Def Jam Recordings : Def Jam News

Def Jam News

Def Jam Welcomes Jermaine Dupri to the Island Def Jam Family!

February 7, 2007

JERMAINE DUPRI NAMED PRESIDENT, ISLAND URBAN MUSIC

TOP #1 HITMAKER WILL HEAD NEW DIVISION AT ISLAND RECORDS

BEST R&B SONG GRAMMY AWARD-WINNER IN 2005 FOR MARIAH CAREY'S "WE BELONG TOGETHER"

Jermaine Dupri, one of the industry's most consistently successful top-charted producers and songwriters, has been appointed president of Island Records Urban Music, a new division of the Island Def Jam Music Group, it was announced today by Antonio "L.A." Reid, Chairman, Island Def Jam Music Group. As part of the arrangement, Mr. Dupri will oversee Island's entire urban music operation. In addition, he will produce artists on the IDJ roster, as well as provide his production services to the entire Universal Music Group family of labels.

In this newly created position, Mr. Dupri will report directly to Mr. Reid, and to Steve Bartels, President, Island Records/COO, Island Def Jam Music Group, on operational matters. Dupri will be based in Atlanta and New York.

"Jermaine's career has grown from strength to strength over the years," said Mr. Reid, "as a producer and songwriter and recording artist in his own right, as a respected label executive and entrepreneur, and as a highly esteemed developer of new talent. His deep ties to Atlanta's creative R&B and hip-hop community have been the springboard to working with the greatest names in contemporary music. This is a tremendous step forward for Island Records and its established roster of artists who will benefit enormously from Jermaine's presence."

"I'm so excited to be reunited with L.A. Reid because most of my biggest hits were when he and I worked together," said Mr. Dupri. "And then to be working side by side with Steve Bartels - I don't think there's a better team because he's by far the best in the game. I can't wait for us to start stuntin' on y'all."

"I am thrilled that Jermaine has decided to join the Island Def Jam family," said Mr. Bartels. "Jermaine is a prestigious hitmaker as well as a production wizard. I personally look forward to helping be part of once again, adding to and continuing his illustrious legacy."

Jermaine Dupri is one of the preeminent figures in Urban Music today. He has written, produced, or mixed hit records for many of the industry's top artists. His long-distance run of hits with Usher, which began in 1997, culminated with 2004's string of "Burn," "Confessions Part II," and "My Boo" (a duet with Alicia Keys) which drove 8-times platinum sales of Usher's Confessions album, making it the best-selling album of the year.

Dupri is no stranger to the Island roster, having co-written and produced the Mariah Carey #1 hits "We Belong Together" (for which he shared the Grammy award for Best R&B Song), "Shake It Off," and "Don't Forget About Us." All three were from The Emancipation of Mimi, the #1 top-selling album of 2005. In addition to his collaborations with IDJ artists Jay-Z, Ludacris, and Lionel Richie, Dupri has turned out hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, TLC, Run-DMC, Toni Braxton, Alicia Keys, Nelly, Chingy, Janet Jackson, Monica, Aaliyah, Ciara, and many others.

Jermaine Dupri was 19 years old when he produced his first #1 record on the Billboard Hot 100, Kris Kross' 1992 single, "Jump." The 5-times platinum sales of the teen duo's debut album led to Dupri's founding of the So So Def label in 1993. He was quickly marked as one of the foremost young entrepreneurs driving the arrival of hip-hop as a central creative and commercial force in mainstream music. So So Def became known as an engine not only of hit records, but of artist development, as Dupri went on to sign and nurture the careers of many gold, platinum, and multi-platinum selling artists including Xscape, Da Brat, Jagged Edge, Lil' Bow Wow, Dem Franchize Boyz, J-Kwon, Youngbloodz, and Anthony Hamilton.

# # #

COMMENTS:

well i think Mr Dupri new venture with idj is fantastic, he`s known as a talented producer in the history of music.So i wish u well Sir on ur future endeavors with ISLAND URBAN MUSIC.

Posted at 6:13am on February 23rd, 2007 by renegade10

What's good hip hop heads? In regards to IDJ signing JD, I believe it was a great move on their part. To have Jay-Z holding it down on the hip hop end and to bring in JD to man the R&B end could be history in the making. What other label can compete with these well respected music heads. On the hip hop tip def Jam runs the game, but imagine the same with the Def Jam on the R&B side. Money talks and you know the rest. Respect what IDJ is tryin to do instead of hating on the move

Posted at 8:04pm on February 15th, 2007 by innocent10

Mzmelo15, that is very true with regard to attracting R&B talent but they could've easily gave JD the President title and gave him the authority overseeing all R&B acts but giving Jay final say. Jay knows JD incredibly well so he respects JD I'm sure. But to divide the power instead of putting it together sounds like, and looks like a dumb move. Smart move getting JD into the fold, horrible move with the position. Like I said, they could've shifted all current R&B acts to Def Soul and gave JD that to run. But by putting him in charge of Urban music at Island, they stepped on Jay's toes as to say he needs help with building the hip hop roster, and I feel he was doing a damn good job.

