Dupri Sets Sail for Island

Los Angeles (E! Online) - Jermaine Dupri has just been voted on the Island.

The Grammy-winning producer-rapper has been named president of Island Records Urban Music, a newly created division within the Island Def Jam Music Group, it was announced today.

The deal reteams the 34-year-old artist with IDJ's CEO and chairman, Antonio "L.A." Reid, the former head of Arista Records. Reid ran Arista when that company distributed Dupri's label, So So Def Records.

Dupri will split time between his native Atlanta and New York, overseeing the imprint, scouring for new talent and producing various artists within the Island Def Jam family and the entire Universal Music Group.

He also brings with him So So—the label focusing on Southern-fried hip-hop and R&B that has launched the likes of Kriss Kross (and their ubiquitous 1992 hit "Jump"), Bow Wow and most recently Dem Franchize Boyz.

"Jermaine's career has grown from strength to strength over the years," Reid said. "His deep ties to Atlanta's creative R&B and hip-hop community have been the springboard to working with the greatest names in contemporary music. This is a tremendous step forward for Island Records and its established roster of artists who will benefit enormously from Jermaine's presence."

As a performer, Dupri has scored such hits as "Money Ain't a Thing" featuring Jay-Z and "Welcome to Atlanta" with Ludacris. He's written and produced chart-topping fare for

Alicia Keys, Destiny's Child, Usher and

Mariah Carey (he's credited with helping forge her comeback by producing 2005's Grammy-winning The Emancipation of Mimi), as well as longtime companion

Janet Jackson.

As a music exec, Dupri partnered with Columbia Records/Sony to launch So So Def label in 2000, but moved the imprint over to Arista in 2003, when he became senior vice president during Reid's tenure. However, when his friend and mentor exited the company after music giant BMG took control, Dupri went on to become head of Virgin's Urban Music operation in 2005.

After Reid came aboard at Island, it didn't take long for him to lure Dupri, who quit Virgin in October.

"I'm so excited to be reunited with L.A. Reid because most of my biggest hits were when he and I worked together," Dupri said in a statement. "I can't wait for us to start stuntin' on y'all."