Kim Petras has spoken out against her record label, claiming they have “refused” to release her upcoming album ‘Detour’.
The German pop artist shared her frustrations on X, posting a series of messages explaining why she now wants to work independently and has formally asked to be released from her deal with Republic Records.
“My album has been done for six months but my record label has refused to give me a release date or pay my collaborators for the work they’ve done,” she wrote. In another post, she added: “I’m tired of having no control over my own life or career. I want to continue to self fund and self curate my own music. This is why I have formally requested to be dropped by @RepublicRecords.”
Her most recent single ‘I Like Ur Look’ arrived in October last year, while her latest full length album ‘Problématique’ was released in 2023.
She went on to claim that it was not only the album being delayed, but individual songs as well. Posting again on X, she wrote: “I also filmed and self funded a music video over two months ago for my next single that they also wouldn’t give me a release date for.”
Petras continued: “I won a Grammy two years ago…….. the music is TEA. Still no support.” She then added: “If it’s not a TikTok trend or ’80s revival queerbaiting shit these labels have no interest in supporting.”
She ended her posts by suggesting she may release the album herself. “My fans have waited long enough. I love u guys,” she wrote. “I’m dropping ‘Detour’ regardless.”
Republic Records have not yet responded publicly to the claims, and NME has reached out to a representative for Petras for comment.
Following her statements, Kesha voiced her support, writing: “I spent many years fighting for the rights to myself. Watching another woman realise that the ‘golden cage’ is still a cage isn’t a victory it’s a tragedy we have to stop repeating. Freedom isn’t a privilege it’s a birthright. I hear you I’m sorry Kim.”
Kesha previously reached a settlement in her long running legal dispute with former producer Dr Luke in 2023, before going on to launch her own imprint, Kesha Records.
Elsewhere, Petras recently made headlines after offering to send New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani her new album following his public praise of her music.
At the time, she wrote: “Zohran Mamdani I am willing to privately send you my new album if we can get the horse carriages banned from Central Park.”
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