Posted at 7:59pm on February 12th, 2007 by BaNNeDfromTV

No I'm not young actually I'm a senior in college and no to be honest I really don't like Lil Wayne like that either cuz he just thinks nobody is better than him that's why he got his jaw broke by his own man. Like Nas said hip hop is dead and we need to bring it back. I don't take offense to Jay saying he's the best rapper nor do I fault TIP for saying he's the King of the South. U are what u think u are and it don't matter what other people say. I'm not blaming Jay for stepping up to the plate, I mean like I said he is the smartest businessman/CEO in the game period. I just feel it's a good move for Def Jam R&B wise, like I said Jay got Def Jam on lock when it comes to hip hop, when u look at the roster, nobody can even compare to it. Def Jam is basically running the music industry. I'm not a Jay hater in fact I got every last one of Jay's album, I was just speaking to the people that are hatin on JD, I mean he don't got shit on Jay, money in da bank wise, but when it comes to producing and creating R&B hits JD is dat dude, and Def Jam needs that to help their R&B roster. Like I said if Jay wanted to leave Def Jam tomorrow, it wouldn't be no "dirt off his shoulders" because I mean da boy owns the Nets, Rocafella/Rocawear, 40/40 club, and he got da hottest chick in da game on his side. Everybody tried to make it seem as if LA was tryin to get rid of Jay, LA would be stupid as hell do something like that I mean Jay attracts too much talent for LA to even process that in his mind. The reason why Jay is what he is because he was just like Biggie and Pac, way before his time and his creative process is bananas. So all I'm saying his LA made a good move for Def Jam on the R&B tip, cuz in the words of Jigga himself, Women Lie, Niggas Lie, But Numbers Don't, So if u really look at it, if JD does bring more R&B talent to Def Jam, that means more money for Jay..bottom line!

Posted at 2:33am on February 11th, 2007 by mzmelo15

MzMel015, I feel what you're saying but they could've easily accomplished the same thing by making JD President and leaving Jay as CEO. They could've even revived Def Soul which is Def Jams's R&B Label and made him Predsident of that. Those were two clearly defined paths they could've easily taken. IDJ is up to something. And to make a point. LL was never offered the position at Def Jam. He wanted it and was pissed when he was passed over. He wasn't even interviewed for the position. He has no credentials on his resume to show that he can run a label or that he is a good evaluator of talent. Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player, but he absolutely sucked at evaluating talent, made clear by his stint in Washington as player/owner. Not every great player/artist is a great coach/evaluator.

You must be a little young though Melo. The fact that you're riding the "fad" that is Lil' Wayne, who idolizes Jay-Z. In my personal opinion, Jay's stats speak for him. When it comes to this game called Hip-Hop he is an all time, all around great. He doesn't just set the bar, he far exceeds it. And most times if you pay close attention, you see the rest of the industry hangs on his every word, and follow his every move. He is, as he said, the black Warren Buffett. When he speaks people listen, E.F. Hutton style... But like I said, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong...(sike)

Posted at 12:34pm on February 10th, 2007 by BaNNeDfromTV

You sound like Jermaine Dupri Publicity Team. How you gonna make LL CEO? LL already been bragging that he was offered the job but turned it down so before you start riding his nuts bear that in mind. LL could have become CEO and opened up the game for a new generation but he too busy making wack movies to do that. Dont blame Jay for stepping up. I mean, what does J have to gain, this is probably his least money making enterprise, all he get is flack from haters.

As far as J saying he thebest in the game, so what, every rapper says that, they been saying that sine freaking early 80's, why you taking offence to something all these dudes say.

