Overview
The weekend of the Grammy Awards has become a bevy of parties and celebrations. Not only are the awards given out on Sunday night, but the weekend also includes the MusiCares Person of the Year ceremony (this year going to Bruce Springsteen) and Clive Davis' annual Pre-Grammy Gala.
This year's gala, to be held on Saturday, February 9, will include the presentation of the President's Merit Award to executive and producer L.A. Reid. The honor is in recognition of his significant contributions to the music industry.
Reid's career started in 1969, recording with Pure Essence and, almost a decade later, became a member of the R&B group The Deele.
His executive career started when he and Kenny "Babyface" Edwards started LaFace Records in 1989 under the umbrella of Arista Records. They signed artists that have gone on to lengthy careers including Usher, Toni Braxton, TLC and Outkast.
In 2000, Reid became the president of Arista, taking over for Clive Davis, and signed such artists as Avril Lavigne, Pink and Ciara. Four years later, he became president of The Island Def Jam Music Group where he revived the careers of Mariah Carey and Bon Jovi along with signing Kanye West and Rihanna.
Most recently, Reid spent two seasons as a judge on The X-Factor (which he is now leaving) and became chairman and CEO of Epic Records.
More from VVN Music
Write a comment
L.A. Reid News
![L.A. Reid: I'd love to mass produce stars - L.A. Reid wishes there was a pop star mold, as then he'd "churn them out like f**king Big Macs".The …](http://img3.motolyrics.com/11/71/117139/la-reid-id-love-to-mass-produce-stars-large.jpg "L.A. Reid: I'd love to mass produce stars - L.A. Reid wishes there was a pop star mold, as then he'd "churn them out like f**king Big Macs".The …")
May 25, 2015
L.A. Reid wishes there was a pop star mold, as then he'd "churn them out like f**king Big Macs".The …
December 14, 2012
L.A. Reid has announced he is leaving the US X Factor after just two seasons. L.A. has been …
December 13, 2012
Looks like third time isn't the charm for L.A. Reid, who announced Thursday afternoon (December 13) …
December 13, 2011
Former X Factor contestant Cher Lloyd is set to be massive in America, according to record …
October 13, 2011
L.A. Reid and Simon Cowell have discussed their infatuation with their new reality programme The X …
October 11, 2011
Island Def Jam owner LA Reid has said dropping Lady Gaga was the “worst thing” he had done. Reid …
July 22, 2011
Reid, who famously dumped Lady Gaga from his old record label Island/Def Jam – because he …
June 16, 2011
High-ranking industry execs have been playing a game of musical chairs lately, and in a move that …