Overview

In this long-awaited memoir, the groundbreaking record producer chronicles his struggles, his success, and the celebrated artists that made him a legend. Legendary music producer L. A. Reid-the man behind artists such as Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton, Kanye West, Rihanna, TLC, Outkast, Pink, Justin Bieber, and Usher-changed the music business forever. Now, he tells his story, taking fans on an intimate tour of his life. Sing to Me is a fascinating journey from Reid's 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. Reid takes readers behind the scenes of the music industry, charting his rise to fame and sharing stories of the countless singers he's met, nurtured, and molded into stars. Part music memoir, part inspirational business guide, this beautifully designed memoir showcases Reid's trademark passion and ingenuity and introduces a multifaceted genius who continues to shape pop culture today.

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9781504695107

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Reviews

Recounts the highlights of his illustrious life as a supremely successful music producer...With a keen understanding of today's pop music and its major influence on its listeners around the globe, Reid's optimistic, soulful memoir mirrors the timeline of contemporary music culture with all of its peaks and valleys. -- Publishers Weekly Dion Graham narrates L. A. Reid's memoir...Throughout, Graham conveys the mix of toughness, sensitivity, and love for the work that has characterized Reid's career. Graham creates voices for the family, friends, and celebrities who populate Reid's life and drops into more sedate tones for vulnerable moments, as when Reid talks about his grief after a friend's suicide. An enlightening portrait and an enjoyable look behind the scenes of the music business. -- AudioFile 'I always know in a few seconds.' Music mogul Reid reveals the secrets of the producer's trade...He worked hard to learn as much as he could about that business and eventually stepped from behind the drum kit to take the lead first as a producer, then as a label owner, and then as an executive for the biggest hit makers...Throughout, Reid conveys his love of music and his open-minded search for new talent, no matter what the genre...An entertaining, thoughtful account of the music business, one that would-be machers will want to study closely. -- Kirkus Reviews

Dion Graham narrates L. A. Reid's memoir...Throughout, Graham conveys the mix of toughness, sensitivity, and love for the work that has characterized Reid's career. Graham creates voices for the family, friends, and celebrities who populate Reid's life and drops into more sedate tones for vulnerable moments, as when Reid talks about his grief after a friend's suicide. An enlightening portrait and an enjoyable look behind the scenes of the music business. -- AudioFile 'I always know in a few seconds.' Music mogul Reid reveals the secrets of the producer's trade...He worked hard to learn as much as he could about that business and eventually stepped from behind the drum kit to take the lead first as a producer, then as a label owner, and then as an executive for the biggest hit makers...Throughout, Reid conveys his love of music and his open-minded search for new talent, no matter what the genre...An entertaining, thoughtful account of the music business, one that would-be machers will want to study closely. -- Kirkus Reviews Recounts the highlights of his illustrious life as a supremely successful music producer...With a keen understanding of today's pop music and its major influence on its listeners around the globe, Reid's optimistic, soulful memoir mirrors the timeline of contemporary music culture with all of its peaks and valleys. -- Publishers Weekly

'I always know in a few seconds.' Music mogul Reid reveals the secrets of the producer's trade...He worked hard to learn as much as he could about that business and eventually stepped from behind the drum kit to take the lead first as a producer, then as a label owner, and then as an executive for the biggest hit makers...Throughout, Reid conveys his love of music and his open-minded search for new talent, no matter what the genre...An entertaining, thoughtful account of the music business, one that would-be machers will want to study closely. -- Kirkus Reviews Dion Graham narrates L. A. Reid's memoir...Throughout, Graham conveys the mix of toughness, sensitivity, and love for the work that has characterized Reid's career. Graham creates voices for the family, friends, and celebrities who populate Reid's life and drops into more sedate tones for vulnerable moments, as when Reid talks about his grief after a friend's suicide. An enlightening portrait and an enjoyable look behind the scenes of the music business. -- AudioFile Recounts the highlights of his illustrious life as a supremely successful music producer...With a keen understanding of today's pop music and its major influence on its listeners around the globe, Reid's optimistic, soulful memoir mirrors the timeline of contemporary music culture with all of its peaks and valleys. -- Publishers Weekly

Author Information

L. A. Reid, after leaving high school to pursue a career in music, found success with his R&B group, Deele. After the group disbanded, he and his ex-bandmate Kenneth Babyface Edmonds co-founded LaFace Records with Arista Records. As the head of LaFace, Reid broke ground for African American pop artists and helped establish the now-famous music scene in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2004, he became the chairman and CEO of The Island Def Jam Group, and in 2011, he signed on as CEO and chairman of Epic Records and as a judge on The X Factor. Joel Selvin is an award-winning journalist who has covered pop music for the San Francisco Chronicle since 1970. Selvin is the author of the bestselling Summer of Love and coauthor, with Sammy Hagar, of the number one New York Times bestseller Red. He has written twelve other books about pop music. Dion Graham, from HBO's The Wire, also narrates The First 48 on A&E. Winner of more than a dozen Earphones Awards and the prestigious Audie Award for best narration, he has performed on Broadway, off Broadway, internationally, in films, and in several hit television series. His performances have been praised as thoughtful and compelling, vivid and full of life.

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