John Mayer is leaving Columbia Records after 21 years, the singer-songwriter revealed on Instagram Friday (March 4).
“After 21 years, eight studio albums, and some wonderful personal and creative relationships, I have decided not to renew my recording agreement with Columbia Records,” Mayer wrote. “Hard as it is to say goodbye, I’m excited to pursue new avenues of making music, both of my own and with other artists. I love music more than ever, and I believe some of my best work still lies ahead.”
Mayer arrived at Columbia via his original record deal with Aware Records, which at the time had a marketing and distribution agreement with the major label. Columbia went on to release a total of eight albums by Mayer, including the five-times platinum Room for Squares in 2001, three-times platinum Heavier Things in 2003, four-times platinum Continuum in 2006 and two-times platinum Battle Studies in 2009. His most recent release on the label was last year’s Sob Rock, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Albums Sales chart.
Overall, Mayer has charted three albums at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 (Heavier Things, Battle Studies and Born And Raised) and has enjoyed seven top 20 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, including “Say” (No. 12), “No Such Thing” (No. 13) and “Waiting on the World to Change” (No. 14).
Mayer also seven Grammys while on Columbia, including the 2004 award for Song of the Year for “Daughters” and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for “Your Body Is a Wonderland,” “Daughters,” “Waiting on the World to Change” and “Say.”
Mayer, who is currently touring in support of Sob Rock, did not say what his future plans are for a recording partner — whether he plans to self-release or team with another label — and his rep declined to comment. Columbia could not be reached for immediate comment.
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