Idris Elba has been dropped by his record label, Parlophone, after his album Idris Elba Presents mi Mandela, failed to soar in the charts.
The 42-year-old Luther actor, who signed to the record company less than a year ago, has revealed his music was "not commercial enough" for the company.
Speaking at the British Film Institute in London, Elba said: ''The label dropped me after this album.
''It's a risk to make a record with an actor and not everyone's going to believe in that. In an industry that's suffering, they have to put their money with the winners.''
He added: ''It's not commercial enough. Labels are suffering, there's not a number one record on it - how do they justify spending money on it? I get it.''
When asked if he will continue making music, Elba said: ''If I didn't get signed again, it wouldn't stop me making another album. I'd just find another way to fund it.''
