R&B songbird Kelly Rowland is spreading her wings.
For, after releasing two albums on Universal Republic, the ‘Motivation’ maestra is now a free agent.
Details after the jump…
According to CNN correspondent Jawn Murray, the diva departed the label (which is housed under the Universal Music umbrella) way back in December.
Contrary to speculation that suggested the star had been “dropped”, Rowland is said to have requested a release from her contract following the performance of last year’s ‘Talk A Good Game’ – which, though critically acclaimed, has thus far only sold 215,000 copies in total.
According to Murray, though, the 33-year-old’s frustrations with her label home actually stemmed from before the project’s release. Indeed, despite lead single ‘Kisses Down Low’ becoming a radio hit and being certified Gold by the RIAA (a feat few Urban flavoured cuts achieve these days), the project struggled to maintain the very thing that fuels sales — momentum.
The situation is alleged to have become ultra tense when Rowland signed on to be a judge for the third season of ‘The X Factor‘. According to Murray “her team asked the label to release a new single to capitalize off the eight million viewers the show averaged each week. The label chose not to capitalize off of Rowland’s involvement on the show and the singer asked to be released from her contact”.
Interestingly, Rowland only become part of the UR roster due to a structural change that saw most of the artists at Universal Motown (the label she initially signed to in 2010) absorbed into Republic.
As for the singer’s next steps? The report adds that she has been working on her fifth studio album and is already in negotiations with the multitude of labels eager to snap her up. {Source}
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Interesting. Very.
Rather than wallow in the reasons for the split (which we’re sure will differ depending on who one speaks to), we’d rather look to what “could” be a very positive change of environment for Kelly’s career.
For, with any new label deal comes new marketing, new publicists, new A&R’s, new radio pluggers, new everything.
That said, it’s down to Team Kelly to make the right pick to ensure the right fit. It’s an increasingly competitive marketplace, hence ensuring one has the best label home is more imperative now than ever before. Especially for Kelly.
As for where we’d like to see her? That’s simple. Anywhere that’ll ensure she fulfils the potential so clearly embedded in her brand. In terms of specifics, the instalment of industry vet and active Rowland supporter Syliva Rhone as President at Epic Records today comes at an “interesting” time, as does the upcoming launch of the official Roc Nation record label.
Still, in echoing the point above, we’re simply keen to see Kelly anywhere that’ll ensure her solo star and stock continue to rise.