Kelly Rowland Amicably Parts Ways with Columbia Records as a Solo Artist

The Grammy-winning R&B/pop superstar Kelly Rowland will no longer be recording with Columbia Records as a solo artist, it was officially announced today by the label.

Rowland, a founding member of Destiny's Child, the world's top-selling female group, will continue her relationship with Columbia Records in her ongoing role in the iconic ensemble.

"Because Columbia Records has been my home base as an artist for more than a decade, the decision to move out on my own required a lot of soul-searching," said Kelly Rowland. "As a solo artist, I felt the need to explore new directions, new challenges, and new freedoms outside my comfort zone and my friends and family at Columbia have been incredibly understanding about my evolution. I want to thank everyone at Columbia for the love and support they've shown and I will never forget how many good times we've had over the years."

"Kelly Rowland is one of our finest contemporary artists and a musical force to be reckoned with," said Rob Stringer, CEO, Columbia/Epic Label Music Group. "It has been a privilege and a pleasure to work with Kelly and we will continue our working relationship with her under the Destiny's Child moniker. The decision for Kelly to seek other opportunities for her solo career was agreed upon mutually, and any reports to the contrary are false."

Singer, songwriter, performer, recording artist and actress Kelly Rowland rose to fame as one of the original members of Destiny's Child, the #1 female pop group of all-time. In 2002, during a hiatus with the group, Kelly released "Simply Deep," her first solo album featuring the #1 international smash single, "Dilemma," a duet with the rapper Nelly which earned Kelly her first Grammy Award outside Destiny's Child. In addition to selling more than 50 million records worldwide with Destiny's Child, Kelly Rowland has sold more than 4 million copies globally of her two solo albums: 2002's "Simply Deep" and 2007's "Ms. Kelly," which included the international #1 chart-topping single, "Work."

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SOURCE: Columbia Records

CONTACT: Yvette Noel-Schure of Columbia Records,
yvette.noel-schure@sonymusic.com