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      *After two moderately-successful albums through Columbia Records, R&B singer Amerie is hoping to take her fame to another level under a new deal with Island Def Jam.

       A source tells Britain's Daily Star newspaper: "Amerie's first two albums did well, but she's ready to step it up a gear now. She was offered a deal too good to turn down and the promise to build upon her reputation for classy and sexy R&B."        

       Amerie hopes to follow in the footsteps of her new label mate Rihanna, whose career enjoyed a global boost after Def Jam secured the power track "Umbrella" for her last year.