Island Def Jam chairman Antonio ‘L.A.’ Reid has long been rumored to become a judge on the U.S. import of the Simon Cowell reality series, ‘The X Factor.’
Yesterday, (though The Hollywood Reporter is taking the credit) it was entertainment blog YBF.com that first broke the news that the 54-year-old music mogul is the first judge officially signed to the competition series.
Today came news that Reid has officially resigned from his post at Island Def Jam.
Below is an unedited copy of the letter sent to the staff:
“Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate and doubt, to offer a solution everybody can
understand.” –Colin Powell
To my Island Def Jam family:
After much consideration, I have decided to leave my position as Chairman of the Island Def Jam Music Group. I have always thrived on growth and the next great challenge, and I look forward with much enthusiasm to what the future holds.
I am extremely proud of our beautiful roster and all we have accomplished in my seven years with IDJ. We continue to have incredible success together with today’s most phenomenal superstars – Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, Bon Jovi, Jennifer Lopez, Ne-Yo, Rick Ross, The Killers, The-Dream, Chrisette Michele, Jeezy and Ludacris to name a few.
I want to thank all of you for your amazing contributions.
With Warm Regards –
LA
###
Reid is receiving an early release from his contract with Island Def Jam – his contract doesn’t actually end until December – however, there had been rumors that Universal Music Group’s new chairman and CEO, Lucian Grainge, was not a fan of Reid and his future with the company was questionable regardless.
I reported last fall on the ‘Tom Joyner Morning Show’ that there was talk that Reid, who founded the now defunct LaFace Records (Toni Braxton/TLC/Outkast) with former partner Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds in 1998, would like oversee a label in the Sony Music system.
With winners of ‘The X Factor’ earning a $5 million contract with Sony Music, it makes speculation that Reid is jumping ship even greater.
