L.A. Reid’s Def Jam Farewell Letter…next stop, Simon Cowell’s “X-Factor”?

(left to right: Diddy, L.A. Reid, Kanye West, and Jay-Z)

After months of speculation, and rumors of a slow ouster starting last year…Island Def Jam Chairman and storied music biz man L.A. Reid has officially resigned his post. On Wednesday, the Hollywood Reporter cited sources at Simon Cowell’s new TV talent show “X-Factor” who confirmed that Reid would be Cowell’s first co-judge. (Other rumored judges include Cowell’s former American Idol tablemate Paula Abdul) Along with this pending move to Hollywood, Reid also has a stake in the high end cosmetic line “Le Métier de Beauté” (which I love, btw.) and a recording compound in Atlanta.

Many in the industry, and even within IDJ, wonder what other changes will follow. But most agree that a period of flux is unavoidable with an upcoming merger of Def Jam and Universal, and an unavoidable redistribution of execs and artists between the merged label and it’s counterpart, Interscope.

Read Reid’s farewell letter to his staff…
After the jump

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