Harlem-based rapper Azealia Banks has signed a major record deal with Universal Records according to a post through her official Twitter account, making it her second record label after she left XL Recordings on bad terms.
The Sound of 2012 nominated star had been unsigned for around a year, hindering her ability to release tracks as anything other than free downloads through her website. She’s been working on a debut album with Adele producer Paul Epworth for the past couple of months, and with her new record deal, she’ll finally have the means to release it.
Banks tweeted last night: “God just dealt me a new hand today a reaaaaaaaaaaallllly good hand. I am now officially signed to Universal Music. Wow I just wanna drink a million bottles of champagne and do a million bell kicks right now. Album in May? June possibly?”
She then went on to refer to her old label XL Recordings, with whom she left her post on sour terms. “Gonna go pop up at @xlrecordings and do the Harlem shake in the foyer. Then me and @richardxl are gonna hug it out and play connect four.”
Her decision to leave XL came less than a year after signing a deal with the company, who boasts such big names as Adele and Tyler, The Creator. She said of the break up: “Richard [Russell] was cool, but as soon as I didn't want to use his beats, it got real sour. He wound up calling me 'amateur' and the XL interns started talking shit about me. It just got real fucking funny. I was like, 'I didn't come here for a date. I came here to cut some fucking records.' I got turned off on the music industry and disappeared for a bit. I went into a bit of a depression.”
If you’re a fan of Azealia Banks, you can check her out at a show in London, or on the NME Awards Tour, where she’ll be supporting Two Door Cinema Club. If you want tickets, check the dates and details below.
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