Sony Music CEO Rob Stringer made the announcement today that the legendary home to artists like Whitney Houston, Usher, Aretha Franklin and more, is back.

Per a statement issued this morning, it was revealed that industry force Dave Massey, previously of Island Records, will take on the leadership of the newly revived label. Pictured above, alongside Stringer and former Arista head Clive Davis – who was responsible for skyrocketing the label to prominence with the success of Whitney Houston in the 80s and 90s.

Stringer on the move:

“We are excited to be reintroducing the iconic Arista brand as a full major label under the leadership of David Massey. David is a visionary and progressive talent developer and his recent success at breaking new artists around the world only highlights his remarkable consistency of creative success year after year. As well as releasing new music to the world, David will use his vast experience in building new publishing and artist management ventures that will enhance Sony Music’s overall music strategy.”

Massey & Davis chime in:

“I want to thank Rob Stringer for the phenomenal opportunity to return to Sony Music in an expansive new partnership and lead the next chapter of Arista Records. Clive Davis made the Arista name synonymous with tremendous creativity and great songs, and I look forward to continuing that identity by working with the many talented people at Sony to build a new roster of hit artists. I am also excited to join forces with Sony to drive additional growth through artist management and music publishing.”

“I am really delighted to see the Arista name return to a place of prominence under an executive with the talents of David Massey. David is a true music man who has tremendous respect for artistry, and he is the ideal choice to carry on the label’s great tradition.”

A fall-out almost 15 years ago between Davis and Sony’s then-owners BMG saw him leave Arista and establish J Records under the Sony umbrella in 2004 – taking many of his key artists with him. J Records would later fold alongside Arista in 2011 and acts from their respective rosters were spread across Sony’s remaining properties RCA, Columbia, and Epic.

According to the announcement, the label will become an “all-new frontline creative center” within Sony Music led by Massey, who will serve as president and CEO. He will continue to be based in New York and will report directly to Stringer. The announcement also says that: “Massey’s leadership of Arista is part of a new broad-based creative partnership between the hitmaker and Sony Music.”

Do you think this next chapter for Arista will bring more powerhouse vocalists to the forefront or lean more on an urban side?