North West Signs to Father's Record Label

- North West has announced that her debut album will be titled *Elementary School Dropout*, a direct homage to her father's 2004 critically acclaimed debut, *The College Dropout*. - This is not her first official foray into music; she was a featured artist on the song "TALKING / ONCE AGAIN" from her father's collaborative album with Ty Dolla $ign, *Vultures 1*. That track debuted at number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100, making her one of the youngest artists to ever appear on the chart. - The label, Gamma, was founded in 2023 by former Apple Music executive Larry Jackson and has financial backing from investors including Todd Boehly and Apple itself. The company's stated mission is to focus on Black culture and structure deals that are more favorable to artists. - Gamma's roster includes a mix of established and rising artists such as Usher, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, Sexyy Red, and Mariah Carey. - Kanye West also has a partnership with Gamma for his 12th studio album, *Bully*, which is a distribution deal rather than a traditional long-term contract. - Previously, Kanye West founded his own record label, GOOD Music, in 2004, which launched the careers of artists like John Legend, Kid Cudi, and Big Sean. - North West joins a long line of celebrity children who have pursued careers in music, including Miley Cyrus (daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus), Willow Smith (daughter of Will Smith), and Jakob Dylan (son of Bob Dylan). - Beyond recording, she has been gaining performance experience, including a live rendition of "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" at the Hollywood Bowl's 30th-anniversary concert for *The Lion King*.