Ezekiel Lewis is an American record executive who has been the CEO of Epic Records since March 2026. Prior, he served as Senior VP of A&R at Motown from 2011 to 2017, and held a similar title at Epic from the latter year to 2023. He is also the founder of the music publishing company Bar Music Group, as well as the production collective the Clutch.
Early life and education Lewis grew up in Montgomery, Alabama. Lewis graduated from Morehouse College.
Career Lewis signed with David Foster’s 143 Records as a musician after graduating from college. He served as a composer for Luther Vandross’s Grammy-winning album Dance with My Father, which was released in 2003.
In 2004, Lewis co-founded songwriting and production collective The Clutch, crafting songs for artists such as Mary J. Blige, Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, Omarion, Fantasia, Jennifer Lopez, Ciara, and Timbaland. Notable credits from this period include Mary J. Blige’s Grammy-winning 2005 classic The Breakthrough,. "Freakshow" and “Radar” from Britney Spears' 2007 opus Blackout, and Justin Bieber's 2009 triple-platinum hit “One Less Lonely Girl.”
He worked closely with R&B singer Trey Songz, contributing to his first album I Gotta Make It in 2005.
Lewis founded the music publishing company Bar Music Group in 2010.
The company represents a number of artists, songwriters and producers including John “SK” McGee (Future, Trey Songz, Pusha T, Kevin Gates) and Najja McDowell (Trey Songz’ “2 Reasons” featuring T.I., “Simply Amazing” and “Dive In”). He started to climb the label ranks in 2011, when he was named Senior Vice President of A&R at Motown Records in 2011. While at Motown Records, he worked on music by artists such as Ne-Yo, Lil Yachty, and T.I.
With a knack for sniffing out hits and lifting great artists to new heights, in 2017, Lewis was appointed Executive Vice President of A&R at Epic Records. In this capacity, he worked on music with artists such as 21 Savage, the Black Eyed Peas, Future, and Meghan Trainor. He also contributed to Mariah Carey’s 2018 album Caution. He did production work on Kevin Hart’s Grammy-nominated 2018 comedy album What Now?
Lewis also spearheaded major comebacks for the Black Eyed Peas and Meghan Trainor. The exec helped guide Black Eyed Peas on their 2020 album Translation, which included the smash hits “Ritmo (Bad Boys for Life)” and “Mamacita.” which were included in Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart.
Additionally, he shaped Meghan Trainor’s 2022 album Takin’ It Back, which produced the viral smash "Made You Look." During this period, he also A&R'd Giveon’s 2022 album Give or Take.
In 2023, Lewis was appointed President of Epic Records, shepherding the likes of rising pop stars Madison Beer and Zara Larsson to massive success. He was also named to Billboard’s Power 100 List and was honored at the Creative Community for Peace’s fifth annual Ambassadors for Peace event. The accolades continued in 2024, Lewis being named Billboard Executive of the Week for his work on Tyla’s song “Water.”
In March 2026, he was promoted to be the CEO of Epic Records.
Select Discography YearArtistWorkCredits2001Ezekiel LewisRider like me - on Osmosis Jones SoundtrackSinger2003Luther VandrossDance With My FatherComposer2005Trey SongzI Gotta Make ItComposer2005Mary J. BligeTake Me As I AmComposer2006Jagged EdgeJagged EdgeComposer2006The Isley Brothers / Ronald IsleyBaby Makin' MusicProducer, Vocal (Background), Voice Arrangement, Vocal Producer, Composer2006Omarion21Composer2007Kevin MichaelKevin MichaelComposer2007MarioGoComposer2007OmarionIce BoxComposer2007Britney SpearsFreakshowCo-writer2007Britney SpearsRadarCo-writer2007Keke PalmerSo UncoolComposer2008AmerieBecause I love YouComposer2008Danity KaneAnonymous Hit PackComposer2008Danity KaneWelcome to the DollhouseComposer2008Donnie KlangJust A Rolling StoneComposer2008The Pussy Cat DollsDoll DominationComposer2008Tiffany EvansTiffany EvansComposer2008Britney SpearsCircusComposer2008Jesse McCartneyDepartureDrum Programming, Vocals (Background), Songwriter, Composer2009GinuwineA Man'sThoughtsVocal Producer2009Keril HilsonIn a Perfect WorldComposer2009Justin BieberMy WorldComposer, Producer2009Chris CornellPart of MeComposer2009Various ArtistsPunk Goes Pop, Vol. 2Composer2009Chris CornellScreamVocals (Background), Composer2009Noel GourdinAfter My TimeComposer2009Britney SpearsCircusComposer2009Justin BieberOne Less Lonely GirlComposer2010Justin BieberMy Worlds AcousticComposer2010Justin BieberMy WorldsComposer2010Trey SongzPassion, Pain & PleasureComposer2010Piano Tribute PlayersPiano Tribute to Justin BieberComposer2010JaheimAnother RoundComposer2010Ronald IsleyMr. IComposer2011Britney SpearsB in the Mix: The Remixes, Vol. 2Composer2011Justin BieberChartbuster Karaoke Gold : Justin BieberComposer2011Various ArtistsClubbers Guide 2011Vocal Producer2011Various ArtistsIbiza Annual 2011Vocal Producer2012Trey SongzChapter VComposer2012The OMG GirlzWhere the boys AtComposer2012Britney SpearsFemme Fatale/CircusComposer2013Britney SpearsIn the Zone/CircusComposer2013Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas AlbumThe Florida FilesA & R composer, Producer2013B. SmithThe Florida FilesComposer2014Trey SongzTriggaComposer2015Kevin RossDreamComposer2016Kevin RossPush It On MeComposer2017Kevin RossLook UpComposer2018Chris CornellChris CornellComposer, Backing Vocals2020Black Eyed PeasTranslationsComposer
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