Island Def Jam executive L.A. Reid officially resigns: Read his letter to the staff here

After seven years of cultivating the careers of Island Def Jam superstars like Rihanna, Kanye West, and Justin Bieber, Island Def Jam Chairman L.A. Reid resigned this morning. In a letter to his staff, Reid explains that he’s “always thrived on growth and the next great challenge, and I look forward with much enthusiasm to what the future holds.” This seemingly sets the table for the record executive to join Simon Cowell as a judge on the new singing competition series The X Factor.

Read L.A.’s full 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

What do you think Reid’s next move will be?

Read more:

L.A. Reid: A Day in the Life of a Music Mogul