After leaving her major label, Iggy Azalea has managed to score a major deal with Empire.
Last week, lauded indie Glassnote Records departed the Universal Music Group family to ink a broad-reaching deal with Kobalt-owned AWAL. Now, there’s another one slipping through the major label cracks.
Iggy Azalea has long ranted against her label, UMG-owned Island Records. The Australian hip-hop artist desperately wanted out of her contract.
Then, two weeks ago, Azalea confirmed her contract had expired. On social media, she gleefully wrote,
“I’m officially unsigned !!!!
Wild you spend so long trying to get IN a record deal… never thought I’d be so elated to be OUT of one.
now I’m free to release whatever kinda music I like, whenever I’d like woooo!”
The move came amidst significant changes at the record label. For starters, Island’s former President and CEO David Massey jumped ship to lead Sony Music’s Arista Records. That departure, coupled with subsequent staffing changes, may have triggered the fallout.
Throughout her career, the rapper has been involved in bitter cultural appropriation feuds with the press and other artists.
Now, Iggy Azalea has signed a deal with a new record label — though not a major. But it’s a big one.
Singing to the tune of $2.7 million.
Azalea has signed a “deal/partnership” with Empire.
She hinted at the deal last week on Twitter, writing,
“Proud to say I literally just signed my new deal/partnership! 2.7mil, can sign others, own my masters + 100% independent – I’m feeling like such a bossy grown a—s b—h today! Time to get back to ME. I’m so grateful & excited…”
Under the multi-year deal, the San Francisco company will “utilize its innovative label services to oversee the release and promotion of Azalea’s highly anticipated new music and forthcoming sophomore album.”
The Australian rapper confirmed her newest album will drop early next year. Producer J White told Variety he will go into the studio with Azalea soon.
Speaking about the deal, Ghazi Shami, Founder and CEO of Empire, said,
“We’re excited to welcome Iggy to the Empire family. Over the years, I’ve admired Iggy’s artistry, honest and direct relationship with her fans and tenacity as a businesswoman. I’m honored that we will have the opportunity to build upon her already exceptional career.”
Yet, don’t expect Iggy Azalea to change following her new deal.
Earlier this week, she mocked rapper Bhad Bhabie for throwing a drink at her.
In a video uploaded on Instagram, she said,
“I get that this little girl has made a name for herself acting a damn fool on television and online, but I’m a grown-up. I’m not about to waste my energy on that s–t or be fighting a kid in a club. Come on.”
She also slammed television host Wendy Williams for defending the 15-year-old rapper. Williams had stated the Australian rapper is “too old to be back and forth” with Bhabie.
“I guess I just feel like if you’re pushing 60 without ever having lived an entire year on this planet where we could deem you attractive let alone a serve with a voice that would make any d–k soft – you should keep it a whole lot cuter on certain commentary.”
Featured image by (CC by 2.0).