S. Samuel
Former Rostrum Records rapper Mac Miller reportedly has the major labels chatting and looking to get him under their wing months after he became a free agent.
While details are scarce, reports claim Miller has sparked interest from multiple contenders.
Indie hip-hop artist Mac Miller is said to be shopping for a deal with a major and encountering some interest. The former Rostrum artist, newly repped by managers Ron Laffitte (Pharrell, OneRepublic) and Rich Egan, scored #1 and #3 debuts, respectively for his albums Blue Slide Park (2011) and Watching Movies With the Sound Off (2013); he’s moved 760k+ albums overall and nearly 5.5 million singles. Miller also guested on Ariana Grande‘s smash “The Way,” which sold 2 million. He’s been collaborating intermittently with Pharrell on an EP, Pink Slime, that’s been the source of much online chatter. (HITS Daily Double)
Recently, Miller’s former labelmate Vali spoke to SOHH about his exit.
“We still text. He dyed his hair pink. [laughs] So we’ve been texting about that,” Vali told SOHH referring to Miller’s recent hairdo change. “We’re still family. I respect him and everything that he’s doing with his movement and his project. He’s been signed to Rostrum for a while and they really helped him get his projects off the ground. His contract was up and I think he just wants to explore his life and do other things. I know he travels a lot now. He was in Australia the other day. I just think he wants to be more global with his brand. And sometimes you have to leave home and you can’t stay home forever.” (SOHH)
Back in mid-January, Miller promised there were no problems and his business decision had nothing to do with his personal relationship to the label.
“Rostrum is my family. That is forever,” Miller said in an exclusive joint statement issued to MTV News on Tuesday (January 14). “No matter what, we will always work together. We moved mountains and I can only see them continuing that tradition. I am grateful for everything I learned and am always here for whatever.” (MTV)
Miller’s run at Rostrum Records began in summer 2010 courtesy of his K.I.D.S. underground project.
His K.I.D.S. mixtape became his breakthrough when it was released in August of 2010, earning plenty of attention from hip-hop blogs and landing Miller a recording contract with Rostrum Records. Rostrum released his debut EP On and On and Beyond, and his debut album, Blue Slide Park in 2011. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. The more experimental effort, Watching Movies with the Sound Off, followed in 2013 with left-field hip-hop names like Action Bronson, Earl Sweatshirt, and Flying Lotus lending a hand. (All Music)
