Jermaine Dupri Booted From Universal

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(Jan. 9) - Jermaine Dupri was unceremoniously let go from Universal Music on Thursday. Dupri, who served as president of Island Records Urban Music division, basically collected a paycheck but didn't show up to work for several months. "After [his girlfriend] Janet Jackson's album and tour bombed, he didn't come back to work... he just lost heart," sources told Page Six.

While executives tried to talk to Dupri about his performance, nothing changed. "He didn't bother to do anything that he was supposed to do, like find artists, release records or actually show up," sources said.

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Janet Jackson in Action

** FILE ** In this Sept. 23, 2008 file photo, singer Janet Jackson and record producer Jermaine Dupri arrive at a private party celebrating Dupri's 36th birthday in New York. (AP Photo/Andy Kropa, file)

** FILE ** In this Oct. 17, 2008 file photo, Janet Jackson performs in a concert during her "Rock Witchu" tour in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, file)

(FILES) US singer Janet Jackson (L) has her breast exposed while singing with Justin Timberlake (R) during the half-time of Super Bowl XXXVIII at Reliant Stadium in this February 1, 2004 file photo in Houston, Texas. The US government has asked the Supreme Court to reimpose a half-million-dollar fine slapped on CBS television for a 2004 broadcast of live images of pop star Janet Jackson's breast, court documents obtained by AFP show. It is up to the Supreme Court to decide whether it will consider the request. Prosecutors are asking the high court justices to weigh in on a case that raised eyebrows and stirred passions in the United States, where nudity on non-pay television is a no-no in advertising, while rare and limited to late-night hours in television series. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Singer Janet Jackson attends the landmark Grand Opening of Atlantis, The Palm Resort, and the Palm Jumeirah on November 20, 2008 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com

Singer Janet Jackson and producer Jermaine Dupri attend the landmark Grand Opening of Atlantis, The Palm Resort, and the Palm Jumeirah on November 20, 2008 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com

Jermaine Dupri, Janet Jackson and Sir Richard Branson attend the landmark Grand Opening of Atlantis, The Palm Resort, and the Palm Jumeirah on November 20, 2008 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 20: Jermaine Dupri and Janet Jackson at the Grand Opening of Palm Jumeirah and its flagship Atlantis, the Palm Resort at the Palm Jumeirah Island on November 20, 2008 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images for Atlantis, The Palm) *** Local Caption *** Jermaine Dupri;Janet Jackson

Getty Images for Atlantis, The P

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 20: Janet Jackson watches the unprecedented pyrotechnics and illumination at the Grand Opening of Palm Jumeirah and its flagship Atlantis, the Palm Resort at the Palm Jumeirah Island on November 20, 2008 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images for Atlantis, The Palm) *** Local Caption *** Janet Jackson

Getty Images for Atlantis, The P

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 20: Jermaine Dupri and Janet Jackson (L) at the Grand Opening of Palm Jumeirah and its flagship Atlantis, the Palm Resort at the Palm Jumeirah Island on November 20, 2008 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images for Atlantis, The Palm) *** Local Caption *** Jermaine Dupri;Janet Jackson

Getty Images for Atlantis, The P

Singer Janet Jackson performs in concert at Madison Square Garden on November 1, 2008 in New York City.

Joe Kohen/WireImage.com

His departure follows shortly after Jackson broke ties with Island Def Jam after her latest album, 'Discipline,' posted disappointing sales of less than 500,000.

According to Page Six, "Dupri was widely blamed for Jackson's album flop as he insisted on letting her get her way on song selection and production."

A rep for Dupri's boss, Island/Def Jam head L.A. Reid, declined to comment.

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2009-01-09 10:47:33

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