L.A. Reid: Behind the Label
The men behind the music labels that we love!
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L.A. Reid: Behind the Label - These are just some of the amazing influencers and business men who have pushed the music industry to new heights with their relentless work ethic and drive. (Photo: FOX via Getty Images)
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Sean 'P. Diddy / Puff Daddy / Diddy / Puffy' Combs - Sean "Diddy" Combs has had a strong grip on the music biz since the '90s with the release of "No Way Out." Diddy has since ventured outside of just music with Bad Boy by investing in his TV network Revolt, his apparel line Sean John, his alkaline water brand Aquahydrate and his tequila DeLeon. But nothing is raking in more money than his lucrative deal with Diageo's Ciroc vodka. But who knows what's on the horizon for him after signing a recent deal with L.A. Reid's Epic Records.(Photo: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
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Jay Z - Besides rocking 22 shows with wife Queen Bey, Roc Nation founder and owner boosted his multifaceted resume with several ventures including his Armand de Brignac champagne deal and his new streaming service, Tidal. The Roc Nation roster is filled with a diverse list of artists, from HAIM to J. Cole to Big Sean. Jay served as President and CEO of Def Jam Recordings, where he established the careers of megastars Rihanna, Kanye West and many more before partnering with Live Nation to form Roc Nation.(Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
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Kevin Liles - Kevin Liles is the founder and chief executive officer of KWL Enterprises, a strategic holding company that develops brands and talent, including musicians such as Big Sean, D’Angelo, Estelle, Nelly and Trey Songz. Kevin rose from unpaid intern in '91 to president of Def Jam Recordings by '98, an instrumental story at best. He made a global brand of some of the biggest names in hip-hop and R&B, including Jay Z, Kanye West, Mariah Carey, LL Cool J and Ludacris. By 2004, he joined Warner Music Group as executive vice president.(Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
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Dave Free - The 30 Under 30 President of TDE guided Kendrick Lamar from the streets of Compton to the mainstream world and then finally to the Grammy arena. He pushed Kendrick to becoming the most notable West Coast rapper since the iconic Tupac Shakur. (Photo: Dave Free via Twitter)
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Pusha T - The tables have turned for King Push as he takes on the title of President of G.O.O.D. Music, the brainchild label under Def Jam, created by Kanye West. Pusha T will be more hands on with his work, making sure he gets knee-deep in executive producing projects from the label and helping lead the team's artistic direction. (Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for BET)
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Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds - The 11-time Grammy Award winner's storied career is unlike any other. Babyface put his stamp on the contemporary R&B sound and took his love for music to the next level when he became co-founder, with L.A. Reid, of LaFace Records in 1989. He developed megastars such as TLC, OutKast, Usher and Toni Braxton, who have gone on to make timeless music. Babyface has also earned countless achievements for his extensive songwriting and production for artists like Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Boyz II Men, P!nk and Beyoncé. (Photo: Paras Griffin/BET/Getty Images for BET)