L.A. WELCOMES DUPRI AS ISLAND URBAN MUSIC PRESIDENT

In a move that seemed all but inevitable since he was let out of his EMI contract, Jermaine Dupri has reunited with his longtime friend and former business partner L.A. Reid, who brings him in as President of the newly formed Island Records Urban Music.

From his new perch, Dupri will oversee Island’s entire Urban music operation as well as producing acts on the IDJ roster and making his production services available to the other Universal Music Group labels. He’ll work out of both Atlanta and New York, reporting directly to Reid, and to Island President/IDJ COO Steve Bartels.

Said Reid in making the expected announcement: “Jermaine’s career has grown from strength to strength over the years 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.”

A clearly elated Dupri commented: “I’m so excited to be reunited with L.A. Reid, because most of my biggest hits were when he and I worked together. 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.”

Added Bartels: “I am thrilled that Jermaine has decided to join the Island Def Jam family. 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.”

Dupri and Reid previously teamed up on such landmark projects as Usher’s 8 million-selling Confessions and Mariah Carey’s The Emancipation of Mimi, the top-selling album of 2005.

Dupri was 19 when he produced his first #1 record, Kris Kross’ 1992 single “Jump.” The teen duo’s 5 million-selling debut album led to Dupri’s founding of the So So Def label in 1993. He subsequently signed and worked with such artists as Xscape, Da Brat, Jagged Edge, Lil’ Bow Wow, Dem Franchize Boyz, J-Kwon, Youngbloodz and Anthony Hamilton.