Sony Music has appointed Ezekiel “Zeke” Lewis as chairman and CEO of Epic Records, the company announced Monday.

Lewis had served as Epic’s president since 2023, leading the A&R division while helping run the label’s day-to-day operations, which he and GM Rick Sackheim have been covering since longtime chair/CEO Sylvia Rhone stepped down late last year. Lewis joine Epic in 2018 as the executive VP of A&R.

He will report to Sony Music Group chairman Rob Stringer.

A Grammy-winning songwriter and producer, Lewis has worked closely with many artists throughout his tenure at Epic, including 21 Savage, Madison Beer, BIA, Black Eyed Peas, Future, Giveon, Zara Larsson, Mariah the Scientist, Travis Scott, Southside, Meghan Trainor, Tyla and others.

Prior to Epic, Lewis served as senior VP of A&R at Motown Records, where he worked with Ne-Yo, Erykah Badu, Migos, Lil Yachty, T.I., and Rich Homie Quan. Earlier in Lewis’ career, his work included co-writing and co-producing hit records for Justin Bieber, Mary J. Blige, Usher, and many others.

“I am truly humbled by the trust Rob has placed in me to lead this incredible label,” Lewis said in a statement. “Music has always been about the artist, their vision, their voice, their story. Everything we build here starts and ends with that belief. My focus, from day one, is to make this the best home for recording artists anywhere in the world. In a digital-first landscape full of noise and distraction, we have an opportunity to cut through and give creators something rare: a place where they are genuinely seen, supported, and set up to thrive. That is the mission, and I do not take it lightly.”

Said Stringer, “Through his experience and knowledge in a senior creative capacity at Epic over the last eight years, Zeke is eminently qualified to take the label forward as its leader. Not only I am very pleased to make an appointment like this based on the executive growth of an internal candidate, but also because Zeke is highly respected and trusted by the artists and staff at Sony Music. I look forward to working together with him and his team on magnifying the musical vision of Epic Records.”