Welcome to Pure X Factor

The Hollywood Reporter is reporting L.A. Reid is snagged to run the soon-to-be restructured Epic records at Sony Music. What’s more, the new venture will encompass Jive Records and reunite Reid with two artists he discovered and developed: Usher and Pink!! More in a take below which also mentions a possible recording contract with the X Factor which I wouldn’t be surprised of happening. Go L.A.!!!

It’s also anticipated that Reid will steer the company towards more urban releases, which may not bode well for the label’s rock acts, including Incubus, whose first album since 2006, If Not Now, When?, is due out July 12, and Augustana, whose Epic debut was released in April after Ghost’s tenure sidetracked the record.

As for the Jive Records roster, Epic will absorb some of those artists, including Pink and Usher, both originally signed through Reid’s LaFace Records, which entered into a joint venture partnership with BMG-owned Arista Records in 1989. Other marquee Jive acts, like Britney Spears, will likely stay with the RCA half of the former RCA/Jive Label Group. Another name staffers are curious about? Outkast, and whether the duo will reunite with Reid, who ran Arista Records from 2000 to 2004 (during which they won six Grammys), and at long last release new music.

It’s only one of many unanswered questions currently facing the music business as it readies for a massive executive shuffle. Still up in the air is the leadership structure at RCA, with names like Tom Corson and Peter Edge bandied about, plus there’s Sylvia Rhone, whose future at Universal has yet to be determined, though many continue to speculate that Universal Motown will be no more by the end of this week. Might she land at Sony with her mentor and longtime supporter Morris?

And how about the Sony Music recording contract awarded by X Factor? Could the winner end up at Epic under the watchful eye of the person who knows their talent best — the judge offering feedback, however harsh, week in, week out? The show and creator Simon Cowell have yet to announce which label will issue the record deal and astronomical $5 million prize that comes with it — perhaps the latter can come out of Cowell’s petty cash fund.

For now, what we do know is that Reid has beautifully executed a career arc that brings him back to the place where he first made a name for himself and launched two of his most successful and resilient acts. The irony: that after wooing Jennifer Lopez to Island Def Jam, where she’s seen more music buzz with her latest single “On the Floor” than anything she’s put out in the last decade, he’ll now be running the label that essentially dropped her.

It’s being reported by CBBC that Simon taught Nicole how to judge “really fast” when she had a hard time saying “No”. Nicole remarked that she’s been through the auditioning process before, so, she has a good idea on what the contestants are going through. Nicole also speaks of what she is looking for in a winner. More below and at the link.

“I can hopefully be of some service mentoring these contestants, coming from the same place.”

The judge revealed how she plans to keep contestants at ease: “I try to keep a big fat smile on my face so they feel like I’m there for them.”

On what she’s looking for in the winner: “I know the work that I’ve put into where I’ve got where I am today – my entire life – and how serious I’ve taken it and how hard I’ve worked. So I’m really looking for someone like that.”

WSVN in Miami is reporting how two people rocked the house last night at the Miami auditions….a 16 year-old and a 22 year-old. The live audience had a specific job to do. Read on it below as well as their thoughts on L.A. Reid who they are saying is “the meanest judge”. Wow, I’ve got to see this! Be sure to view a video at the link covering yesterday’s X factor auditions in full.

Nicole Scherzinger expects contestants put all of their energy and originality into their performances. “I’m hoping that they flipping bring it,” she said. “We only have a couple of cities left and I really want to be inspired.”

The X-Factor taped the first two of four audition rounds Tuesday, with selected contestants ranging from 12 years old and up. Male, female, groups and seniors all auditioned in front of a live audience.

People who attended auditions said South Florida represented. “There’s two people who rocked the house tonight,” said Denise Henay, “Jasmine, 16-year-old, and there was a 22-year-old, his name is Jeremiah.”

Another attendee agreed with Henay’s opinion. “I saw that little girl and I said, ‘This girl can sing,’” said Elvis Monge. “She opened that mouth, her name is Jasmine. People remember her name, Jasmine from Miami, she rocked the house.”

Before taping the auditions, some audience members suffered from heat exhaustion, thanks to record highs outside.

The live audience is considered the fifth judge, as audience members are encouraged to react to the auditions. “My God, it’s like the Roman Coliseum in there. They’re down, they’re up and they do it to us as well,” said Cowell. “I mean we get a hard time as well, if they disagree with us. They can turn on you, in other words my life is in danger.”

Audience members said that music mogul judge L.A. Reid is the meanest judge. “L.A. Reid was the meanest to me,” said Henay.

He disagrees. “No, I’m not mean at all. I’m a marshmallow. I don’t know, I’m far from mean.”

The Sun Sentinelalso reported on yesterday’s events at the BankCenter in Miami. Here is a take of what they said of some of the contestants and the judging. Much more at the link.

First up was a girl group in their twenties. Next came a 67-year-old condo performer from Parkland. A 13-year-old, whose goal is to be on “Glee,” followed.

(“The X Factor” requested no spoilers on names, who won the judges’ favor, and the songs that were sung, since the auditions will become a show in September.)

Simon is still Simon. “You sucked,” he told one delusional wannabe.

Another, who didn’t score well, asked what he could do to improve. “Sing in tune,” Simon retorted.

It looks like it’s going to be tough season to be a contestant. Reid, a successful record producer, can be just as caustic as Simon. A young man who said he was going to sing, “My Girl” was stopped short by Reid asking, “Anything from this century?”

He piled on after the performance. “I like you … I just don’t like your voice.”

Even Paula had her sharp moments. “You’re not at all at the level we’re looking for,” she told a deflated hopeful.

Scherzinger, a Pussycat Doll, seems to be fitting into the niche Paula used to occupy, the reassuring voice even when she’s not crazy about a performance.

View more pictures of yesterdays arrivals HERE!!!