Over the last three decades, one music producer and record man has transformed the business, discovering and producing some of the greatest acts in pop music history, including Toni Braxton, Kanye West, Rihanna, TLC, Outkast, Mariah Carey, Pink, Justin Bieber, and Usher. At the helm of four celebrated and innovative music labels--LaFace, Arista, Island Def Jam, and Epic--LA Reid set his sights on finding one star after the next, and then worked behind the soundboard to create some of the most unforgettable hits of the last two generations. Now, for the first time, he tells his story, taking fans behind the scenes of his rise to record business stardom. He chronicles the journey from his small-town R & B roots in Cincinnati, Ohio, to his fame as a Grammy Award-winning producer to his gig as a judge on the hit reality show The X Factor. With fascinating insight into his process of scouting new talent, Reid also offers a detailed look at his involvement with the artists he's mentored into legends--from the beginning of their rises to that critical moment when he knew they would be the next big thing. What emerges is a captivating portrait of the inner workings of the pop music machine, and the story of a man climbing to the top on passion and raw talent alone, a multifaceted genius who continues to shape our culture to this day.--Adapted from dust jacket.
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