American Idol runner up Blake Lewis has signed a record deal with Arista Records in conjunction with 19Recordings, the USA Today reports. The label is managed by American Idol creator Simon Fuller. The album will be released later this year.

Fuller said in a statement:

“Blake is one of the most unique Idol contestants I’ve ever seen. He brought something new to the competition and won fans all over America. I know they’re going to love his first album.”

Blake’s beatboxing skills won over my support, and I was blown away by his cover of Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love a Bad Name”. See that video below: