Lorde Now an Independent Artist After UMG Deal Expires
The New Zealand performer has been with the major since the age of 12
Lorde has revealed she is officially an independent artist, with her long-running contract with Universal Music Group (UMG) coming to an end.
Breaking news:
The New Zealand artist revealed the news in a voice memo she published on Tuesday.
In it she explains she first signed a development deal with UMG at the age of 12.
Though stating that the label boasts “incredible people, and I had an amazing experience with them,” she adds: “But the truth is that a 12 year old girl pre-sold her creative output before she knew what it would be like, and before she knew what she was signing away.”
Backstory:
Lorde came to international attention with her 2013 debut album Pure Heroine, released when she was 16.
It featured global hit “Royals,” which won a GRAMMY for Song of the Year.
Since then she has released three albums, 2017’s Melodrama, 2021’s Solar Power, and 2025’s Virgin.
She was recently announced as a headliner at this year’s Lollapalooza in Chicago.
What they said:
Lorde: “I’m sure I’ll have a deal again, could well be with Universal, but I knew that I needed to take a second to have nothing being bought or sold that comes from me.”
👋 Disclosures & Transparency Block
This story was written with information from The Hollywood Reporter.
We covered it because it’s news of a major career move for Lorde.
