Rihanna Leaves Def Jam for Roc Nation

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Industry News, Hip-Hop & Rap, Pop,

Rihanna is preparing to release her next album with Roc Nation after leaving Def Jam.

The "Diamonds" singer, who was already being managed by Jay Z's record label, has now inked a deal and her profile on Roc Nation's website has been updated, which lists her as one of their big name acts.

Rihanna first signed her record deal with Def Jam in 2005, when she was just 17, and claims then-label-president Jay Z wouldn't let her out of his office until she put pen to paper. Since then, she has released all seven of her chart conquering albums with the label, including 2011's Unapologetic, despite Jay Z leaving his role to start up Roc Nation in 2009.

Rihanna had already parted ways with her former manager Marc Jordan and signed with Jay's Roc Nation management team in 2010 but it now appears she is also signed to the label.

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50 Cent Signs with Indie Label

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Industry News, Upcoming Releases, Hip-Hop & Rap,

50 Cent will release his next album on an indie label.

The "Candy Shop" hitmaker has severed ties with Eminem's Interscope imprint, Shady Records, after 12 years and will now be working with Caroline, a music distributor owned by Universal, starting with his album Animal Ambition, which is due out on June 3.

"I recorded so many album quality songs that I'm going to put the Animal project out as my viral marketing plan and then [Street King] will come out after. [Animal Ambition] is about prosperity ... ambition and prosperity," the star said in a statement.

The 38-year-old rapper has sold millions of albums for Interscope, including 15-million copies of his debut record, but the star's relationship with the label has been difficult since 2009's Before I Self Destruct, which failed to conquer the charts.

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The Smiths Never Wanted Factory Records Deal

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Gossip, Industry News, Rumors, Rock,

Johnny Marr insists that The Smiths would have only signed to Factory Records over his "dead body."

The guitarist claims rumors they were refused a deal by Tony Wilson's famous label in the 1980s were a "crock of sh*t" and the band preferred being signed to London's Rough Trade.

"If you were a musician in Manchester at that time, it was almost the law that you went on your hands and knees and begged Tony Wilson for his papal blessing to stick you in the studio, and I wasn't about to do that. So much has been made of Factory apparently turning The Smiths down, but that's a crock of sh*t. The Smiths would have signed to Factory over my dead body ... I didn't want to be assimilated into the Factory aesthetic. Before we knew it, we would've had side-partings and khaki shorts, with bongos round our necks ... No disrespect to A Certain Ratio," he told NME.

The musician also said The Smiths - including Morrissey, Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce - looked like a band "all the f***ing time" and their jeans were specially manufactured by their manager, Joe Moss.

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Lorde Signs $2.5 Million Deal

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Industry News, Upcoming Releases, Electronic, Pop,

Lorde has signed a $2.5 million publishing deal.

The 17-year-old singer, whose track "Royals" hit number one in both the UK and America, has landed a contract with Songs Music Publishing. "She's going to be a really big songwriter outside of Lorde. She's going to have a lot of big songs out there as Ella [Yellich O'Connor], she's a once-in-a-generation type artist," President Ron Perry told Billboard.

The record company is also said to be keen for the brunette star to collaborate with its other artists, including Diplo and The Weeknd, as well as writing songs for others.

Lorde is the first New Zealand singer to score a number one in the US and her track has been in the top spot for six weeks, while her album Pure Heroine has spent five weeks in the top ten. Lorde is also the youngest female chart-topper in the US in the past 25 years and her hit song is still in the top five in the UK.

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Paris Hilton Signs to Cash Money Records

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Industry News, Dance, Electronic, Pop,

Paris Hilton has signed to Cash Money record label.

The 32-year-old heiress - who released her debut album Paris in 2006 - will release a house music album later this year and has already recorded a single with Lil Wayne.

"Welcome@ParisHilton to tha Family. RichgangRichgirl. YMCMB (sic)," Cash Money's Birdman tweeted.

Paris replied, "@BIRDMAN5STAR Thanks BO$$! Happy to be a part of the family. (sic)." She also posted a link to a YouTube video, writing, "Love this song I recorded with @LilTunechi. Love Lil Wayne, he is so amazing! Can't wait for our new song! (sic)."

(FYI - You can also follow Albumista on Twitter.)

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Prince Signs New Record Deal

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Industry News, Pop, R&B / Soul,

Prince has signed a new record deal that will also help promote upcoming talent.

The "Purple Rain" hitmaker - who famously changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol in a row over musical rights with former label Warner - will allow Kobalt Music Group to market and distribute his future work, but won't lose control of his rights. Prince, 54, will also have the opportunity to provide artist development and recording services for Kobalt's newly-signed artists.

"This new venture gives Prince the flexibility and freedom he's always sought in a label partner. We're providing a high level of diverse services that will be particularly customized to his vision for each release, allowing the world to experience more music from Prince and his creative community," Kobalt President Richard Sanders said in a statement.

Traditional labels often take ownership or part-ownership of an artist's material and decide how it is used, but Kobalt - which was established in 2000 - launched an artist and label services division last year, allowing their talent to maintain ownership of their work and control over when, how and where they will release music.

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Daft Punk Land a New Record Deal

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Upcoming Releases, Dance, Electronic, Pop,

Daft Punk have signed a new record deal. The French dance duo - Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo - are rumored to be releasing their first album in eight years in May after inking a deal with Columbia Records.

The "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" hitmakers returned to the studio last year to begin work on a fourth studio album - a follow-up to 2005's Human After All - with disco producer Nile Rodgers.

Speaking about the sessions, Nile said, "All I can say is those guys are geniuses and to think that after all these years we've been trying to get together, they just show up at my apartment in New York City and the vibe between us is so powerful and so strong - it's unbelievable. Spiritually and artistically working with them was as good as anything I've ever done. It's as great as being in a studio with [David] Bowie, it's great as being with Bernard Edwards, and it's as great as the best stuff I've ever done with Duran [Duran] or Madonna."

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Video: Gwyneth Paltrow Talks Record Deal

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Artist News, Gossip, Rumors,

Gwyneth Paltrow has been showing off her singing chops lately, and everyone’s taking notice. According to the movie star, she’s currently “talking about” a record deal. Watch the video above to see what Paltrow has to say about her music industry future.

Read More | Huffington Post

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Jay-Z Signs The Ting Tings

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Upcoming Releases, Alternative, Pop,

Jay-Z is preparing to give The Ting Tings a career boost in the US. The “That’s Not My Name” duo have just signed with rap superstar’s record label, Roc Nation, for their second album.

“Jay is hoping to lend his production skills to some of the new material,” a source told Britain’s Daily Star. “The Staccato rhythmic style of The Ting Tings sits well with what he does best, so that was the attraction. Jay can make them one of the biggest bands across the pond.”

While the duo are thrilled with their deal, they are unlikely to be happy with the amount of time they will have to spend in America.

The group - made up of singer and guitarist Katie White and drummer and programmer Jules de Martino - recently said despite their huge success, they have been homesick since they started touring the world in support of their debut album We Started Nothing in May 2008.

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Read More | Daily Star

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