Bell Tolls For Arista Records

Sources confirmed to Billboard that most of the Arista Records 170 staffers will be let go as the label folds into BMG’s sister divisions. The downsized label would retain a small A&R and marketing staff but be placed under the RCA Music Group banner. It’s widely thought that the LaFace-affiliated acts, including OutKast, Usher, Pink, and Cee-Lo will be transferred to Jive. while Sarah McLachlan, Dido and Avril Lavigne would shift to RCA, and Whitney Houston, Kenny G and rap newcomer J-Kwon would go to J Records.