Arthur Siegel" - Arthur Siegel - Composer
1992: "Bobby" - Bobby Brown - Instrumental, Producer, Composer
1992: "Bodyguard" - Original Soundtrack - Producer, Composer
1992: "Takin' My Time" - After 7 - Drums
1992: "You Said" - Jermaine Jackson - Programming, Drum Programming, Mixing, Executive Producer, Remixing, Producer, Percussion
1992: "Ooooooohhh...On the TLC Tip" - TLC - Executive Producer, Drums, Percussion, Mixing, Composer
1992: "Boomerang" - Original Soundtrack - Executive Producer, Producer, Percussion, Composer, Drums
1992: "1746DCGA30035" - Highland Place Mobsters - Executive Producer, Producer
1992: "Humpin' Around" - Bobby Brown - Composer
1993: "Queen of the Night" - Whitney Houston - Producer
1993: "Remixes N the Key of B" - Bobby Brown - Producer, Remixing
1993: "Provocative" - Johnny Gill - Producer, Drums
1993: "Poetic Justice" - Original Soundtrack - Producer
1993: "Hootie Mack" - Bell Biv DeVoe - Multi Instruments, Producer
1993: "Toni Braxton" - Toni Braxton - Producer, Executive Producer, Drums, Mixing
1993: "Toni Braxton" Bonus Track - Toni Braxton - Drums, Mixing, Composer, Producer
1993: "For the Cool in You" - Babyface - Producer, Drums
1993: "LaFace Family Christmas Arista" - La Face Artists - Producer, Drums, Drum Programming, Executive Producer
1994: "When Can I See You Again" - Babyface - Producer
1994: "30th Anniversary Anthology" - The Whispers - Producer
1994: "Tribute to Curtis Mayfield Warner Bros." - Various Artists - Mixing, Percussion, Producer, Drums
1994: "Greatest Hits (1980-1994)" - Aretha Franklin - Drum Programming, Producer
1994: "Greatest Hits" - The Deele - Composer
1994: "Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik" - OutKast - Executive Producer
1994: "II" - Boyz II Men - Producer
1994: "Usher" - Usher - Executive Producer
1994: "Ultimate Dance Hits '94" - Various Artists - Remixing, Executive Producer, Producer
1994: "CrazySexyCool" - TLC - Producer
1995: "Many Ways" - Usher Raymond - Executive Producer
1995: "Take a Dip" - A Few Good Men - Drum Programming, Executive Producer, Mixing, Drums, Percussion
1995: "Brainchild" - Society of Soul - Executive Producer
1995: "Words" - Tony Rich - Producer
1995: "Soul Food" - Goodie Mob - Executive Producer
1996: "Every Time I Close My Eyes" - Babyface - Producer
1996: "In the Hood" - Donell Jones - Executive Producer
1996: "Knocks Me Off My Feet #1" - Donell Jones - Executive Producer
1996: "Knocks Me Off My Feet #2" - Donell Jones - Executive Producer
1996: "Last Night US #2" - Az Yet - Executive Producer
1996: "My Heart" - Donell Jones - Executive Producer
1996: "Rhythm of the Games: 1996 Olympic Games Album" - Various Artists - Executive Producer
1996: "Secrets" - Toni Braxton - Vocal Arrangement, Executive Producer, Vocal Arrangement
1996: "You're Makin' Me High US" - Toni Braxton - Executive Producer
1996: "ATLiens" - OutKast - Executive Producer
1996: "Az Yet" - Az Yet - Executive Producer
1996: "Un-Break My Heart" - Toni Braxton - Vocal Arrangement, Executive Producer
1997: "After 12, Before 6" - Sam Salter - Executive Producer
1997: "Ultimate Rock Collection Gold and Platinum, Vol. 6: 1989-1995" - Various Artists - Composer
1997: "1997 Grammy Nominees" - Various Artists - Vocal Arrangement
1997: "For You" - Kenny Lattimore - Composer
1997: "Very Best of After 7" - After 7 - Producer, Remixing
1997: "I Don't Want To #1" - Toni Braxton - Executive Producer
1997: "What About Us #1" - Total - Executive Producer
1997: "My Way" - Usher - Executive Producer
1997: "Nice & Slow #1" - Usher - Executive Producer
1997: "It's on Tonight" - Sam Salter - Executive Producer
