Atlanta producer Jermaine Dupri tells why he quit as President of Virgin Records

Jermaine Dupri has stepped down as President of urban music at Virgin Records, following less-than-impressive sales of his girlfriend Janet Jackson’s latest comeback album…

Jermaine Dupri has stepped down as President of urban music at Virgin Records, following less-than-impressive sales of his girlfriend Janet Jackson’s latest comeback album, “20 Y.O,” which Dupri co-executive produced.

“Since there are so many rumors running rampant about my position at Virgin Records, I feel that it is necessary to set the record straight,” Dupri stated. “I was not forced out of the company, I made a decision that it was in my best interest to leave.”

Dupri was appointed to the position of President of Urban Music at Virgin Records in January 2005. Since then, his signings have included Dem Franchize Boyz; he also pacted with OutKast member Big Boi’s Purple Ribbon imprint.

As for “20 Y.O.,” it made it to No. 2 on The Billboard 200 last month but sold under 500,000 copies to date, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Sales of 20 Y.O. dropped almost 80% the second week and by the third week, the album sold just under 50,000 copies.