Rhone Joins Sony

RHONE'S RETURN: It seems we’ve been telling you this for months, but all indications are the Sylvia Rhone to L.A. Reid’s Epic Records is a done deal. “I have the best of both worlds—to finally work with L.A. Reid and launch my own label,” she told the N.Y. Post. The two labels will share staff, with Rhone reportedly retaining a small team of her own. L.A. Reid’s attendance at last week’s Essence Black Women in Music tribute to Rhone appeared to confirm all the previous months’ chatter. The two first worked together for many years at Universal Music Group under current Sony boss Doug Morris. It’s is unclear whether her label will use the Portrait name, as has been reported. (2/14p)