TRINK IN AT VIRGIN: It’s official. Virgin Records Chairman/CEO Jason Flom has confirmed that Lee Trink is assuming the role of GM at Virgin. Trink will be replacing the company’s highly-regarded COO/GM Larry Mestel, who was appointed by now-departed Virgin Chairman/CEO Matt Serletic. Flom and Trink worked together for years at Lava Records, the label founded by Flom. In fact, until Flom was unceremoniously ousted from Lava by WMG CEO Lyor Cohen last summer, Trink was in line to become Co-President of the label with Andy Karp. Some insiders had speculated that Mestel would stay at the company, even after Trink’s arrival, to give Virgin’s Urban President Jermaine Dupri a comfort zone; the two have been involved with each other since their time together at Arista. Dupri’s tenure at the label, which began in January of this year, has just now started to pay off—the latest release from Dem Franchise Boyz, “I Think They Like Me,” is now in its second week at #1 on the Urban radio charts. MTV is now playing the rap act, and Virgin is going for the pop market with the track as well. As a pragmatist, Flom is making a special effort to assure that Virgin becomes a viable force in the Urban marketplace. Flom also realizes if you’re going to be in that business, Jermaine Dupri has to be one of the most successful current Urban music executives. (11/21p)

MUCH LOVE FOR DUPRI: Despite much speculation, to reiterate what we wrote above, Virgin Records Chairman/CEO Jason Flom is a big fan of the label’s Urban President Jermaine Dupri for numerous reasons. The artist-producer-entrepreneur has been in an executive role at the label since January, when plans were that he would record for Virgin as a solo act, produce Virgin artists and make his production services available to all of EMI’s labels. Dupri also brought his hot label, So So Def, to Virgin, releasing a compilation called Jermaine Dupri Presents...Young, Fly & Flashy Vol. 1 last July. As previously noted, the appointment has reached fruition with the new #1 hit from Dem Franchise Boys —an act Dupri discovered and groomed from the Southern underground. Dupri told HITS last July: “It’s going to be the biggest accomplishment of my life if I can get Virgin to become a powerful urban company.” With Dem Franchise Boyz at #1 and now aiming for the pop market, it seems his mission is being fulfilled, a fact that Flom appears to greatly appreciate. (11/21p)
[Edited 11/21/05 18:00pm]

GO JERMAINE!!!

What da hook gone be? I dont need no hook on this beat

That's the jump off.

Anxiety said:

OHMIGOD!!!!!




he looks just like him....oh that was so phucked up talkin about Janet's man
[Edited 11/22/05 7:47am]