Hip hop guru Jermaine Dupri splitting from Virgin Records

By M&C News Oct 25, 2006, 15:55 GMT

Hip hop producer, rapper, and boytoy to Janet Jackson, Jermaine Dupri has announced that he is finished as the top executive at his girlfriend’s label Virgin Records – after the pop diva’s new studio album failed to gain the spotlight with huge sales upon its release.

Due to rumors about his departure, Dupri, who was made the top executive for Virgin’s “urban music” division in 2005, stated he felt he need to clear the air about how he left the label, and that he was not "forced out of the company." 

‘20 Y.O.’ was Jackson’s return to the pop charts, and was executive produced by Dupri. While the label sent a lot of time pushing the new album, it didn’t manage to wow the sales charts when it debuted last month.

The less the spectacular sales comes on the heels of another less than great sales performance with 2004's "Damita Jo," and the infamous Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction that continues to haunt Jackson's sales. The album was supposed to be a way for Virgin to celebrate the singer’s musical career, and also help shoot her back to the top of the pop charts.

As a producer, Dupri has had a hand in helping a huge range of artist find a new audience - including Mariah Carey’s ‘The Emancipation of Mimi.’ He also had a hand in helping Usher become a household name with his widely successful ‘Confessions’ album.