Blake Lewis joins pioneering hip-hop label Tommy Boy; new album due in October

"American Idol" finalist Blake Lewis has caught his second wind.

Despite being dropped by his label Arista, Lewis is releasing a second album, this time around with Tommy Boy Entertainment.

Lewis's new label may be a better fit. Tommy Boy is home to such hip-hop pioneers as the godfather of hip-hop, Afrika Bambaataa, De La Soul and Digital Underground.

The new album from Lewis, the Bothell native who's known for his flair for beat-boxing, is called "Heartbreak on Vinyl," and due out on Oct. 6. The first single, "Sad Song" will hit radio this month. (Lewis Twittered a snippet last week: listen at http://ow.ly/gZLR.)

Like his debut album, the sound will fuse electronica, dance and pop. Collaborators include: production duo S*A*M & Sluggo (Fall Out Boy, Panic! At the Disco), Dave Audé (Pussycat Dolls), Rodney Jerkins (Lady GaGa, Britney Spears) and Jean Baptiste (will.i.am, Black Eyed Peas).

Lewis sold more than 350,000 units of his debut album, "Audio Day Dream," which had mixed reviews at best, but climbed the Billboard 200 to No. 10.

For more on Lewis, go to www.blakelewisofficial.com.

Marian Liu: 206-464-3825 or mliu@seattletimes.com