So So Def founder, producer and artist Jermaine Dupri has been named president of Virgin Records‘ newly created urban music division.
Under the deal, So So Def joins Virgin, and Dupri will record as a solo artist for the label in addition to developing talent.
“I plan to do for Virgin what Russell Simmons did 10 years ago when he moved Def Jam to Island Records,” Dupri said. “I will catapult Virgin into a young, hip label with chart-topping success in both R&B and rap music.”
Previously, he was senior VP of Arista Records working under Antonio “L.A.” Reid.