Jermaine Dupri, now working at Island is ready to have Janet Jackson meet him.
“Definitely Janet will end up at Island…That’s without a doubt. L.A. always wanted to sign her regardless [of whether] I was there or not. I don’t know where that deal is — I left that in the hands of L.A. and Janet’s people — but more than likely, he’ll get what he wants.”
JD is also going to take part in the Rush Hour 3 movie soundtrack.
“Janet will have one of the first singles off the album…Bow Wow will be on the soundtrack. A couple usual suspects should pop up on the soundtrack, but I want it to be something unique [to] incorporate the new [Island Def Jam] family I’m with. I’mma see what Luda’s doing, what Jay is doing. I’mma see if I can get some records from people.”
He also explained his role as president.
“With me being the president, I bring back the urban side of Island so that Island and Def Jam can be two separate record companies,” he explained. “Jay-Z’s at Def Jam, I’m at Island. L.A. sits in the middle and makes sure we do what we supposed to do as well as pump us up with ideas. I’m a musician, and I’m 100 percent into making music. I’m behind the music, and I like being around people that’s behind the music. Virgin Records is not behind the music. They weren’t when I was there, and I still don’t think they are behind the music. If you’re gonna be in the music business, you should be around people who are about the music.”
“Jay-Z’s at Def Jam, I’m at Island. L.A. sits in the middle and makes sure we do what we supposed to do as well as pump us up with ideas. I’m a musician, and I’m 100 percent into making music. I’m behind the music, and I like being around people that’s behind the music. Virgin Records is not behind the music. They weren’t when I was there, and I still don’t think they are behind the music. If you’re gonna be in the music business, you should be around people who are about the music.”
Aside from this, he is also readying releases for Mariah Carey and Jagged Edge.