Azealia Banks Signs to Universal Music

by RJ Cubarrubia, N.Y. | January 18, 2012 4:20 EST

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Azealia Banks

Rising MC/singer Azealia Banks has signed to Universal Music. The 20 yr. old Harlem native announced her deal today (Wed., Jan. 18) on Twitter. "God just dealt me a new hand today I reaaaaaaaaaaallllly good hand [sic]," Azealia tweeted. "I am now officially signed to Universal Music."

The "212" rapper was formerly signed to XL Recordings, but the partnership ended unceremoniously. Banks then made her struggles with XL public, admitting to Contact Music, "It was almost the day I signed to XL that they started checking out. There were a good seven to eight months where I was just sending them texts and no-one would say anything or pick up the phone or respond to my emails. Nothing. And it started to ruin me."

Banks also dropped some hints on the release date of her upcoming debut album, tweeting, "Album in May? June possibly?" She is set to perform at Coachella in April and will kick off a U.K. tour on Feb. 7.