Jennifer Hudson has been signed to an exclusive contract with Epic Records. The deal was announced today by Epic Chairman and CEO LA Reid, following up Hudson’s tribute performance of Prince’s “Purple Rain” at the 16th annual BET Awards.
Collaborating as executive producers on Hudson’s upcoming Epic Records debut will be Reid and Clive Davis, Chief Creative Officer, Sony Music Entertainment. This will mark the first time that Reid and Davis have collaborated in nearly a quarter-century, since working together on Whitney Houston’s all-time best-selling The Bodyguard soundtrack album of 1992. At that time, Davis was President of Arista Records, and Reid headed LaFace Records and was a go-to producer with partner Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds.
"Jennifer Hudson is the defining voice of this generation,” said Reid. “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!"
Read More: FEATURE STORY: Managing Yourself with Eesean Bolden, VP A&R of Epic Records
"I signed Jennifer in 2007 believing her to be the strongest candidate as the next generation's Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston," said Davis. "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," said Hudson. "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!”
Multiplatinum artist Jennifer Hudson, who also paid tribute at the 54th annual Grammy Awards® in 2012 to Whitney Houston (the day after her death), gave the BET Awards ceremony its climactic moment with “Purple Rain,” singing in front of an orchestra led by Stevie Wonder on keyboards and Tori Kelly. Adding to the occasion, Hudson was wearing the same memorable white hooded tunic that Prince wore the last time he was at the awards spectacular. To see the performance, visit bet.com/video/betawards/2016.
For more information, visit jenniferhudson.com or epicrecords.com.
