Singer Amerie is set to undergo a career overhaul - after signing a deal with the record label which turned Rihanna into an international superstar.

The 1 Thing hitmaker has parted ways with Columbia Records and inked a deal with Def Jam, the company that secured the massive track Umbrella for Rihanna last year, catapulting her to global fame.

And Amerie, who has previously released two albums to moderate success, is hoping the new contract with Def Jam will help boost her career to even greater heights.

A source tells Britain's Daily Star newspaper, "Amerie's first two albums did well, but she's ready to step it up a gear now."

"She was offered a deal too good to turn down and the promise to build upon her reputation for classy and sexy R+B."