Jermaine Dupri named president of Virgin Records

Jet, Feb 14, 2005

* JERMAINE DUPRI NAMED PRESIDENT OF VIRGIN RECORDS: Hit-making producer Jermaine Dupri, producer of chart-topping songs for acts ranging from Usher to Mariah Carey, has been named president of Virgin Records Urban Music, a newly created division of the label. Dupri, who at 19 was responsible for the No.

1 smash Jump from preteen act Kris Kross in 1992, not only brings his considerable hit-making talent to Virgin, but also his label, So So Def, which has been home to Jagged Edge, Bow Wow and other urban acts. Dupri, who has released two hit albums, will also record for the label. Among the hits he's written, produced or has had a hand in over the last year are Burn, My Boo and Confessions (Part II) by Usher. "I plan to do for Virgin what Russell Simmons did 10 years ago, when he moved Def Jam to Island Records," Dupri said. "I will catapult Virgin into a young, hip label with chart-topping success in both R&B and rap music." Among the acts on Virgin are Lenny Kravitz, the Rolling Stones, N.E.R.D., Guerilla Black and Janet Jackson.