Reuters/Billboard

D'Angelo exiting Virgin for J -- sources
Tue Jul 26, 2005 3:25 AM ET

By Rashaun Hall

NEW YORK (Billboard) - R&B vocalist D'Angelo, who has largely dropped off the map since releasing his second album in 2000, is moving to J Records from Virgin, sources close to the artist said.

Sony BMG-owned J Records, home to Alicia Keys and Maroon5, acquired his contract from EMI-owned Virgin, which issued his two studio albums, the sources said. A J spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.

Virgin alumni who have enjoyed the greener grass at other labels include Shaggy and the Wallflowers.

D'Angelo's sophomore album, "Voodoo," debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 1.7 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. That set spawned the single "Untitled (How Does It Feel)," which hit No. 25 on the Hot 100. His 1996 debut, "Brown Sugar," has also sold 1.7 million copies. Most recently, he appeared on a remix of the Common single "Go."

In April, D'Angelo, whose real name is Michael Archer, pled guilty in a Virginia District Court to charges of marijuana possession and driving under the influence of alcohol, and received a combined 100-day suspended jail sentence. The charges stemmed from a January incident in which the singer was pulled over in a Richmond suburb.

I would've jumped ship too seeing as Virgin under promotes all it's artists
[Edited 7/26/05 11:20am]

wonder how Prince feels about this