Kelly Rowland has been in and out of the studio prepping her first album since parting ways with Columbia Records and Mathew Knowles’ Music World Entertainment earlier this year. One of today’s most sought-after hitmakers, Rico Love, spoke to staging-rapup.kinsta.cloud about his involvement with the Destiny’s Child alum’s third solo album.

“I’m actually going to be doing the majority of her record,” reveals the songwriter behind Beyoncé’s “Sweet Dreams” and Mario’s “Thinkin’ About You.” “I did three records for her album so far and she’s touring right now.”

The host of Bravo’s “The Fashion Show” won’t have much downtime during her holiday vacation as there are plans to complete the follow-up to 2007’s Ms. Kelly by January. “I believe we’re going to finish the album over the Christmas break,” says Love, whose latest work includes Leighton Meester’s first single “Somebody to Love” featuring Robin Thicke.

Rowland is reportedly close to finalizing a new deal with EMI Music, home to David Guetta, LeToya Luckett, and Snoop Dogg, but an official announcement has yet to be made. “I believe she’s doing her deal right now. She’s in the process of closing a pretty big deal. I don’t think she’s going to say yet. She’s got the No. 1 song in the world with David Guetta, ‘When Love Takes Over.'”

Her latest gig comes in the form of playing 50 Cent’s love interest in the video for “Baby by Me” off the rapper’s new album Before I Self Destruct.

–Reporting by Monique Balcarran