S. Samuel
Producer Jermaine "JD" Dupri recently talked about not having an executive producer role on Usher's new Raymond v. Raymond album.
JD claims Usher did not attempt to reach out to him for his latest solo album.
Well, I didn’t really want to be executive producer of Usher’s projects after Confession. Me as a producer, it’s kind of hard for me to go back into people’s projects when I gave you your biggest album ever…you sold more records than any other artist in this decade based on that album and now I have to ask you am I the executive producer of your next album? That seems disrespectful to me. Obviously, I’m looking at something different than everyone is looking at it whether it’s the label, the artist, management… whoever it is. I’ve had this same conversation with L.A. Reid, because I’m doing Mariah Carey‘s album right now. And on her last album, I didn’t have one song on there. But I did Emancipation of Mimi and she sold more records than she sold in the last five years. What part of the game makes y’all not call me? But I’m not going to keep sticking my neck out. But I don’t feel like I’m supposed to ask to produce anymore. People are supposed to come to me and tell me that I’m the executive producer. That’s why I get more kicks working with younger artists.” (VIBE)
Usher’s latest album reached gold status last week.
R&B superstar Usher’s Raymond V. Raymond slid one slot to No. 5 this week with 52,000 and lost out to Glee Cast‘s Power of Madonna which topped the charts with 98,000. According to Nielsen Soundscan, Usher’s latest album has sold 538,000 copies after a month in stores. (SOHH Sales Wrap)
Aside from Usher, JD has been working with Janet Jackson as of late.
Producer-songwriter Bryan-Michael Cox revealed that he and J.D. are reteaming with the pop star for her next album, the first since 2008’s Discipline. “I’m producing Janet’s album with Jermaine and it’s going to be hot,” B. Cox told Rap-Up.com at Tricky Stewart‘s pre-Grammy party last Friday. “That’s all I can say so far.” His producing partner Kendrick “WyldCard” Dean also chimed in, adding, “Some great collabos on there,” but didn’t disclose further details. (Rap-Up)
He previously broke up with Jackson last summer.
On July 7, Michael Jackson‘s family gathered to celebrate him at his much-watched memorial service. Noticeably absent? Janet Jackson’s longtime music-exec boyfriend, Jermaine Dupri. (A pal says Dupri skipped the memorial because he “doesn’t attend funerals.”) And for good reason. “His friends are telling people it’s over,” a source tells the new issue of Us Weekly, on stands now. Echoes another: “They have been moving in different directions for a while.” (Us Magazine)
Check out some recent Jermaine Dupri footage down below:
