Sing to Me: My Story of Making Music, Finding Magic, and Searching for Who's Next

LA Reid · Joel Selvin

feb 2016 · Harper Collins

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In this long-awaited memoir, illustrated with over 100 never-before-seen photos from his personal collection, the groundbreaking record producer chronicles his struggles, his success, and the celebrated artists that made him a legend.

Over the last twenty-five years, legendary music producer and record man LA Reid—the man behind artists such as Toni Braxton, Kanye West, Rihanna, TLC, Outkast, Mariah Carey, Pink, Justin Bieber, and Usher—has changed the music business forever. In addition to discovering some of the biggest pop stars on the planet, he has shaped some of the most memorable and unforgettable hits of the last two generations, creating an impressive legacy of talent discovery and hit records.

Now, for the first time, he tells his story, taking fans on an intimate tour of his life, as he chronicles the fascinating journey from his small-town R&B roots in Cincinnati, Ohio, and his work as a drummer to his fame as a Grammy Award-winning music producer and his gig as a judge on the hit reality show, The X Factor. In Sing to Me, Reid goes behind the scenes of the music industry, charting his rise to fame and sharing stories of the countless artists he’s met, nurtured, and molded into stars. With fascinating insight into the early days of artists as diverse as TLC, Usher, Pink, Kanye West, and Justin Bieber, his story offers a detailed look at what life was like for stars at the start of their meteoric rise and how he always seemed to know who would be the next big thing.

What emerges is a captivating portrait from the inside of popular music evolution over the last three decades. Part music memoir, part business story of climbing to the top, this beautifully designed book, jam packed with photos, showcases Reid's trademark passion and ingenuity and introduces a multifaceted genius who continues to shape pop culture today. 

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Antonio “LA” Reid has been a key figure in shaping the sound and experience of popular music for over twenty-five years—as a record producer, songwriter, and label executive. Reid first broke into the music world in the 1980s as the drummer for the R&B band the Deele. Along with bandmate Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Reid made his move behind the scenes of the industry in 1989 when he founded LaFace Records. Prior to becoming chairman and CEO of Epic Records in July 2011, Reid also served as chairman of the former Island Def Jam Music Group from 2004 to 2011 and as president and CEO of Arista Records from 2000 to 2004.

Reid’s excellence in the music world is not limited to his work as an executive. Winner of eighteen BMI Awards, he’s also a talent in his own right. Reid has produced and/or co-written dozens of number one singles and has won three Grammy Awards. He has been presented with numerous acknowledgements, including UNICEF’s Spirit of Compassion Award, the Recording Academy’s President’s Merit Award, and the prestigious Harvard University Alumni Award for Excellence in Media and Entertainment. Reid lives in Manhattan with his wife, Erica, and his two children Arianna and Addison. He has three grown children, Antonio, Ashley, and Aaron.