Iggie Pop is being forced to self-release his new album of French pop classics, the Guardian reports. “I’ve always had a very rough time in the big-time music business,” Pop said. “I got kicked off every label.”  More details after the jump.

Virgin EMI turned down Iggy Pop’s collection of cover versions and French chanson because they would have preferred a typical rock album from the artist.  Since Iggy’s endeavor was rejected by his label, he has been forced to sell the album via digital retailers.  Here’s what Iggy Pop had to say:

The [label] didn’t want it. They didn’t think they would make any money, they didn’t think my fans would like it. They would have preferred that I do a rock album with popular punks, sort of like ‘Hi Dad!’

The new LP, Après, should be similar to Iggy Pop’s 2009 endeavor, Préliminaires, which was also inspired by French pop. Interestingly, he’ll also appear on Ke$ha’s new album.  Although Après is now available through digital retailers like iTunes, it certainly was a discouragement for the longtime rocker: “What has a record company ever done for me but humiliate and torment and drag me down?”