1997: "Favorites" - Johnny Gill - Producer, Drums, Composer, Mixing, Percussion
1997: "Songbook, Vol. 1: The Songs of Babyface" - The Whispers - Composer
1997: "We're Not Making Love No More" - Dru Hill - Executive Producer
1998: "They Don't Dance No Mo" - Goodie Mob - Executive Producer
1998: "Nice & Slow #2" - Usher - Executive Producer
1998: "Hymns" - Corey Glover - Executive Producer
1998: "Still Standing" - Goodie Mob - Executive Producer
1998: "Birdseye" - Tony Rich - Executive Producer
1999: "FanMail" - TLC - Executive Producer
1999: "Shanice" - Shanice - Executive Producer
1999: "Live" - Usher - Executive Producer, Composer
1999: "Crown Royal" - Run-D.M.C. - Executive Producer
1999: "R&B: From Doo Wop to Hip Hop" - Various Artists - Producer
1999: "Ultimate Grammy Box: From the Recording Academy's Collection" - Various Artists - Producer
2000: "Can't Take Me Home" - P!nk - Producer
2000: "Greatest Hits" - Whitney Houston - Producer, Composer
2000: "Greatest Hits" - Pebbles - Composer, Drums, Percussion
2000: "Heat" - Toni Braxton - Producer
2000: "Shaft 2000" - Original Soundtrack - Producer
2000: "Best of Bell Biv DeVoe" - Bell Biv DeVoe - Producer
2000: "Greatest Hits" - Paula Abdul - Composer
2000: "Spanish Guitar Import CD #1" - Toni Braxton - Producer
2000: "Collection of His Greatest Hits" - Babyface - Drums, Drum Programming, Percussion, Producer
2000: "Could I Have This Kiss Forever Australia CD" - Whitney Houston - Producer
2000: "Platinum Christmas" - Various Artists - Producer
2000: "Platinum Collection La Face" - Various Artists - Executive Producer, Vocal Arrangement
2000: "Soul Food - Original TV Soundtrack" - Executive Producer
2001: "Love Songs" - Babyface - Drums, Producer, Percussion
2001: "Supernova" - Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes - Executive Producer
2001: "Face2Face" - Babyface - Executive Producer
2001: "Weekend" - Kenny Lattimore - Executive Producer, Composer
2001: "Snowflakes" - Toni Braxton - Drums, Producer, Executive Producer
2001: "Even in Darkness" - Dungeon Family - Executive Producer
2001: "So Blu" - Blu Cantrell - Executive Producer
2001: "Love, Whitney" - Whitney Houston - Executive Producer, Vocal Arrangement, Producer
2001: "M!ssundaztood" - P!nk - Executive Producer
2001: "Big Boi and Dre Present...Outkast" - OutKast - Executive Producer
2001: "Bridget Jones's Diary, Vol. 2" - Various Artists - Producer, Executive Producer
2002: "Cee-Lo Green and His Perfect Imperfections" - Cee-Lo Green - Executive Producer
2002: "Ultimate Collection" - Johnny Gill - Producer
2002: "Don't Let Me Get Me Australia CD" - P!nk - Executive Producer
2002: "Let Go" - Avril Lavigne - Executive Producer
2002: "Life Goes On" - Donell Jones - Executive Producer
2002: "Full Circle" - Boyz II Men - Executive Producer
2002: "Left of Self-Centered" - Butch Walker - Executive Producer
2002: "Complicated" - Avril Lavigne - Executive Producer
2002: "Last Night US #1" - Az Yet - Executive Producer
2002: "Whatchulookinat" - Whitney Houston - Executive Producer
2002: "20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: Motown 1980s, Vol. 2" - Various Artists - Producer, Composer
2002: "Paradise" - Kenny G - Executive Producer
2002: "3D" - TLC - Executive Producer
2002: "Girl Talk" - TLC - Executive Producer
2002: "Game of Love Australia CD" - Santana - Executive Producer
2002: "Wishes: A Holiday Album" - Kenny G - Executive Producer
2002: "More Than a Woman" - Toni Braxton - Executive Producer
2002: "Family Portrait" - P!nk - Executive Producer
2002: "Just Whitney" - Whitney Houston - Executive Producer
