Van Hunt and EMI split, new album without a label

Last Friday, Paste received a notice from Blue Note Records stating that the label would not be releasing Van Hunt's upcoming third album, Popular. After inquiring further, we received the following statement from a publicist at Capitol Records, which, like Blue Note, is owned by EMI Music:

"Van Hunt and EMI/Blue Note Records have mutually agreed to part ways.

Van Hunt would like to sincerely thank EMI for their support over the years. With everyone's commitment and dedication from both Capitol Records and Blue Note Records, Hunt has enjoyed incredible critical acclaim as well as multiple Grammy nominations and a Grammy win. Plans are currently being made for the release of Van Hunt's third CD, 'Popular;' the label to be announced."

Popular was formerly slated to appear in stores on Jan. 15 via Blue Note. Hunt's previous two albums, Van Hunt and On the Jungle Floor, had arrived on Capitol Records. In an interview published in the current issue of Paste, Hunt had this to say on his relationship with the music industry:

“I have a temper I could learn to sit on a little better. It has certainly surfaced in dealing with the business of music. Every day, somebody in the business wants me to change something about who I am so they can have an easier time dealing with me. There are evidently lots of people who would like to see Van Hunt become a little more like everybody else. That’s not going to happen.”

As Capitol's statement mentions, no new label or release date is set for Popular. Blue Note's official website for the album is still online, however. We'll have more on this story as it develops.

Related links:
VanHunt.com
EMIMusicPub.com
Paste: Van Hunt - Lost Soul

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