Dupri Steps Down As Virgin Urban President

[Damien J.]

Jermaine Dupri has stepped down as president of urban music at Virgin, following lackluster sales of his girlfriend Janet Jackson's latest disc, "20 Y.O," which Dupri co-executive produced.

In a statement released to the Associated Press today (Oct. 25), Dupri said, "Since there are so many rumors running rampant about my position at Virgin Records, I feel that it is necessary to set the record straight. I was not forced out of the company -- I made a decision that it was in my best interest to leave."

The producer/rapper was appointed to the post in January 2005. Since then, his signings have included Dem Franchize Boyz; he also pacted with OutKast member Big Boi's Purple Ribbon imprint.

As for "20 Y.O.," it bowed at No. 2 on The Billboard 200 last month and has sold just 443,000 units to date, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

This report is provided by Billboard.com

[kingwell]

PHEW, I thought Daz wasn't going to have an excuse for his album....