Idris Elba dropped by record label after his album failed to be a commercial success

Los Angeles - Idris Elba has been dropped by his record label.

The 42-year-old actor and musician signed to Parlophone less than a year ago but has revealed his music was "not commercial enough" for the company.

He admitted: "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."

The star recorded with South African musicians while making Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, which led to the release of his album, Idris Elba Presents mi Mandela, although it failed to be a success commercially which resulted in Parlophone's decision to end his contract.

He continued: "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."

However, the hunk has not given up on his musical talent, and has decided to self-fund his next studio album Murder Loves John, which has been inspired by the BBC One drama in which he stars, Luther.

Speaking at the British Film Institute in London, he 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."