Azealia Banks details troubles behind debut

Azealia Banks performs at Midnight LA. Photo/AP

Azealia Banks says she poured her "blood, sweat and tears" into her new album.

The 23-year-old star, who surprised fans by releasing her long-delayed debut, Broke With Expensive Taste, directly to iTunes on Thursday, has revealed she created the 16-track record with "no help" after parting ways with her record label earlier this year.

Shortly after dropping the record, the Chasing Time hitmaker wrote on Twitter: "Words cannot express the way I feel today.

"I know this is hella petty, but I need y'all to know that I a&r'd that record myself.. No help from polydor or interscope.

"I am the executive producer, everything.... ,my blood sweat and tears literally went into the making of this album (sic)."

The album was originally expected to be released in September 2012.

After numerous delays she begged Universal Interscope to release her from her contract and in July she tweeted: "Free at last".

Azealia released the album's second single, Heavy Metal and Reflective, independently through her own Azealia Banks Records, but the album is also released through her imprint and Prospect Park, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The singer is set to attend the MTV European Music Awards in Glasgow, Scotland later today.

- Bang! Showbiz