http://news.yahoo.com/s/a...aine_dupri

By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY, AP Music Writer


NEW YORK - Jermaine Dupri — superproducer, rapper, and the boyfriend of Janet Jackson — has confirmed to The Associated Press that he has quit as a top executive at Jackson's label, Virgin Records, amid disappointing sales of Jackson's new album.

"Since there are so many rumors running rampant about my position at Virgin Records, I feel that it is necessary to set the record straight," Dupri said Wednesday in a statement released to the AP. "I was not forced out of the company, I made a decision that it was in my best interest to leave."

Dupri became head of urban music at Virgin, a unit of EMI Group PLC, just last year. His abrupt departure comes after the underwhelming performance of Jackson's latest release, "20 Y.O." Dupri was an executive producer of the record and helped determine its creative vision, along with Jackson and her longtime producers, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.

Jackson's album failed to debut at the top of the charts last month, then steadily fell. It has sold 443,000 copies since its release Sept. 26, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Jackson's 2001 album, "All for You," debuted at No. 1 with more than 605,000 copies sold in a single week.

Coming after the flat performance of 2004's "Damita Jo" and Jackson's infamous Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction, "20 Y.O." was seen as an opportunity for Jackson to re-establish herself as the multiplatinum hitmaker she has been for most of her 20-year-plus career.

Dupri, who declined further comment on his departure, has produced a multitude of hits for other artists, most notably last year for diva Mariah Carey. His work on her multiplatinum, Grammy-winning "The Emancipation of Mimi" was widely credited as being a chief reason for her comeback. He also was a top producer on Usher's eight-million selling "Confessions" album.

Geez isn't that a little premature? If he is upset at the promotion for Janets latest, he should let 20 YO be a slow burner good lord. 433,000 isn't bad sales for a few weeks time.And most fans probably want him to walk away from Janets recording business, who cares about Virgin Urban dept lol.

are any CDs selling alot now-a-days anyway?

Why would he quit? The album has only been out for a few weeks. There is stilla chance that a tour or the release of a better sinlge will raise sales. We need brothers in some top positions at these big record companies. He can't be throwing a tantrum over his girlfriend. His position is bigger than that.

Not for anything but if Jeramine is the head of urban/rb why didnt he put 1% of this energy put into the Janet record into getting Van Hunt some kind of promotion, the guy cancelled his tour because he had no money, wonder why.

iconsweat said:

I was thinking the exact same thing. I also wonder if it wasn’t Janet’s album that they believe was poorly promoted would he still quit?

lastdecember said:

They have Van Hunt under Virgin Urban? That's a damn shame with the pitty pat promotion he got. I didn't even know he had another album coming out until I read it here. I didn’t see half the posters and ads I saw for his debut album.

In my humble opinion, there should have been more "damage control"on Janet's behalf. With all of the things that has happened to her, I am suprised that there was not a full blown media blizz on her. The CD in my opinion, is not great. The first single with Nelly, sucked!! More should have been done and he shouls have led the charge.
[Edited 10/25/06 18:05pm]

lastdecember said:

Yes that too. I read he had ot stop touring a few months ago. Damn shame. He all but called his rec co out. Not sure if JD had as much leeway as one would assume regarding funds for artists and promotion. But one thing that may be obvious is that he could have put all his duckets into this Janet thing. If so dumb move thinking Janet was going to save that department (reminds me of Jay-Z and Th e Roots situation on Def Jam). Or "him with Janet" rather. Plus no offense but we need more Van Hunts and less Janets right about now. And as someone already stated, folks like him are kind of needed in some of these positions.

iconsweat said:

So true, we need lots more Van Hunts out there getting the Airtime and money put into hyping a record or at least give the brother money to play some shows. But that being said, Van Hunt is better off not being on a label for that reason, someone like Beyonce needs the hype and image and videos, but that wouldnt serve Van Hunt well.

It doesn't make sense. Most everything else JD has a hand in is usually successful, So why quit because Janet's CD (So Far) isn't? There's gotta be another reason.

ThePunisher said:

Janet's washed up. She was washed up years ago, THAT'S why her CD didn't do well. Someone like Van Hunt has a lot more to say than someone like Janet.

Plus, Van's on Capitol, is Virgin under the Capitol umbrella?

guitarslinger44 said:

No Virgin isn't under the Capitol umbrella but both labels are under EMI...
[Edited 10/25/06 14:30pm]

his best production was kriss kross' first album!

i think he has jumped the gun...I wouldn't be surprised if not long after all of this that Janet ends up leaving his ass....then he'll really be pissed...
[Edited 10/25/06 14:37pm]

missfee said:

lol...well maybe folks are creeped out by her sex talk knowing she means its regarding him..so they dont want to hear her anymore..thenm splitting may be a boost for her career

oh Im sory it's awful to say that but that's how the world is ya know?

But Janet is sprung. And so is he. Good for them. F business

TonyVanDam said:

They are aceptable if your 40 and in the game 20 years plus. Especially if it's only been a month and you've had scandal for a few years. Stop the madness. There will come a time when artisst makin big hits today wont seel shit. And sooner than 20 years.

iconsweat said:

I'm not saying that you're wrong. I'm saying that no one is used to seeing Janet failing to make hits.

TonyVanDam said:

Call On Me was no 1 rnb hit. And they should be used to a 40 year old in the game for 20 plus years not to hit one out of the park everytime. In my opinion at least.

lastdecember said:

Speaking of Van...

Enjoy a Van Hunt Weekend on All Things Purple

Featuring Van Hunt, James Brown, Isley Brothers, Curtis Mayfield & others.

Saturday Night
5pm West Coast*7pm Central*8pm East Coast

www.emancipationradio.com

This is what Freedom sounds like

iconsweat said:

Trust and believe there is panic in that camp....she's used to selling over 600k in the first week! This CD was supposed to blow up and push the tour...they have to rethink everything now...

this dude is pussy whupped, and why doesn't he promote other artist like he is doing Janet Jackson,

Janet Jackson isn't Mariah, when all else failed for mariah she went back to songwriting and her voice, when it failed for Janet she went back to taking her clothes off and singing whisper songs, if you gave some other artist So Excitied it would have a been a serious smash hit, but when somebody is whispering a goddamn song, i dont want to listen to that shit,only part i like about that song is Khia's part

just curious: does anyone know how many albums Janet Jackson has left to complete with her Virgin contract?

panther514 said:

She should still tour. It would be a mistake not too. You can tour on a gold album. They build on each other and with another video that's a decent song. It would do well.They panicking because they are acting like a bunch of amateurs. JD never had an artists of Janets stature.

CHIC0 said:

None (excluding a greatest hits album).

TonyVanDam said:

thanks TVD

Christopher said:

X-Scape's off the hook and traces of my lipstick cd's.

All I know is, this brotha sure is resigning from a lot of high power professional posts over his woman...I hope he either has a lot of tricks up his sleeve to make it worth it, or at least that they're going to stay together for a looooong, looooong time

lastdecember said:

Van Hunt's on Capital records, which is still owned by EMI-- but it's not under the Virgin label.