Posted at 9:14am on February 10th, 2007 by Snoop123

I believe LA made a good decision by hiring JD to IDJ. I don't think LA's intention is to push out Jay. I believe his motive is to attract more R&B talent to the roster. Def Jam needs to bring more R&B flava to the label. Jay is the CEO of Def Jam which mainly deals with hip hop N Jay basically got that on lock. I mean Def Jam is a beast in this hip hop game I mean they got Jeezy, Rick Ross, Juelz, Nas, and Jay himself I mean what more can I say. Now when u look at Def Jam from an R&B point of view, they really lack powerful R&B artists who can sell records. I mean yeah u got Mariah, Ne-Yo, N Rhianna, N To Be Honest With U Ne-Yo N Rhianna will never sell as many records as Mariah, so what I'm saying is hiring JD to IDJ is good for business from an R&B aspect, I mean when it comes to producing and writing R&B hits, JD is yo man. So don't get upset, hiring JD was a good business move on the R&B tip. Jay will remain CEO of Def Jam, I believe if Jay leaves it will because Jay wants to leave not because he was forced out N to be honest with u if anybody should be CEO of Def Jam it should be LL Cool J. I know yall probably like hell no, but if it wasn't for Rush N Rick Rubin releasing his single "RADIO" in 85, Def Jam wouldn't even exist and Jay wouldn't be CEO of this company. So before yall say best rapper/CEO in the game remember he wouldn't be that if it wasn't for the legend that doesn't get the respect he deserves. I love Jay just like the next person, but I'm kinda with Weezy F Baby on this one, Jay need to quit hollerin out he's da best in the game. Don't get me wrong he is the best businessman/CEO in the game, but to be honest there is no best rapper in the game, like Nas said hip hop is dead n we need to bring it back. But to end this, all u Jigga fans don't get mad, this is not a move to push out Jay, I believe it's a move to make the Def Jam empire a monopoly in the music industry.

Posted at 4:13am on February 10th, 2007 by mzmelo15

WHO THE FUCK IS JERMAINE DUPRI. THATS MY WORD. CHITOWN STAND UP

Posted at 12:25pm on February 9th, 2007 by ChicagoJay

You all are some fools. I have never brought a JD album. I agree he can make some beats, but there are a lot of folks who can do that. Jay Z is the best in the game and without him you would not have the 2nd best--NAS. I hope if you are trying to get rid of Jay he leaves IDJ and never come back. The best rapper/CEO in the game. What is going on with LA? You had Jay leave his friends because he thought you were his friend but as we always say business is business. Don't put friendship and business together. I would say later and make a bigger organization than IDJ. Where is Rush? He was the best and now the kid LA is making decision that I hope are not true but we will see. I never put comments in but I had to say some thing because you are a fool if you push Jay out. I will never directly buy a IJD MP if you do that.

Posted at 8:19pm on February 8th, 2007 by meglass

I agree with BaNNed from TV. what does Island need a Urban division for? Thats what Def Jam is for. I think they about to push Jay out. Do not blame LA though, probably something to do with Jimmy Iovine who is no. 2 at Universal and heads up Interscope.

Posted at 6:41am on February 8th, 2007 by Snoop123

I don't know. Maybe its me. Call me the conspiracy theorist, but isn't Def Jam the "Urban Division" of IDJ. I'm beginning to believe that IDJ, more specifically, Mr. Reid, is using Mr. Carter as an artist draw. What I can't figure out is why? He has a few #1 debuts under his belt. A few more repeat multi-platinum, platinum, and new platinum artists. He has artists generating massive street buzz. And the only reason why there's any hate is because well Jay-Z, is Jay-Z. So Instead of talking to Jay, which I'm assuming they didn't, and saying "hey, why don't you relenquish the title of President, hold on to the CEO, and we'll hire JD as President, he'll report to you but you'll work hand and hand." Of course ego would get in the way there, but business is business right? But JD with Jay-Z would be an absolute powerhouse. Everyone knows Island Records is basically a rock label. So why front? Are they preparing for Mr. Carter's departure or are they pushing him out? Why is that there are artists signed to Def Jam, who can publicly say that they don't deal with Jay-Z, they talk directly to L.A. Reid? They appoint Jay as the CEO/President with conditions and exceptions. Def Jam needs a visit from some powerful leadership speakers, or at least need to hire someone with some true leadership advice. If I had to identify one major problem with Def Jam it would be poor leadership (especially when someone with the title of CEO/President can be by-passed). That shows poor structure, and a blatant lack of respest for the man they hired. They're clearly bleeding the man of his authority and damn near reducing him to an iconic figurehead with an eye for talent rather than the CEO/President of Def Jam Recordings, the "Urban" (Hip-Hop and R&B) division. I don't know. Those are my thoughts. What do you guys think? If anyone at Def Jam is responsible for reading these posts (which there should be) please send me an email, I'd love to hear that I'm wrong.

Posted at 11:44pm on February 7th, 2007 by BaNNeDfromTV

hey thats good for JD to become the president of the island music group he needs to get back in the game and be near the top

Posted at 12:10pm on February 7th, 2007 by defjamforever