Atlantic Records Confirm Lil' Kim Departure

Atlantic Records bosses have confirmed rapper Lil' Kim has quit the label after more than 10 years on their books.

The company has issued a statement making her departure official and insisting they parted on good terms, according to Allhiphop.com.

It reads, "We wish Lil' Kim the best of luck in all of her future endeavours."

Lil' Kim - real name Kimberly Jones - released all four of her previous albums on Atlantic and her forthcoming Lp, which was due to hit shops in February has now been tentatively scheduled for April or May this year.

It had been rumoured the hitmaker left the label in order to release her music independently but Jones has also been linked with a possible move to Imperial Records - the home of Fat Joe.