Iggy Azalea has called on record labels to hire in-house psychologists in a bid to protect the mental health of their artists.
The rapper, 31, took to Twitter on Sunday to address the industry's executives, singling out Lucian Grainge, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group, and Rob Stringer, chairman of Sony Music Group and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment.
She started her thread: "I REALLY WISH record labels would all agree to make it mandatory to hire at least ONE psychologist per label.
"Almost EVERY artist in recent times has expressed struggling with the level of hate & pressure. Sports teams do it for their athletes, why not music labels?"
Azalea went on: "Also yes it may seem like 'But there's so many labels!' There's actually only about 4 guys running the entire music business so it would be pretty easy to hold them accountable and make them implement a change across their businesses."
"Lucian Grainge is at the top of that list," she wrote, before adding in a follow-up tweet: "Rob stringer is also on the list, why isn't he doing anything."
"Between these two guys that's literally like 85% coverage across the labels. See what I'm saying?" Azalea added. "It's not hard to actually do this. Why won't they do it? But have like 20 deep teams of A&Rs that literally no one even wants in the studio."
Newsweek has contacted representatives for Lucian Grainge and Rob Stringer for comment.
In July, "Fancy" hitmaker Azalea—real name Amethyst Amelia Kelly—announced that she would be taking an extended hiatus from music following the release of her aptly-named latest album, The End of an Era.
She stated on Twitter: "'End of an Era' is so special to me because after I drop my album next month I am going to take a few years to focus on other creative projects and things I'm feeling passionate and inspired by, beyond music. I'm excited for you guys to see different sides to me in the future."
Also yes it may seem like
— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) August 16, 2021
“But there’s so many labels!”
There’s actually only about 4 guys running the entire music business so it would be pretty easy to hold them accountable and make them implement a change across their businesses.
"Shifting my energy and focus to what I'm most excited about is what is right for me and I hope you'll continue to support whatever creative projects I'm out here doing!" Azalea added. "I really love this album and I just want my fans to enjoy this with me. I hope I see so many of you on tour!"
Discussing the album, the Australia-born star told Billboard earlier this month: "For me The End of an Era is a two-pronged thing.
"One, it obviously references the fact that it's kind of like an adventure of the last decade, for me drawing inspiration from past projects and just referencing the 'era' as in the decade but also a nod to the fact that it's a last hurrah... it's probably the last project I'm going to put out musically, so it's the end of a chapter of my life."
Last month, Azalea used her platform to speak out in support of her Britney Spears—with whom she collaborated on the 2015 track "Pretty Girls"—at the height of the pop star's conservatorship battle with her father, Jamie Spears.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Ryan Smith is a Newsweek Senior Pop Culture and Entertainment Reporter based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on ... Read more
