Jermaine Dupri to Head Virgin Records Urban Music
From the Associated Press
NEW YORK (Jan. 25) - Hit producer and sometime rapper Jermaine Dupri, who's produced chart-topping songs for acts ranging from Usher to Mariah Carey, has been named president of Virgin Records Urban Music, a newly created division of the label.
"All of us at Virgin are thrilled to welcome Jermaine to the company. We know that his remarkable ability to identify and develop talent will continue to build great careers in the years to come, while bringing innovative and refreshing ideas to well-established acts," Virgin Records Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Matt Serletic said in a statement Monday.
This is the second senior management for Dupri in two years. In January 2003, he was named senior vice president of Arista Records, when Antonio ``L.A.'' Reid was at the helm of the label. But when Reid was ousted a year later, Arista was folded into the BMG conglomerate. (Reid later became chairman of Island Def Jam Music Group.
Dupri not only brings his considerable hit-making talent to Virgin, but also his label, Atlanta-based So So Def, which has been home to Jagged Edge, Bow Wow and other urban acts. Dupri, who has released two hit albums, will also record for the label.
"I plan to do for Virgin what Russell Simmons did 10 years ago, when he moved Def Jam to Island Records," Dupri said. "I will catapult Virgin into a young, hip label with chart-topping success in both R&B and rap music. I also hope to change the whole look of the company so when up-and-coming R&B and hip-hop artists are looking for a home, Virgin will be the first stop."
Among the hits he's written, produced or had a hand in over the last year: 'Burn,' 'My Boo' and 'Confessions (Part II),' from Usher; 'Tipsy,' from J-Kwon; and 'Damn' by the Youngbloodz.
At 19, Dupri was responsible for the No. 1 smash 'Jump' from preteen act Kris Kross in 1992.
Among the acts on Virgin are Lenny Kravitz, The Rolling Stones, N.E.R.D., Guerilla Black and Janet Jackson - Dupri's girlfriend.
Jan. 26, 2005