Behind Little Mix’s split from Simon Cowell’s label
Just days before the release of their new LM5 album, Little Mix have split from Simon Cowell’s record label Syco Music.
The girl group (Jesy Nelson, Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards and Leigh-Anne Pinnock) – were discovered on Cowell’s X Factor TV show in 2011.
They had auditioned as solo artists but were rejected at bootcamp. Mentor Kelly Rowland put them together as a band.
As of August 2018, they clocked up four platinum-certified albums and sixteen certified singles in the UK, and also achieved international success including in Australia.
At Cowell’s request, LM5 will be released on November 16 via RCA, a Sony imprint like Syco.
The split came after an “extraordinary row”.
There were issues during the making of the record, with the band frustrated with Syco in recent months.
There were issues of the “musical direction” on the record.
One of these was they wanted a writing credit (but not royalties) on their latest single “Woman Like Me”, which features Nicki Minaj and currently #3 in the UK.
The song was written by Ed Sheeran, Jess Glynne and Steve Mac.
But Little Mix wanted recognition for the fact they contributed some of the lyrics.
They didn’t want any publishing royalties. Cowell had, according to them, taken too long to approve this.
By the time he did, their relationship had broken down.
According to reports, Little Mix sent Cowell a strongly-worded email, raising the issues they had with his label.
Part of the problem was that Sycho has cut ties with Little Mix’s management company Modest Management, and all its acts – including last year’s X Factor winners Rak-Su.
A Syco spokesperson said: “Syco Music will no longer work with Modest Management and therefore any artists signed to that management company.
“We do, of course, wish all artists affected by this decision every future success. “
X Factor winners get a Syco deal as part of their prize but few seem to stay on. Past winners and runners-up as Louisa Johnson, Ella Henderson and Cher Lloyd have left.