These days, the element of freedom for Alicia Keys looks like the absence of contractual obligation to a major record label.
Details inside:
Keys – hot on the promo trail for her latest album ‘KEYS’ – was joined by ‘Empire State of Mind’ co-star JAY-Z Tuesday (December 21) to discuss a number of music business hot topics including the state of the industry at large, the influence of streaming, and their respective legendary careers.
The discussion, hosted on Twitter Spaces (a platform reminiscent of Clubhouse), saw Alicia wax honest about her outlook on the future of how she’ll release music amid reports the ‘KEYS’ project isn’t garnering the commercial response afforded to its predecessors.
During the nearly 2 hour chat, the 40-year-old stunned when she casually announced she would likely be taking the independent route for her yet-to-be-released ninth studio album.
“‘KEYS’ is actually the last album that I have on a major label, so I’ve been with this same label for 20 joints – [even back to 2001’s] ‘Songs in A Minor’ – and ‘KEYS’ reflects the very last record,” she said. “I’m super proud and I’m super blessed, not only for the longevity but just for like I said the love and the passion that remains and maintains.”
JAY-Z – who also switched from releasing projects on major labels later in his career – praised the R&B diva for the transition.
“Congratulations…that’s an accomplishment in itself,” he started. “The fact that you were signed to a label for 20 years is an amazing thing in itself, but the fact that you were able to complete your contract, not many people have been afforded that.”
*****
Click PLAY RECORDING below and skip to the 20:14 mark to hear her announcement: