Alicia Keys is going independent.
With the release of her eighth studio album KEYS, the 15-time Grammy winner has officially fulfilled her recording contract with Sony Music and is now an independent artist.
“I’m so excited because KEYS is actually the last album I have on a major label,” she announced during a conversation with Genius on Twitter Spaces.
Alicia signed to J Records, a division of Sony, 20 years ago and released her 2001 debut Songs in A Minor, which catapulted her to superstardom and earned five Grammys.
She received congratulations from her “Empire State of Mind” collaborator JAY-Z, who was a surprise guest during the Twitter Spaces chat.
“Congratulations first of all, that’s an accomplishment,” said Hov. “The fact that you were signed to a label for 20 years is an amazing thing in itself, but the fact that you were able to complete your contract, not many people have been afforded that. That rarely happens for someone to maintain relevance through a contact like that.”
Swizz Beatz also congratulated his wife on the accomplishment. “Congrats my Love this is Big Big Big News and you deserve it to the MAX! 20yrs of greatness ! groundbreaking and unforgettable moments ! I love that you have this freedom at this time in your life it’s rare!!!!” he wrote.
Alicia’s final album under RCA/Sony, KEYS, was released Dec. 10 and featured collaborations with Lil Wayne, Pusha T, Swae Lee, Khalid, and more.