Tiara Thomas, the guitar-playing, rhyme-spitting singer/songwriter who helped make Wale's "Bad" a hit single, has signed a record deal. The Indianapolis native joined Rico Love's Division 1 label under the Interscope Geffen A&M umbrella.
“I’m extremely excited about Tiara Thomas being a member of the Division 1 family," Love said in a statement. "She’s an amazing talent, phenomenal vocalist, and one of the most creative songwriters I’ve heard in a while. We’re anxious to see how the world receives her. We have no doubt that they’ll love her as much as we do."

Love is a singer/songwriter himself, who has written and produced for Grammy-winning songs for Beyoncé ("Sweet Dreams") and Usher ("There Goes My Baby") and has lent vocals to tracks with Usher, T.I. and Jermaine Dupri among others.

Thomas originally wrote "Bad" for Rihanna at Wale's behest (Ri recently did the remix), and she released a solo version — with Rico Love's stamp — which premiered on Miss Info TV last week.
The 23-year-old was rumored to be signing to Maybach Music but chose to go with Love instead. "She did what she felt was to her best interest, and I guess that's what all people going to do," Wale said in an interview. The two are continuing to work together and already have a couple of new songs in works.
Thomas is also working on her Sallie Mae debut, expected this year.

Get ready for the BET Experience, featuring Beyoncé, Snoop Dogg, R. Kelly, Erykah Badu, Kendrick Lamar and many more. Go here for more details and info on how to buy tickets. Sign-up now to attend free film screenings, celebrity basketball games and more.

BET.com is your #1 source for Black celebrity news, photos, exclusive videos and all the latest in the world of hip hop and R&B music.

Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

(Photo by: Lloyd Bishop/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)