Maybe Jennifer Hudson’s tribute to Prince at the BET Awards on Sunday was simply a precursor to this news: today (June 28), it’s been announced that JHud has signed a new contract with Epic Records!
Since leaving Arista/J Records and RCA, this puts her in the hands of L.A. Reid and Clive Davis who will share executive producer duties on her next album, the first time since they collaborated on Whitney Houston’s The Bodyguard soundtrack.
They must be planning on something huge for Hudson!
“Jennifer Hudson is the defining voice of this generation,” said Reid in a press 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!”
Davis added, “I signed Jennifer in 2007 believing her to be the strongest candidate as the next generation’s Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston. She has become that, as LA and I excitingly reunite to capture Jennifer at her all time best.”
Hudson added, “I couldn’t be more excited to embark on this new chapter with two of the most prolific musical legends of this generation. 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!”
She dropped her third studio album JHUD in 2014, but if I recall correctly, it didn’t make a huge splash, so L.A. and Clive on her upcoming project definitely means major push and major intentions to propel her to the top.