::DUPRI CROWNED PRESIDENT OF ISLAND URBAN MUSIC: Deal puts JD under same umbrella as Jay-Z.::

After leaving his previous gig at Virgin Records last year in the wake of girlfriend Janet Jackson’s disappointing album sales, Jermaine Dupri has bounced back and into a plush executive chair at Island Def Jam Records (IDJ).

The producer has been appointed president of Island Records Urban Music, a new division of the IDJ Music Group, it was announced Wednesday by Chairman Antonio "L.A." Reid. Under the deal, Dupri will oversee Island's entire urban music operation, as well as produce artists on the rosters of both IDJ and the entire Universal Music Group family of labels.

Dupri will report directly to Reid, and Island Records President Steve Bartels on operational matters.

"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 Dupri in a statement. "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."

Dupri is no stranger to the Island roster, having co-written and produced Mariah Carey’s No. 1 hits "We Belong Together,” "Shake It Off" and "Don't Forget About Us." He’s also collaborated with IDJ artists Jay-Z, Ludacris, and Lionel Richie.

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