Jermaine Dupri has entered into an exclusive
label/production deal with Arista Records. The deal brings Dupri’s So So Def
imprint to the major label and makes Dupri a Senior Vice President in the company.
"I am very excited about this," Dupri
told AllHipHop.com. "I think the music business a new look and that’s what
I bring to the table."
Under the terms of the deal, So So Def, which
was formely distributed by Columbia, will now be distributed worldwide by Arista
and Dupri will continue to act as a producer and solo artist, as well as produce
exclusively for the BMG group of record labels. Bow Wow and Jagged Edge will
remain with Columbia.
"I feel I bring a lot to the table, and
am definitely happy to do what I have to do in Arista’s very comfortable space.
As SVP, I hope to follow Arista’s path and continue to change the face of music."
In addition to being a successful solo artist
in his own right, JD’s production record is a virtual who’s who in music. Dupri
has produced, executive produced or remixed #1 songs for Run-D.M.C., Jay-Z,
Notorious B.I.G., Ludacris and others.
"Jermaine has been one of the outstanding
creative forces in the Atlanta music scene," Arista CEO Antonio "L.A."
Reid added. "We have known each other for more than a decade, and it has
been a source of personal satisfaction for me to watch him work with and guide
many of Atlanta’s hip-hop and R&B artists to superstar status," said
Mr. Reid. "Jermaine has produced some of the greatest names in contemporary
music, and I welcome the opportunity to bring him into the Arista family."