Beatboxing Blake Scores Record Deal
Once again, Blake Lewis finds himself right behind Jordin Sparks.
One week after the sixth-season American Idol champ inked a deal with Jive Records, the beatboxing runner-up has scored his own recording contract with 19 Recordings/Arista Records.
The label announced Friday that Lewis is already working on his debut album "with a stellar lineup of producers and songwriters." No word yet on a title, but the album is slated for release in "late 2007."
"Blake has a strong music sensibility and knows who he is and what his music should represent," says Clive Davis, chairman and CEO of BMG Label Group, Arista's parent. "His collaborators are all knocked out by him."
Lewis, 26, has been working in the studio in between dates on the American Idols Live! tour. The road show kicked off July 6 and runs through Sept. 22.
"I love performing, so spending the summer on the road has been a great experience," says Lewis. "But I'm also enjoying my time in the studio, and I'm very excited about recording my debut album. I'm thrilled to be working with 19 Recordings and Arista Records."
Lewis, whose Idol renditions of Bon Jovi's "You Give Love a Bad Name" and the Zombies' "Time of the Season" have already landed on the Billboard Hot 100, is teaming with some certified hitmakers in the studio. Among those pitching in on Lewis' debut: Jonathan "JR" Rotem, who has produced tracks for Rihanna (including her chart-topping "SOS") and Sean Kingston; Ryan "Alias" Tedder, who has worked with Timbaland; and S*A*M & Sluggo, who have worked with the up and coming Gym Class Heroes and Boys Like Girls.
Idol creator Simon Fuller was confident Rotem et al would be able to harness Lewis' unique vocal skills and translate them into a hit.
"Blake is one of the most unique Idol contestants I've ever seen," said Fuller. "He brought something new to the competition and won fans all over America. I know they're going to love his first album, because it shows him off as his very best."
With Lewis at work, Sparks is ready to be played. Her latest single, "Tattoo," was released on AOL's PopEater music blog Friday and to radio stations Monday.
Meanwhile, tryouts for the seventh season of American Idol are winding down. There were auditions in Miami Wednesday and the final round is scheduled for Monday in Philadelphia.
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