Sony was done with her. Virgin cut her loose. What’s a pop diva to do? Mariah Carey, who has been without a label since EMI dumped her in January of this year, has agreed to a multi-album deal with Island Def Jam, a division of Universal Music.
Even though her movie and soundtrack, “Glitter,” bombed, the label was not hesitant to sign Carey, who has quite an impressive track record.
“Mariah is an international treasure and when she became a free agent, all of us at Universal saw it as a onetime opportunity since artists of her caliber seldom become available,” said Lyor Cohen, President & CEO of Island Def Jam. “Our approach moves above and beyond the concept of a standard marketing plan by seamlessly integrating a variety of elements that will allow us to be more efficient and effective in our outreach to fans. They will see Mariah in places and ways they’ve never seen before.”
Carey will release an album on her own label, which will be distributed by Island Records. Jerry Blair, who helped Carey get 15 number-one singles, will head up the team at the new label, a press release said.
“Quite simply, Mariah is the greatest singer of our time,” said Blair. “She’s an incredible songwriter, producer and businesswoman. There is no one who has a closer relationship with her fans. The landscape has forever changed in the music business. This situation creates a new template, and is the guarantor of her legacy. It is a logical progression for Mariah to have her own company working in conjunction with the world’s biggest music entity. We will take advantage of every opportunity to connect with music fans around the globe, with every available facet of media.”
“I’m incredibly happy,” said the singer, who is already in the process of recording her new album. “It’s a tremendous and unprecedented opportunity to be working in tandem with Doug [Morris, Chairman and CEO of the Universal Music Group], Lyor and Jimmy [Iovine, Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M], and to have the benefit of their powerful international forces led by Jorgen Larsen. They have collectively helped redefine pop music and I am excited to be part of their family.”
Carey was also in discussions with Warner Music and Clive Davis’ J Records, but opted to sign with Island Def Jam, which hosts such artists as Jay-Z, Ashanti, and Sum 41.
The album she is working on will feature contributions from producers Jermaine Dupri, DJ Quik, and 7 Aurelius, according to MTV.
Carey will make about $7.5 million an album and will make a minimum of three albums under her new yet-to-be-named label, the AP reports.
