Just days after Kelly Clarkson announced she’d be parting ways with RCA for Atlantic records, Jennifer Hudson announced big news of her own. After three albums with Arista/J Records and RCA, the American Idol 3 alum has signed an exclusive contract with Epic Records.
“Jennifer Hudson is the defining voice of this generation,” Epic Chairman and CEO L.A. Reid said in a statement. “Her award-winning presence on records, in film, and on stage establishes her as one of the premiere artists to emerge in this century. I’m enjoying collaborating with my friend and mentor Clive Davis on Jennifer’s first Epic album and excited for her fans to hear what we’re up to… all will be revealed soon!”
Notably, the label move is lateral, as both RCA and Epic fall under the Sony Music umbrella. In fact, Reid, is co-executive producing the album with Sony Music Entertainment Chief Creative Officer Clive Davis. According to Billboard magazine, the two are working together for the first time since Whitney Houston’s 1992 smash soundtrack, The Bodyguard.
“I signed Jennifer in 2007 believing her to be the strongest candidate as the next generation’s Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston,” Davis said. “She has become that, as LA and I excitingly reunite to capture Jennifer at her all time best.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to embark on this new chapter with two of the most prolific musical legends of this generation,” Jennifer said. “There is no doubt that this is just the beginning of a very special collaboration and I know that the result will be something unforgettable. I am looking forward to the creative process and sharing new music very soon!”
