The X Factor Judges Antonio L.A. Reid
Antonio “L.A.” Reid was born on June 7, 1956 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Emma Reid, who was at the time an interior designer and seamstress. He started playing drums at an early age, and by high school he was proficient. His nickname came from a fellow band member, who called him “L.A.” because of the Los Angeles Dodgers shirt Antonio was wearing.
Antonio Reid was a member of the marching band at Hughes Center High School, and participated in a talent show called “Merry-Go-Round.” He joined a funk band called Pure Essence and they released a single in the mid 70′s, and Pure Essence became Essence, which later became The Deele. The Deele’s hit, “Two Occasions” came out after the band had already broken up, and in 1989 Antonio Reid and bandmate Babyface Edmonds formed the label LaFace through Artista Records.
L.A. Reid is the one who signed Usher, and worked with Toni Braxton, TLC, and Outkast. In 2000, Reid became president of Arista Records. As President, Reid signed P!nk, Avril Lavigne, and Ciara, and help promote Usher’s career.
In 2004, Reid became the CEO and Chairman of The Island Def Jam Music Group. He had a hand in Mariah Carey’s successful comeback, and helped Jay-Z launch Rihanna’s career, as well as helping Kanye West, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, and Justin Bieber.
In March of 2011, L.A. Reid stepped down as CEO and Chairman of The Island Def Jam Music and will be joining Simon Cowell as a judge on The X Factor.
The X Factor Contestants – Voted Off X Factor
