Award winning UK Hip-Hop artist Estelle has inked a deal with John Legend’s Homeschool label and Atlantic Records and is preparing a new album set for a February 2008.
Estelle is one of the most respected British Hip-Hop artists.
She also produces and runs her own independent label, Stellar Ent. Her album The 18th Day spawned hit singles like “1980,” “Free” and “Go Gone.”
She was also voted best newcomer at the 2004 MOBO Awards.
“I have known John for a while now…we worked on my first album The 18th Day before he was signed,” Estelle told AllHipHop.com in a statement. “He featured on ‘Hey Girl,’ played piano on ‘Free,’ and appeared in the video. As I went to do my second album I asked him to help exec-produce it. As I progressed with it, I left my label and he said he’d sign me and here we are today.”
Superstar rapper Kanye West will also be featuring on the album, as the two have collaborated on a track called “American Boy.”
The first single off of the album will be “Just a Touch,” which is produced by will.I.am.
Estelle, who will be touring with Amy Winehouse in the United States this September, was excited to reunite with John Legend.
“We always make great songs together,” Estelle said. “While I like and listen to a lot of musicians – there aren’t many I respect on a level to help me write songs or upgrade/push me as an artist…but John is one of them.”
