Now here’s something we didn’t expect to hear in December – R&B diva Kelis has leapt away from the impersonal world of the major label and signed with British indie mainstay Ninja Tune. The fact that she’s pursuing independence shouldn’t be a surprise, especially after her last album Flesh Tone failed to fire in the right way, but after Ninja Tune’s year of hoovering up King Midas Sound, Machinedrum and Lee Bannon, we have to say it’s a bizarre (and brilliant) move.
There’s a new album finished too – it’s called Food and has been produced entirely by TV On The Radio’s Dave Sitek, which has to be a good thing. Kelis herself stated: “I’m really happy to be partnering with Ninja Tune on my new record. This is the album I’ve wanted to make for a long time and I want the team around me to be as excited and energetic about it as I am. I’m also very happy to be working with some of the most creative people in the industry.” That’s that then. Merry Christmas to you too Ninja. Food will be released on April 28 via Ninja Tune.