Sample L.A. Reid’s Career Through A Playlist Of His Artists

February 23, 2016 at 6:27 pm

Here are some of the top songs from some of the biggest stars discovered by — or whose careers received a boost from — L.A. Reid. Watch the first of his two-part interview about his highs and lows in the music industry.

Usher, "Yeah!"

Reid signed Usher when he was just 14 years old. Since then, the artist's six album releases have sold 65 million unites worldwide.

OutKast, "Hey Ya!"

Reid signed the OutKast members when they were 16 years old.

TLC, "Waterfalls"

"People who didn’t listen to songs like ‘Waterfalls’ missed that they dealt with HIV, violence, real cultural things," Reid wrote in his new book.

Whitney Houston, "I Will Always Love You"

Reid says he felt like he "failed" Houston after watching her infamous 2002 interview with Diane Sawyer, during which she proclaims "crack is whack."

Mariah Carey, "Shake it Off"

The song appears on Carey's comeback album, "The Emancipation Of Mimi," which Reid helped guide.

P!nk, "Don't Let Me Get Me"

The singer's lyrics actually take a "jab" at Reid, as The L.A. Times put it.

Rihanna, "Pon De Replay"

When he first met Rihanna, Reid was also looking at another female vocalist whom he thought would the bigger star.

Justin Bieber, "Baby"

"I could see immediately that Justin's hair would be every bit as important as his songs," Reid says in his book.

Kanye West, "Stronger"

"The truth is, beneath the persona that Kanye projects, there is a sweet, insecure artist who is eager to prove that he works hard at being great," Reid said.

Meghan Trainor, "All About That Bass"

According to Billboard.com, Reid signed her "after hearing her sing 'Bass' while playing the ukulele."