Via Billboard/Allindstrom

After 17 years, “Big” Jon Platt will be leaving EMI Music Publishing, a source close to the situation confirmed to Billboard.biz today. Reportedly he made the announcement to his staff this afternoon.

Over the years, he has signed Kanye West, Jay-Z, Diddy, Beyonce, Drake, Usher, Ludacris and many others to the company.

The news ends months of speculation about what Platt’s next move might be, with some rumors seeing him joining former boss Martin Bandier at Sony/ATV and others landing him in an Ethiopia Habtemariam-type dual label/publisher role at Warner Music.

His last day at EMI will be Friday, when he’ll lead the EMI Music Publishing team picking up the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Award for Publisher of the Year for the 18th year in a row.

Platt is expected to make an announcement about his future in the next month, the source said. Billboard.biz will have more on this situation as it develops.