2003: "Things That Lovers Do" - Kenny Lattimore - Executive Producer
2003: "My So-Called Life" - From Zero - Executive Producer
2003: "Essential Babyface" - Babyface - Producer, Percussion, Drums
2003: "Ultimate Kenny G" - Kenny G - Executive Producer
2003: "So Damn Happy" - Aretha Franklin - Executive Producer
2003: "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below" - OutKast - Executive Producer
2003: "Ultimate Toni Braxton" - Toni Braxton - Live Mixing, Producer, Composer
2003: "Try This" - P!nk - Executive Producer
2003: "Best of After 7" - After 7 - Composer
2004: "The Greatest Hits of TLC" - TLC - Compilation Producer, Audio Production
2004: "Confessions Special Edition" - Usher - Executive Producer
2005: "Pleasure & Pain" - 112 - Executive Producer
2005: "Breathe Again: Toni Braxton at Her Best" - Toni Braxton - Composer
2005: "20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Bobby Brown" - Bobby Brown - Producer, Composer, Audio Production
2005: "Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101" - Young Jeezy - Executive Producer
2005: "I'll Make Love to You" - Boyz II Men - Producer, Composer
2005: "Best of Soul Love: Luther Vandross/Marvin Gaye" - Various Artists - Composer
2005: "20th Century Masters - The DVD Collection: The Best of Bobby Brown" - Bobby Brown - Composer, Producer
2005: "Other Side of Cool" - Babyface - Remixing, Composer
2005: "The Emancipation of Mimi" - Mariah Carey - Executive Producer
2006: "Definitive Collection" - Bobby Brown - Composer, Producer
2006: "Gold" - Gladys Knight - Composer
2006: "Collection 3 Disc" - Toni Braxton - Vocal Arrangement, Producer
2006: "Ultimate Collection" - Shalamar - Producer, Composer
2006: "Coming Home" - Lionel Richie - Executive Producer
2006: "Bobby" - Original Soundtrack - Audio Production, Producer
2006: "Kingdom Come" - Jay-Z - Executive Producer
2007: "Essential Toni Braxton" - Toni Braxton - Composer, Producer
2007: "I Am" - Chrisette Michele - Audio Production, Executive Producer
2007: "Ultimate Collection" - Whitney Houston - Producer
2007: "American Gangster" - Jay-Z - Executive Producer
2007: "Super Hits" - The Jackson 5 - Composer, Producer
2007: "Song for You: Live - Whitney Houston" - Composer
2008: "Super Hits" - Babyface - Producer, Composer
2008: "E=MC2 " - Mariah Carey - Executive Producer
2008: "Year of the Gentleman" - Ne-Yo - Executive Producer
2008: "Nas" - Nas - Executive Producer, Audio Production
2008: "Recession" - Young Jeezy - Executive Producer
2008: "Tender Lover/For the Cool in You" - Babyface - Percussion, Drums, Stylist, Producer, Composer
2009: "From the Heart" - Babyface - Producer
2009: "This Is the One" - Utada - Executive Producer
2009: "Can You Feel It: The Jacksons Collection" - The Jackson 5 - Composer
2009: "Gold" - Bobby Brown - Producer, Remixing
2009: "Just Go" - Lionel Richie - Executive Producer
2009: "Whitney Houston Smooth Jazz Tribute" - Various Artists - Composer
2009: ' In Love & War' - ((Amerie))-Executive Producer
"Live from the Royal Albert Hall" - The Killers - Executive Producer
2009: "My World" - Justin Bieber - Executive Producer
2009: "Rated R" - Rihanna - Executive Producer
2010: "My World 2.0" - Justin Bieber - Executive Producer
2010: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy - Kanye West - Executive Producer
2010: "Libra Scale" - Ne-Yo - Executive Producer
2011: "Love?"-Jennifer Lopez - Executive Producer
External links
(L.A. Reid: A Day in the Life of a Music Mogul)
(Antonio 'L.A.' Reid - Making of an Industry Mogul)
Credit
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article about Antonio Reid.
