14 DAY TRIAL // Just two months after splitting from her longtime manager, Matthew Knowles, but while still working on her third album, singer Kelly Rowland has been dropped by her record label, sources in the industry claim. On the basis that she is “no longer commercially viable,” Columbia Records dropped Kelly without as much as a notice, it is further being said in the media.
Kelly, who shot to fame as part of the hit band Destiny’s Child, is also a successful singer on her own. Her two solo albums sold a total of over 4 million copies worldwide and were received warmly by critics and fans alike, but that does not seem to be enough for Columbia Records, which has just decided that Kelly is no longer marketable and has ended the contract with her, sources say.
“The Dilemma singer has been dumped by bosses at Columbia, because they fear she is ‘no longer commercially viable’.” TeenMusic writes, citing sources who have spoken about it to The National Enquirer.
The reaction to Kelly’s music is not as it once used to be and, apparently, the record label does not want to take a chance with her third studio material, other music-oriented publications are speculating. Moreover, the label feels that this third album is more like a shot in the dark, therefore it is no longer willing to invest money in it.
As noted above, approximately two months ago, Kelly split from her manager, who was also the man who had helped her rise to international stardom within Destiny’s Child. Although speculations as to the reasons of the split abounded (from personal issues to Kelly looking to have full control over her finances and music), it was an amicable event that presumably left both former collaborators still very civil to one another. A replacement for Knowles was never announced.
“After a very positive meeting between Kelly Rowland and myself, we have amicably agreed to end our professional relationship. My company, Music World, will continue to manage Destiny’s Child as a group. As an artist, Kelly has incredible talent and I only wish her the best. We will always be family first and foremost and as a dad I can only have love for Kelly.” Matthew Knowles said at the time, with his feelings being echoed by Kelly herself.