Entertainment
Rebecca Ferguson announces retirement from music as she plans to ‘fight for better treatment’ of artists
Rebecca will quit music after her next album (Picture: WireImage)
Rebecca Ferguson has announced her plans to retire from music so she can focus on campaigning for ‘better treatment’ of artists in the industry.
The I Hope singer told her social media followers that she will release one more album before quitting music for good.
‘My final album will drop next year and will be a combination of songs I have written over the past 10 years,’ she then told the Daily Star. ‘After my retirement, I will dedicate my time and energy into helping and nurturing emerging artists and fighting for better treatment.’
In her Twitter announcement, Rebecca said: ‘10 years today I released my first album Heaven…
‘A young woman telling her story through songs, this album took me around the world and changed my life! I am grateful to all of the people involved! We created a classic album that is still listened to today.’
She added: ‘I look forward to concluding my career with my next album a follow on from this album (Heaven pt 2). I am grateful for the career I have had in music, I’ve achieved all that I ever wanted to achieve in music I’m now excited for my next chapter.’
Over the past year, Rebecca, 35, has used her platform to raise awareness for the mistreatment she has experienced within the music industry, but that also continues to happen for others.
She recently joined a protest in Parliament Square where campaigners called for a Bill that ensures artists are paid fairly for streams of their music. The Bill, which is backed by the Musicians’ Union and The Ivors Academy, would allow performers the right to receive a share of their streams without reference to their label contracts.
In April, Rebecca urged performers not to fall victim to a ‘slave mentality’ and spoke about the need to protect the welfare of entertainers.
‘“Don’t bite the hand that feeds you?” You are right, our talent has fed them!’ she wrote. ‘Mortgages, Holidays, Yachts… and they were ungrateful and they took it for granted! It is a luxury to make a living from another’s talent! So make sure respect and honour is shown!’
The Glitter & Gold singer added: ‘Artists you are a gift to the world here to share your ART! You are to be respected and treated like the gold that you are! Don’t ever again have a slave mentality take back your power! They exist because of you and they fear the day you realise it!’
Rebecca later revealed that she once suffered a miscarriage but was ‘forced’ to work through the ordeal.
The singer shot to fame on The X Factor in 2010 and went on to release four top 10 albums, including her 2011 debut Heaven which reached number three.
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