Breaking News: Mariah Carey Returning To Sony Music!!!! L.A. Reid Bids Farwell to Def Jam Staff

Here’s LA Reid’s farewell letter to his staff at Def Jam. Sources tell me he’s heading to Sony Music–and of course “X Factor”– come this summer. And you heard this here first too: Mariah Carey will join him and Doug Morris back at Sony in 2012. She has one album left on her UMG contract, and she’ll release it before the end of the year. First she has to release those twins, due in two to three weeks.

“Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate and doubt, to offer a solution everybody can

understand.” -Colin Powell

To my Island Def Jam family:

After much consideration, I have decided to leave my position as Chairman of the Island Def Jam Music Group. I have always thrived on growth and the next great challenge, and I look forward with much enthusiasm to what the future holds.

I am extremely proud of our beautiful roster and all we have accomplished in my seven years with IDJ. We continue to have incredible success together with today’s most phenomenal superstars – Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, Bon Jovi, Jennifer Lopez, Ne-Yo, Rick Ross, The Killers, The-Dream, Chrisette Michele, Jeezy and Ludacris to name a few.

I want to thank all of you for your amazing contributions.

With Warm Regards -

LA

It's Official: L.A. Reid Joins Simon Cowell as 'X Factor (US)' Judge

As reported yesterday, Rumors about L.A. Reid joining Simon Cowell's X Factor (US) are now official!
He's mentioned as one of the confirmed three judges who would join Simon Cowell on "The X Factor (US)". THR's sources said "it's a done deal" for Reid who would be released from his contract with Universal Music earlier in order to concentrate on the show.

The show is partnering with Sony Music in giving the winner a recording contract worth $5 million. It is believed that Reid is to land a position at the recording company which will undergo a major management restructuring when current UMG chairman Doug Morris sits as its CEO on July 1.

Cowell said recently that the official announcement would be made this week. Some names which have emerged as the possible candidates are Paula Abdul, George Michael, Mariah Carey and Nicole Scherzinger. "We've taken it down to a smaller group of people and she's in that panel," Cowell confirmed earlier this month about Paula. "But, you know, it's more than me who makes the decision."

Auditions for "The X Factor" begin March 27 in Los Angeles.

L.A. Reid Set To Judge U.S. "X-Factor", Leaving Def Jam For Sony?!

L.A. Reid is indeed set to become Simon Cowell's first pick for one of four judged for the new U.S. "X-Factor."
And that's not all.  He's switching up his other day job as head of a major record company-- in a major way.  Details when you read on...
Simon Cowell is bringing his other mammoth UK singing competition tv show, "X-Factor," here to the U.S. this fall.  And insiders connected to the show tell us producers are heavily interested in the current Def Jam head honcho L.A. Reid to be one of the 4 judges. They believe this will be the major move that will establish L.A. as a household name.
While Simon's Fox shows "American Idol" and "X-Factor" are similar in nature, "X-Factor" differs because each of the four judges mentor a group of contestants throughout the season.  And the judges do everything in their power to make sure the winner of the entire competition comes from their group.
There have been speculations for months that L.A. was being scouted for the position.  Now, we're told L.A.'s new job is a done deal, but it's being kept on the hush because there are issues with him currently working for a competing label.