Sony Music relaunches Arista Records with hitmaker David Massey

Sony Music Entertainment CEO Rob Stringer has announced the relaunch of Arista Records under the leadership of highly regarded music industry executive David Massey.

 The legendary label will become an all new frontline creative center within Sony Music led by Massey who will serve as President and CEO of Arista. Massey is based in New York and reports directly to Stringer.

 Massey’s leadership of Arista is part of a new broad-based creative partnership between the hitmaker and Sony Music. In addition, Sony Music and Massey have entered into a new joint venture for Massey-led artist management and music publishing businesses.

 Commenting on the announcement, Stringer said “We are excited to be reintroducing the iconic Arista brand as a full major label under the leadership of David Massey. David is a visionary and progressive talent developer and his recent success at breaking new artists around the world only highlights his remarkable consistency of creative success year after year. As well as releasing new music to the world, David will use his vast experience in building new publishing and artist management ventures that will enhance Sony Music’s overall music strategy.”

 “I want to thank Rob Stringer for the phenomenal opportunity to return to Sony Music in an expansive new partnership and lead the next chapter of Arista Records. Clive Davis made the Arista name synonymous with tremendous creativity and great songs, and I look forward to continuing that identity by working with the many talented people at Sony to build a new roster of hit artists. I am also excited to join forces with Sony to drive additional growth through artist management and music publishing,” stated Massey.

 Founded by Clive Davis in 1974, Arista Records is among the most storied labels in the history of the recorded music business and previously served as the home to numerous iconic artists, including Whitney Houston, The Kinks, Patti Smith, the Grateful Dead, Carlos Santana, Barry Manilow, and Aretha Franklin.