Janet Jackson Weak Sales: Jermaine Dupri is Out at Virgin Records
Posted October 22, 2006 — in Music News
Janet Jackson’s boyfriend, producer Jermaine Dupri, is out at Virgin Records. Dupri was head of urban music at Virgin. According to sources, Dupri quit—i.e. was forced out—after disappointing sales of Jackson’s comeback album called “20 YO.” Three weeks into its release, the album is a dud with less than 500,000 copies sold. The CD had dropped an astonishing 77 percent in sales in its second week. Also, ‘20 YO’ was the last album on her Virgin contract and now faces the task of negotiating a new deal with little leverage.
I believe that Virgin records really didn’t make an effort with the past two albums Damita Jo and 20 Y.O. compared to All For You I believe that was the last highest saling album. Janet has potential but people are backing her up like they should. For her album to drop 77% after the first week is ridulous and it’s part of the labels fought. In all honestly Jermaine Dupri promoted Janet, he got her 106 N’ Park he thought of the idea to for the fans to design the cover. You know he put alot of effort in boosting Janet’s fanbase up and he wanted her to get back into the R&B urban style like back in Control. I believe that since her contract was almost expiring they didn’t put to much effort in promoting or making it the big deal that it should have been. Janet worked 20 years to be the best and you fall like that is unbelievable if I was Janet I would be angry and I know she is. Although she is an ideal and icon to most musically she has to compete with the new artists as well. She has to hold onto the throne and torch. For album to drop it might be hard for people to put her on their labels because they have to consider does she still got “it” but I believe it won’t be too much of a problem. She will find a label and she will remain the biggest music artist in the business especially since she has Jermaine because he won’t let his boo go down.
Comment by Shavon — October 25, 2006 @ 11:22 pm
I went to the stores and saw the cd and to be honest I have only heard the song she did with Nelly and if that was the lead single, I felt the ablubum couldnt be all that. I instead picked Letoya Luckett and Avant who I think have done a wonderful job and their labels promoted their CDs better
Comment by swara — October 31, 2006 @ 10:49 am
Baby The song with Nelly was just to get peoples attention. It’s a good song but certainly not the best one on the album. I bought it and I love it! And if you think latoya luckett and Avant are better artist or have better music you are out of your damn mind!
Comment by Dre — October 31, 2006 @ 4:35 pm
I really like 20 yo and i cannot understand how everyone still promotes Justin Timberlake. He really used people like janet to get the recognition he dosent deserve. Janet has several hits on the album and if you saw her performance for So excited on the music awards a few weeks ago. I dont think their would be a question of if she still got it………Please… How many artists r and b or otherwise can say they have the hits like Janet and have around for 20 years.
Comment by chris — January 9, 2007 @ 5:13 pm