January 14. 2009

Jermaine Dupri

Jermaine Dupri, former Island/Def Jam record executive and boyfriend of singer Janet Jackson, has lashed out at his one time boss, L.A. Reid, regarding his dismissal from the company.

He stated to Essence magazine that the split was not amicable and he does not know if it will be considered so in the future.

He is also claiming Reid is jealous of him, which I find hard to believe, as for many years, he made huge sums of money from signing his name to songs that Babyface wrote.

Dupri is also throwing Reid under the bus as the man responsible for Janet Jackson's infringing and flopped album "Discipline." I do not for one second believe he is the only one responsible, Dupri.

Jermaine Dupri Sets Record Straight on Def Jam Exit

ESSENCE.COM: Was it an amicable parting?

DUPRI: I haven't spoken to L.A. [Reid] in three months. I don't know if it's amicable [considering] that they claim they put me out. I feel like it's not amicable. Don't lie, be real about the situation....Def Jam is like one big clique.

ESSENCE.COM: Although it's been three months since you've spoken to L.A. Reid, would you be open to reconciliation?

DUPRI: I don't know. I saw a side of him that I had never seen before and that to me was a jealous side. I don't know if I should be around people who are jealous of me. Mariah Carey sold more records in that entire Def Jam building and all of that was through my singles; so I'm looking like the golden boy. I only started thinking about it after I left.

ESSENCE.COM: Does Janet support your decision?

DUPRI: We don't get down like that. She's Janet Jackson without Jermaine Dupri and vice versa. That's how we met doing our own thing. I talk to her about some things but it is what it is. I have to stay in my own lane—that's where Bobby Brown messed up. (Laughs.)

ESSENCE.COM: Gossipmongers speculate that your departure was inevitable after Janet Jackson left because you left Virgin Urban Music after Janet left to go to Def Jam. Did Janet's departure from Island influence your decision in any way?

DUPRI: ... Janet was handled through L.A. He chased her because he wanted to get her on the label so bad, and when things didn't go right he had a scapegoat for her whole album [not doing well]—me. But what people don't know is that Janet's whole album was designed and made by him. He picked every song. I produced two songs on the entire album. I had a better track record with her at Virgin.

http://www.essence.com