R&B star Labrinth has explained his decision to sign with Simon Cowell’s Syco label.

The 22-year-old, real name Timothy McKenzie, became the first non-talent show act to sign with the music mogul in 2010, a fact that he told The Sun instantly appealed to him:

"I loved the idea of being with SyCo and being the only urban artist with them. I like being the odd kid. The label drop artists every day and they micro-manage every act they work with. But they have changed their attitude with me.

"At first, they didn't realise I wanted to do everything myself as a musician, singer and producer. I went to No1 with Pass Out and then top three with my first single Let The Sun Shine, so they didn't need to change what wasn't broke."

The ‘Earthquake’ singer, who recently left the door open for a collaboration with The Wanted, also claims that he has a good working relationship with his label boss:

"Every time I see him we have a cigarette and a couple of drinks. Simon believes in what I'm doing — he tells me to be myself and be honest.

"The best advice Simon has ever given me is, 'Don't sleep with a woman you don't want to have a child with.'"

Labrinth's current single, 'Last Time,' charted at number four on Sunday, with its parent album, 'Electronic Earth' due for release on Apr 2.