© Getty Images

Lady Gaga -

Stefani Germanotta, otherwise known as Lady Gaga, had to deal with disappointment in her early career. She was dropped by her first label, Def Jam Recordings, after just three months.

© Getty Images

Lady Gaga -

The music video for Gaga's 2011 single 'Marry the Night' tells the story of her being dropped by Def Jam Recordings and subsequently signed by the label Interscope. 

© Getty Images

Katy Perry -

The 'I Kissed a Girl' singer Katy Perry was also let down by her label early in her career. She was dropped by Columbia Records after she had completed 80% of her debut album. 

© Getty Images

Katy Perry -

Being dropped by Columbia Records was one of many setbacks in the singer's early career, and after this disappointment she worked at an independent A&R company for a while.

© Getty Images

50 Cent -

Curtis James Jackson III, better known as 50 Cent, is another iconic artist who was dropped by Columbia Records during the early stages of his music career.

© Getty Images

50 Cent -

He initially signed with the label while he was in hospital after being shot nine times, but he was subsequently dropped and blacklisted by the industry because of his song 'Ghetto Qu'ran.'

© Getty Images

Mariah Carey -

Mariah Carey's US$80 million record deal with Virgin Records was bought out for US$28 million after the sales of her album 'Glitter' had been disappointing.

© Getty Images

Mariah Carey -

After being dropped by Virgin Records, the 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' singer almost immediately signed a deal with Island Records and spent five months in Italy writing new material. 

© Getty Images

Azealia Banks -

The '212' artist Azealia Banks has had a very fraught history with record labels, and she took to Twitter many times to beg for release from her former label, Universal. 

© Getty Images

Azealia Banks -

She was granted her wish in July 2014 when the contractual relationship was ended. She went on to release music under her own label, Azealia Banks Records. 

© Getty Images

Bruno Mars -

After growing up in Hawaii, a fresh-faced Bruno Mars moved to Los Angeles in 2003 to pursue a music career. In 2004 he was signed by the infamous Motown Records.

© Getty Images

Bruno Mars -

Mars was dropped by Motown Records after less than a year, but he had soon signed a record deal with producer Steve Lindsey and Cameron Strang of Westside Independent.

© Getty Images

Cher Lloyd -

After the release of her second studio album 'Sorry I'm Late,' British singer and 'The X Factor' graduate Cher Lloyd was removed from the website of her label Epic.

© Getty Images

Cher Lloyd -

This led many people to believe she had been dropped by the label, although rumors were never confirmed. What we do know is that she signed a deal with Universal later that year. 

© Getty Images

Destiny's Child -

Before they were Destiny's Child, Beyoncé, Kelly, and Michelle called themselves Destiny and were signed to the label Elektra Records for a while.  

© Getty Images

Destiny's Child -

The label dropped them after just a few months, before they were able to release their debut album. The trio then went on to sign with Columbia Records.

© Getty Images

Elbow -

The now hugely successful English band Elbow have had to overcome a number of setbacks during their career. They were released by not only one, but two record labels.

© Getty Images

Elbow -

The band was initially signed to Island Records and recorded their first album there, but when Island sold out to Universal they were dropped. They were also dropped by V2 in 2006.

© Getty Images

Glasvegas -

The Scottish band Glasvegas parted ways with their major label, Sony, after sales of their second album, 'Euphoric Heartbreak,' were disappointing.

© Getty Images

Glasvegas -

The group went on to sign a deal with BMG, with whom they recorded a third album, but again sales were disappointing compared to their first album. 

© Getty Images

Johnny Cash -

In 1986, the country music mogul was dropped by Columbia Records after a 26-year working relationship. The label had decided he wasn't bringing in enough cash. 

© Getty Images

Johnny Cash -

After he was dropped by Columbia Records, Cash had a number of stints with different labels, including an unsuccessful period with Mercury Records from 1987 to 1991.

© Getty Images

Morrissey -

The relationship between Morrissey and his label, Harvest Records, went up in flames shortly after the release of his album 'World Peace Is None Of Your Business.' 

© Getty Images

Morrissey -

In protest of their difficult relationship, his band members then went on stage wearing shirts that read 'F*** Harvest.' The label then began selling these on their website. 

© Getty Images

Octavian -

British rapper Octavian was dropped by his label, Black Butter Records, in November 2020 after allegations that he had been physically abusive towards his ex-partner.

© Getty Images

Octavian -

Although he denied all allegations, the label nonetheless cut all ties with the rapper and released a statement recommending that he seek professional help. 

© Getty Images

The Stooges -

The Stooges, otherwise known as Iggy and the Stooges, are another group that was dropped by Elektra Records. This time it was because the band's drug abuse was affecting their work.

© Getty Images

The Stooges -

Fortunately for the group, shortly after they were dropped by Elektra Records, they met David Bowie, who set them up with another record deal. 

© Getty Images

The Wanted -

In December 2013 there were rumors that British boy band The Wanted were about to be dropped by their label, Universal, after their third album was wildly unsuccessful. 

© Getty Images

The Wanted -

How the relationship actually came to an end remains unclear, but the band did announce in January 2014 that they would be taking a break to go in solo directions.

(Vice) (CBS) (Gigwise)

See also: Artists who ditched their record label

© Getty Images