Singer/songwriter India.Arie has partnered with Universal Republic Records to launch her own imprint dubbed Soulbird Music.

"In this era, soul is not a sound or a color, it's an intention," the songstress said in a statement. "That's the kind of music I want SoulBird to represent: music with intelligence and heart, music that moves people in their souls and their bodies. Music with wings."

Arie's longtime friend and musical collaborator Anthony David will be the first artist to release an album under the new label. David's major-label debut 'Acey Deucey' is due in stores on June 17. "I love his music for how he speaks from a man's emotional perspective in relationships, and his views on learning about life as a young man of the hip hop generation," Arie said in a statement when discussing David's upcoming project.

The album's first single, 'Words,' featuring Arie, is due to hit radio on April 15.