Speculation rages over L.A. Reid’s sudden exit; Sony Music issues unbelievably short statement

UPDATE: Billboardreports that Reid’s departure followed allegations against the exec of repeated harassment, made by a female employee.

ORIGINAL STORY: Speculation continues to rage over the sudden exit of Antonio Marquis “L.A.” Reid from his post as Chairman of Epic.

The legendary A&R executive and multiple Grammy-winning record producer has left Sony Music Entertainment altogether.

The chatter was not quelled by the official statement from Sony Music: “L.A. Reid will be leaving the company.” That was all.

There was talk of a clash with Rob Stringer, who took over as CEO of Sony Music Entertainment in April after heading Columbia Records as President/CEO.

Perhaps Sony Music was going through one of its regular executive shake-ups – which would make for very nervous moments for the company’s upper echelon.

Or maybe it was part of a cost-cutting exercise after Sony Music’s recent finals showed problems in other divisions like movies. Reid, who would have been on a high pay cheque, also had a tendency to splurge large sums of money on acts, although they did go on to generate millions of dollars for the company.

That there was no further comment that usually accompanies a departure of a major figure – as in “great job” or “all the best” – has been noted.

It would have been expected, given how Reid took over Epic almost six years ago when it was in the doldrums and turned its fortunes around, and given that one of his signings, DJ Khaled, is currently #1 in America with I’m The One.

He’s also had #1 successes in the last 12 months with Future, Travis Scott and a reunited A Tribe Called Quest. He also signed hitmakers Meghan Trainor and Fifth Harmony.

Upcoming Epic releases include the next Fifth Harmony album, the solo debut from former Fifth Harmony member Camila Cabello, and a new album by Mariah Carey.

Starting out as a drummer in hometown Cincinnati R&B band The Deele, Reid moved to Atlanta with bandmate Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds.

In 1989 they formed LaFace Records in a joint venture with Arista Records and went on to sign multi-platinum acts Usher, TLC, Pink and Toni Braxton.

In 2000 when Arista bought out LaFace, Reid became its CEO. His success story continued, with Outkast’s amibitious 2004 album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below selling 10 million in the US and awarded Grammy for Album of the year.

Reid left in 2004 to head Island Def Jam Music Group, instrumental in the global breakthrough of Kanye West and Rihanna.

Rob Stringer now has to find a replacement, not just to head Epic but for his own previous role at Columbia as well.

Reid’s departure is going to particularly hit Carey, who just signed a new deal with Epic last month.

He brought the singer back to Sony, after working with her at Island Def Jam when he was CEO, resulting in the hit 2005 album The Emancipation of Mimi.

In April, Reid said: “I look forward to building upon all of Mariah’s success for years to come.”

Carey will be hard hit by the fact he’s left. In 2015, she said of Reid’s departure from IDJ for Epic: “L.A. Reid is everything. I felt really abandoned by him. I was lost. I really didn’t like being at a place without a family.

“You’ve gotta have people that actually care about you as an artist, that’s first and foremost, and as a person as well. That’s what you get with him. I was kind of like floundering, doing some work that I’m still really proud of.”

Cabello tweeted after the news hit of Reid’s departure: “Grateful for you and everything you did for me.”

It is not known where Reid is going. But he usually has a number of projects going at the same time, and one of these is as Executive Producer on scripted drama Cotton Club.

Reid also is scheduled to be a keynote speaker at Midem in Cannes, France on June 6. If he doesn’t cancel, you can bet it will be a packed house.